Spotlight on USACE Galveston District's Adrian Ramos

Published Sept. 17, 2012

PORT ISABEL, Texas - When U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District Civil Engineer Adrian Ramos decided to pursue a career in engineering, he knew his ideal choice of employment would allow him to remain hands-on in the field. Armed with distinct goals and a passion to serve, Ramos found a natural fit with the USACE Galveston District’s Engineering and Construction Division.

Now a year into his current position as the office engineer in the district’s Rio Grande Valley Resident Office, Ramos plays a critical role in helping to maintain more than 130 miles of deep and shallow draft channels from Brownsville to the Lower Laguna Madre and is responsible for overseeing construction projects for both the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Border Patrol.

“My primary role is to support our project engineers with major modifications, independent government estimates and contract administration,” said Ramos. “I also serve as an operations and project manager on several construction sites including the Brownsville Armed Forces Reserve Center.”

In addition to his love of engineering, Ramos is a staunch advocate of the Texas Master Naturalist Program, which provides educational and outreach services aimed at the better management of natural resources within communities. 

“I volunteer with Sea Turtle Inc., an organization dedicated to restoring the population of the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle,” said Ramos. “I’m part of their sea turtle patrols and we search the beaches during turtle nesting season to find nesting turtles, harvest the eggs, incubate and hatch them safely.”

Ramos also volunteers numerous off-duty hours with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge to give residents and visitors informative guided kayak tours.

“During kayaking tours, I’m able to talk with people and educate them about the Laguna Madre,” said Ramos. “I also talk about the Corps’ efforts to protect and restore the environment.”

Ramos earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M in 1986; the Project Management Professional credential from the Project Management Institute in 2000; became a Texas Master Naturalist in 2012; earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional Building Design and Construction certificate (LEED AP BD+C) from the U.S. Green Building Council and is a Certified Professional Estimator. Ramos is currently working toward earning a Professional Engineer license. 

A native of San Antonio, Texas, he enjoys kayak fishing and participating in drum circles during his spare time. Ramos is married to Barbara Alvarado. They have five children and four grandchildren.