James M. (Mike) Walls, Operations Manager

As Operations Manager, Mike Walls manages the day-to-day operations of over $14 million in both Electrical and General Construction contract work for Bay Electric. He supervises the company’s Project Managers, manages the Design phase of the company’s Design/Build contracts, and assists with the human resource management for the company.

 Mike joined Bay Electric in 2003, bringing to the company over 36 years of engineering experience with the U.S. Navy. He spent the first 15 years of his naval career as an Electrical Engineer in the Shipboard Electrical Design section of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.  As a Shipboard Designer, he was an expert on shipboard electrical systems that included turbine generators, diesel generators, 400HZ motor generators and electrical distribution systems.

In 1981, Mike switched careers, moving to the Atlantic Division of Naval Facilities Engineering Command. In this capacity, he was not only able to use his hands-on technical abilities, but, after the appropriate training, he became a Warranted Contracting Officer while serving as the Chief Engineer at Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Va. 

 Mike served in similar capacities at the ROICC Steam Plant and the ROICC Norfolk Naval Shipyard, both located in Portsmouth. As Chief Engineer at these offices, he was responsible for numerous multi-million dollar projects that included the construction of steam plants, plating facilities, pier construction and runway repairs. He also served as the senior civilian supervisor at each office.

 From 1999 until 2003, Mike was the Chief Engineer for the Construction Office at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth. In this role, he was responsible for the $47 million total renovation of a 15 story building – converting the building from a hospital to a combination of clinics, schools, offices, etc.  Also, while there, he oversaw the $18 million renovation of the Navy’s oldest hospital.

 Other projects he completed at the Naval Hospital included the installation of a 20 ton chiller and associated cooling tower, upgrading the medical air, vacuum and kidney dialysis systems, repairing sea walls, and adding anti-terrorism modifications to the facility.

Mike, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, has a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Virginia. 

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