Six U.S. Army Corps of Engineers senior leaders were among 22 Army employees who received Presidential Rank Awards in a July 29 ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The awards are the most prestigious recognitions afforded to executive and senior professionals.
The recipients were nominated by the Secretary of the Army, evaluated by boards of private citizens, and approved by the president. They were picked for producing results as leaders, or for high achievements in their professional, technical or scientific roles.
Secretary of the Army Pete Geren presented each recipient with one of three awards -- Distinguished Executive Rank Award, Meritorious Executive Rank Award, or Meritorious Senior Professional Rank Award.
"The Army is truly fortunate to have these leaders of the highest caliber, dedicated and selfless leaders who are innovative and who are present in shaping the Army of the future," Geren said. "They have inspired us and made the Army institution better."
Six USACE members received the Meritorious Executive Rank Award, given to only 5 percent of career Senior Executive Service employees. They are:
Dr. Lester Dixon, director of programs for South Atlantic Division
Karen Durham-Aguilera, director of Task Force Hope, Mississippi Valley Division
Dr. Jeffery Holland, deputy director of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Wesley Miller, chief financial officer and director of Resource Management at Headquarters
Patricia Rivers, chief of the Military Programs Integration Division at Headquarters, and
Michael White, director of programs management for the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division.
"The Army and the nation benefit daily from their extraordinary efforts," said Maj. Gen. Don Riley, deputy chief of engineers and deputy commanding general of USACE. "These people represent the best of the Corps, and the best of the Army. They set the standard for our profession."
Five senior leaders received the Distinguished Executive Rank Award, given to just 1 percent of career SES members; 16 leaders, including the six from the Corps, received the Meritorious Executive Rank Awards; and one person received the Meritorious Senior Professional Rank Award.
Candy Walters of the USACE Public Affairs Office contributed to this article.
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