Bartlett native named Naval Facilities Command’s Architect & Interior Designer of the Year
Bartlett native Charles Madary has been named 2025’s Architect, Landscape Architect & Interior Designer of the Year for the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC).
He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and has worked at NAVFAC for 14 years.
“This award is truly the highest honor of my career,” Madary said in a statement. “I am elated by the encouragement of my wonderful colleagues, humbled by the quality of the nominees, and inspired by this community’s dedication to craft and service to country,”
Madary was promoted from senior architect to branch design director at Public Works Department Great Lakes. There he served as project, design and construction facilitator for a $120 million public-private venture Navy housing project.
The Northwest suburban native also led the facility structural inspection program at Great Lakes, covering 100 buildings in under a year.
Madary further served as the primary point of contact for a $132 million firefighter trainer military construction project at Great Lakes, and was lead architect for a $27 million Naval Station Great Lakes water treatment plant project.
He’s been praised for his mentorship and professional development, demonstrated by his design of a two-week onboarding schedule for new employees and creating an architectural job shadowing program for high school students.
“His leadership, technical expertise and commitment to excellence had a direct and positive impact on NAVFAC and the Architect, Landscape Architect & Interior Designer community,” NAVFAC Commander, and Chief of Civil Engineers Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey said of Madary in a statement.
“This award speaks volumes to the wealth of expertise Charles brings to MIDLANT and the entire NAVFAC enterprise,” added NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Commanding Officer Capt. Ryan Carey. “He was selected from a group of exceptional candidates. I look forward to more great contributions from him in the future.”
NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic provides facilities engineering, public works and environmental products and services from South Carolina to Maine, as far west as Illinois and down to Indiana.