Errett named Hydrology, Hydraulics and Coastal Community of Practice Professional of the Year

Published April 20, 2017
St. Louis District Hydraulic engineer and Water manager received the 2017 Hydrology, Hydraulics and Coastal Community of Practice Professional of the Year award for the positive impact his service and water management expertise has had on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the region, and the nation.

St. Louis District Hydraulic engineer and Water manager received the 2017 Hydrology, Hydraulics and Coastal Community of Practice Professional of the Year award for the positive impact his service and water management expertise has had on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the region, and the nation.

St. Louis – St. Louis District Hydraulic engineer and Water manager received the 2017 Hydrology, Hydraulics and Coastal Community of Practice Professional of the Year award for the positive impact his service and water management expertise has had on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the region, and the nation.

Russell Errett began his career with the District at the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton, Ill., as a Park Ranger, and has been instrumental in monitoring and managing low and high water events including the floods in 2008, 2011, winter 2015-2016 and the historic drought of 2012-2013.

"Russ’ commitment to the St. Louis District has helped get us through some tough situations,” said Joan Stemler, St. Louis District chief of Water Control Operations. “But his support to the Mississippi Valley Division and other USACE Districts has impacted the water management community throughout the nation."

Always looking to extend support and step outside his District boundaries, Errett provided critical water management support to the Galveston District during their most recent historic flood event.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to deploy and support the people in Galveston,” said Errett. “It’s not something that a lot of Water Management professionals get to do.”

In addition to his boundless duties with the St. Louis District, Mr. Errett is also a vital member of numerous national teams including the Forecast Evaluation and Improvement Team; Modeling, Mapping, & Consequence Production Center; National Implementation Support Team; and the USACE Water Management Implementation Support Team Forecasting Project Development Team.

With the increase in Corps' Water Management System watersheds being developed, the need for expertise in implementing these systems is critical.

Always looking to lend a helping hand, Errett recently joined the CWMS Implementation Support Team where he orchestrated and led a workshop that focused on addressing the needs of Corps of Engineers' District offices and enhancing their skillsets through first-hand application of the water management tools. If that wasn't enough, he also developed a PROSPECT workshop and training for using these tools.

"Mr. Errett has consistently demonstrated excellence for water resource engineering within the USACE HH&C Community of Practice. His exceptional dedication and work ethic has positively impacted the region and Nation. The selfless service nature of his actions clearly demonstrate and personify the qualities for which the HH&C CoP Professional of the Year Award was founded upon," Sean Smith, USACE Hydrology, Hydraulics and Coastal Community of Practice leader said.

To receive this award requires the utmost dedication to your profession which Mr. Errett has displayed time and time again. Since, the announcement of the winner, Mr. Errett has been busy leading various Water Management models, workshops, and trainings. Leaving little time to reflect on his accomplishment as Professional of the Year.

“The magnitude of this award hasn’t sunk in yet, but it is an honor to be the first recipient of this award and to have competed against so many distinguished professionals,” said Errett.

Contact
Amanda Kruse
314-331-8095
Amanda.L.Kruse@usace.army.mil

Release no. 17-021