The Navy Lodge at Naval Air Station Patuxent River earned the 2025 Edward E. Carlson Hospitality Award on Oct. 22, 2025, in a ceremony at the Pax River Navy Exchange. Navy Exchange Service Command officials and base leaders presented the recognition to the facility for excelling in guest and associate satisfaction, operational efficiency, quality assessments and financial results among all Navy Lodges.
Retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, chief executive officer of the Navy Exchange Service Command, delivered remarks as the guest speaker. He described the award as a benchmark for superior performance. “The Carlson Award is the gold standard in both operational achievements and premier guest service,” Bianchi said. “It takes hard work, dedication, and team work to be named ‘best of the best’ and earn this award.”
Bianchi noted the lodge’s contributions extend beyond lodging to supporting Navy personnel during transitions. He pointed out that staff interactions often mark the initial welcome for families arriving at new assignments. Capt. Mark Zematis, commanding officer at NAS Patuxent River, addressed the attendees and reinforced that point. “Pax River is the premier research, development, test, and evaluation base for the Navy, and when our service members have the peace of mind knowing that they have a comfortable place to stay with a friendly and dedicated staff working for them while they get settled, it has a real-world positive impact on the mission,” Zematis said. “The work you’re being recognized for today matters and is greatly appreciated.”
Evaluators scored the Pax River Navy Lodge on multiple criteria for the award. It achieved a 95 percent quality assurance rating, 75 percent occupancy, 85 percent guest satisfaction from comment cards and 91 percent associate satisfaction. The site also recorded the Navy’s lowest operating expense per occupied room.
Bianchi singled out several employees for their roles in the achievement during the event. Those honored included General Manager Shamika Ferguson, Nathaniel Coward, Shirley Chase, Treesha Dove, Datavis Berry, Bernadette Barnes, Scott Robery, Morgan Calvo, Jamie Gough and Oxana Schroeder. In his concluding statement, Bianchi expressed confidence in the team’s future. “Looking ahead, I know Navy Lodge Patuxent River will continue to set the standard for excellence in hospitality and service,” he said. “Your commitment to continuous improvement and your dedication to meeting the needs of our military community ensures this Navy Lodge will remain a beacon of excellence for years to come. This may be your first Carlson Award, but I’m sure it won’t be your last.”
The Edward E. Carlson Award derives its name from Edward E. Carlson, a World War II Navy Supply Corps officer who advanced to prominence in the hotel industry. Administered annually by the Navy Exchange Service Command, the program evaluates about 38 Navy Lodge properties worldwide. Previous recipients have included sites at major bases such as Bethesda and Norfolk, with selections based on standardized metrics to promote consistency in military hospitality.
Navy Lodges cater to active-duty members, reservists, retirees, veterans and Department of Defense civilians on official travel, with preference for families in relocation. The Pax River property features spacious rooms and suites with full kitchens, living spaces and conveniences including vending areas, laundry facilities, a fitness center and an outdoor play space for children. Nightly rates begin around $70 for basic accommodations, with options for longer stays. Bookings occur online or by phone at 301-863-618.
NAS Patuxent River covers more than 11,000 acres in St. Mary’s County along the Patuxent River, functioning as the Navy’s primary hub for aircraft testing and development since 1943. The installation employs roughly 23,000 people, blending military, civilian and contractor roles to generate over $5 billion in yearly economic activity for Southern Maryland through payroll, procurement and community spending. This support bolsters local sectors from housing to education, where base families contribute to school enrollments exceeding 1,500 students in St. Mary’s County Public Schools.
In the region, where military relocations affect about 20 percent of personnel each year, lodging options like the Navy Lodge ease adjustments to life in Southern Maryland. The area offers access to natural sites such as Point Lookout State Park for hiking and fishing, alongside community programs through the Fleet and Family Support Center that provide relocation workshops and financial planning. Recent enhancements at Pax River include a renovated welcome center opened in March 2025 to streamline arrivals and a community garden initiative launched in July 2025 to foster connections among newcomers.
The Navy Exchange Service Command oversees the broader Morale, Welfare and Recreation enterprise, which generated $10.2 billion in sales across 300 locations in fiscal 2024 to fund service member benefits without taxpayer dollars. Within this, Navy Lodges emphasize affordability and reliability, with occupancy trends showing peaks during summer PCS seasons when thousands transfer through Pax River. Staff training covers topics from cultural sensitivity for diverse arrivals to emergency protocols, ensuring compliance with Department of Defense standards for temporary housing.