Deputy district engineer earns Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer certification; named diplomate of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers

Published April 18, 2014
GALVESTON, Texas (April 18, 2014) – Dr. Edmond J. Russo Jr., P.E., D.CE, D.NE, deputy district engineer for Programs and Project Management for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, was named a Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE) of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE), a subsidiary of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) after earning the certification Tuesday.

The AAWRE’s certification was developed to improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the profession of water resources engineers. The D.WRE certification is the highest post-license certification available in the water resources engineering profession and it is an accredited program by The Council of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards.

“I am honored to have been granted the D.WRE certification by the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers," said Russo. "It represents a lifelong pursuit of engineering excellence, which I look forward to devoting to the Galveston District in leading change as we overcome challenges and pursue opportunities for delivering mission-based value to the nation and region.”

Russo was selected to fill the highest attainable civilian position in the district in January 2014 to oversee the concept to delivery of $350 million in district projects and services annually to include navigation, coastal risk reduction, ecosystem restoration, regulatory functions, emergency operations, military construction and international and interagency services mission areas.

According to Russo, who joins the ranks of more than 600 professional engineers worldwide have earned this credential, the D.WRE represents strong professional ethics, a commitment to life-long learning and continuing professional development.

"From the human capital perspective, the district promotes advancing the profession of water resources engineering and continued professional development for engineers, as well as other fields of professional development and credentials for our workforce," Russo said. "These credentials represent peer-recognized professional acumen, which is an enabler in supporting the district’s mission of providing vital public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen our nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters.”

A native of New Orleans, Russo graduated from Louisiana State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with a geotechnical engineering emphasis from University of New Orleans in 1997. From 2002 to 2005, Russo completed doctoral course work at Tulane University. Following the closure of Tulane University after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he transferred his doctoral studies to Louisiana State University and completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering with a coastal engineering emphasis in 2009.

Russo is a licensed professional engineer in Louisiana and is a board-certified Diplomate in Coastal Engineering and Navigation Engineering of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port and Navigation Engineers. He is a 1999 graduate of the Army Management Staff College. Additionally, he serves as vice chair and secretary of the Environmental Commission, Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses, which supports international development and distribution of technical information on contemporary topics for sustainable navigation infrastructure management practice.

To read Russo’s biography visit http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/About/Leadership/BioArticleView/tabid/2249/Article/480593/dr-edmond-j-russo-jr.aspx. For news and information, visit www.swg.usace.army.mil. Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.


Release no. 140409