DALLAS - Ray Russo, acting director of Regional Business for the Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was recently honored with the presentation of the bronze de Fleury Medal for his superior service to the Army Engineer Regiment and numerous contributions to both the civil works and military programs missions of the Southwestern Division.
The de Fleury Medal is an Engineer Regimental Award presented by the Army Engineer Association to recognize those who make outstanding contributions to Army engineering.
Russo’s award was originally presented in Washington in May by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Kula, Southwestern Division commander, while Russo and Kula were conducting annual congressional visits. It was re-presented to Russo during SWD’s Engineer Day awards ceremony in Dallas this month.
“The halls of Congress were a very fitting location for the presentation of this award,” said Kula, “considering the many efforts that Mr. Russo has made through the years in seeing through significant civil works projects that have brought enduring and tangible benefits to the people and communities of the Southwester Division region."
"He set conditions for success in awarding hundreds of construction projects, and oversaw initiatives in civil works transformation that advanced critical Corps civil works projects,” Kula added. “His influence transcended the division through his co-authorship of the national framework for the budgeting by watershed concept, which will ultimately result in a new budget process Corps-wide.”
During the most recent period of his Army Corps of Engineers career, while serving as the Chief of Civil Works Integration Division, Russo managed the preparation of over 400 civil works projects, including flood risk reduction, navigation, hydropower, water supply contracts and numerous congressional engagements.
His efforts enabled the SWD region to award 36 military construction projects worth $694 million in Fiscal Year 12.
He also led the successful award of the majority of the Fort Polk Land Acquisition project that supports the military training mission at Fort Polk, and the Consolidated Tower, San Antonio Military Medical Center, a world-class hospital facility that supports of the Department of Defense medical program.
Russo also led the charge on civil works transformation, overseeing and managing the development of infrastructure strategies, planning, methods of delivery, and transforming the budget.
His deep reservoir of experience and talent in the civil works arena allowed him to provide insight and guidance in these critical areas that will pave the way to the Corps’ future.
“Mr. Russo’s efforts to devise new and better ways to do business in this changed environment ensures that the Southwestern Division will continue to provide great value to the region and the nation and remain relevant for future generations,” Kula said.
Russo is a graduate of Texas Tech University, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
He is an active member of the Society of American Military Engineers.