PORT ARTHUR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project
- Deputy District Engineer, Programs and Project Management
Byron D. Williams serves as the Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, a position he assumed in February 2021.
A 24-year USACE veteran, Mr. Williams currently oversees concept-to-delivery of projects and services in an area spanning 50,000 square miles of the Texas coast from Louisiana to Mexico, encompassing 16 congressional districts. He leads a $4.5 billion program of feasibility studies, assessments, engineering, design, construction projects and related services and helps the Galveston District sustain navigation economics that are vital to the nation, while managing coastal risk reduction, ecosystem restoration, regulatory functions, emergency operations, and military construction mission areas.
Prior to accepting his current position, Mr. Williams served as the Chief of Project Management in the Galveston District since December of 2016. During his time in project management, Williams was integral in achieving project authorizations for improvement to the Houston Ship Channel and a $1.5 billion project for the Sabine-Neches Waterway. His most recent duties as chief of project management included coordinating the planning, scope, development, design, and construction of all major projects within the Galveston District's Civil Works portfolio.
He has been a USACE employee since 1996. His background consists of extensive experience within the Corps of Engineers, ranging from quality assurance/quality construction field engineer, planning lead, continuing authorities program manager, senior project manager.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Southern University in 1995. He is a Certified Project Management Professional and a graduate of Army Management Staff College.
Job Titles:
- District Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District
Colonel Blackmon took command of the Galveston District on July 15, 2022. Prior to accepting his current assignment, Colonel Blackmon completed a U.S. Army War College Fellowship at the University of Washington, in Seattle, Washington While in Seattle, Colonel Blackmon engaged with students and faculty on a range of Indo-Pacific security and policy issues. He also conducted independent research on ways that the Department of Defense and Army could leverage infrastructure investment to increase access and influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Colonel Blackmon's previously served in tactical assignments starting as a platoon leader in 65th Engineer Battalion and 73rd Engineer Company at Fort Lewis, Washington. He served as the personnel officer and Bravo Company Commander with the 44th Engineer Battalion in Korea, Ar Ramadi, Iraq, and Fort Carson, Colorado. Later at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Colonel Blackmon served as a division facilities and construction officer (Afghanistan) and battalion S3 with the 82nd Airborne Division and as a battalion and brigade executive officer with the 20th Engineer Brigade. He commanded the 3rd US Cavalry Regiment's Engineer Squadron at Fort Hood, Texas and in northern Iraq. Colonel Blackmon later commanded the Engineer Battalion in the recently formed 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, deploying teams to partner with security forces in Mongolia, Nepal, Fiji, Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Between tactical assignments, Colonel Blackmon served as the USACE Memphis District Deputy Commander. He also served as an instructor and assistant professor at the United States Military Academy where he taught mechanics of materials and soil mechanics for the Civil Engineering program.
Colonel Blackmon's civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Citadel, and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, the Infantry Captains' Career Course, and Intermediate Level Education qualification from the Command and General Staff College. He has complete tactical schools to include Ranger School, the Sapper Leader Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Jumpmaster School.
Colonel Blackmon's previous unit awards include the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, and Army Superior Unit Award. His campaign recognitions include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, and NATO Medal.
Colonel Blackmon's additional awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Bronze Order of the DeFleury Medal, the Bronze Order of Saint George Medal, and the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award.
Job Titles:
- Deputy District Commander
Maj. Eugene "Gene" E. Roberts serves as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District's Deputy District Commander, a position he has held since January 10, 2023. In this role, he leads engagement with partners and projects in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and coordinates efforts across support staff to support the district's mission. He also leads military manning requirements and engagements with USACE Headquarters.
Maj. Roberts has served in various operational staff and leadership positions throughout his Army career. His most recent positions are Executive Officer for Mega Project Division USACE SWG, Military Resident Engineer for Border Infrastructure Office USACE, Contingency Engineer for Contingency Engineering Management Office USACE Europe District, Construction Project Manager for U.S. Army North at Ft. Sam Houston, Assistant Resource Management Chief for J-5 EUCOM Headquarters in Stuttgart Germany, G3 Exercise planner for U.S. Army South at Ft. Sam Houston.
Early in Maj. Roberts career he served as Platoon Leader and Executive Officer of 342nd Horizontal Engineer Company, 386th Engineer Battalion, 176th Engineer Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, Taskforce engineer for 143 rd Infantry Detachment (Airborne) Forward, where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Garrison Commander at Camp Qargha for the 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Texas Army National Guard, where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Maj. Roberts was commissioned in the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard in September 2007. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management from DeVry University, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Construction Management from Norwich University and holds Project Management Professional credentials. Maj. Roberts is a graduate of the Defense Planner Course at the U.S. Army War College, the Engineer Officer Captains Career Course, and the Basic Course.
His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medals; Army Commendation Medals (3); an Army Achievement Medal; a Humanitarian Service Medal; an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars; and the Parachutist Badge.