El Concilio profile: Capt. Lawrence Vasquez

Capt. Lawrence Vasquez

Capt. Lawrence Vasquez, commanding officer of Naval Base Ventura County, is a native of the Bronx, New York. His parents and grandparents were born and raised in “La Isla de Encanto,” Puerto Rico.

Vasquez is being recognized for his collaborative leadership role with the Department of Health and Human Services with refugee children from Latin America, advocating and ensuring adequate housing and support for these unaccompanied children.

In his nomination letter, he stated “This award is really a recognition of the hard working and amazing staff at Naval Base Ventura County, YOUR Navy base. When tasked by the Secretary of Defense, they came together in a few weeks to support the Department of Health and Human Services in the care of thousands of unaccompanied children crossing our southern borders in what the President of the United States declared was an urgent humanitarian crisis. The staff turned an empty and underutilized warehouse once used to temporarily house sailors headed for Iraq and Afghanistan, into a facility that was safe, secure and welcoming to children that had traveled thousands of miles and endured hardships to realize the American dream.  The community in Ventura County, especially the Latino community, rallied to support the care of the children at the facility at Naval Base Port Hueneme.  The services provided by nonprofits organizations like El Concilio and local government organizations including the Ventura County medical staff were critical in the successful completion of the support mission to the Department of Health and Human Services.“

Vasquez took command of Naval Base Ventura County in February 2011. NBVC, the largest employer in Ventura County with 19,000 active-duty and reserve military, civilian and contractor personnel, contributed $2 billion in total economic activity to the region and about 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Vasquez earned his master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three gold stars), Navy Achievement Medal (two gold stars), Combat Action ribbon and various unit and campaign awards. Vasquez served as Commander, Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah Afghanistan, a joint team of military and civilian personnel charged with extending the reach of the government of Afghanistan through reconstruction, development, governance and security.

He was awarded the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) “Excellence in Military Service” award in 2004.

ln 2014, Naval Base Ventura County was honored with the Navy Region Southwest 2015 lnstallation Excellence Award and will go on to compete  at the Commander Navy lnstallations Command (CNIC) level. NBVC received $110,000 in Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (SRM) funds.