This annual award, determined by a committee composed of former First Citizens from nominations submitted by the public, recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of citizenship through service to the community. This event honoring RADM Hugel is hosted by the Portsmouth Service League and is open to the public. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations from the event have been designated for the STARBASE Victory STEM Program, The Up Center, and the Portsmouth Service League.

Admiral Hugel was born and raised in Mansfield, OH before attending the United States Naval Academy, graduating in June 1977. He earned two engineering master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992. He served as a naval officer for 32 years, including three separate tours of duty at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth. After retiring from the Navy in 2009, he returned to Portsmouth and began employment with CACI International, Inc., where he was selected to lead CACI’s Norfolk office. He remains a part-time employee with CACI, providing strategy and business development advisory services.

Admiral Hugel’s charitable contributions and civic involvement throughout the years have touched the lives of many area residents, most notably in Portsmouth. He serves as a voluntary board member of the STARBASE Victory STEM program, a member of the Portsmouth Public Schools Career & Technical Education Advisory Committee, and Chairman of the Board of Directors at The Up Center, and he has represented Portsmouth on the Tidewater Community College Board of Directors. He currently serves on the Portsmouth City Council, and as City Council Liaison to the Portsmouth Mayor’s Military Affairs Committee, Portsmouth Planning Commission, Portsmouth Ports and Industrial Commission, and the Virginia Maritime Association. In addition to these engagements, he also served as the national president of the American Society of Naval Engineers for the past four years.

2024 First Citizen of Portsmouth

RADM Mark A. Hugel, USN, Ret