August 6, 2026
OPS & REG COP 2026 National Awards
It is always an honor to recognize the many talented Operations and Regulatory teammates across our Communities of Practice. Each year we recognize our People who have made particularly important contributions to our missions over the past year.

Pls join me to recognize and thank the 2026 selectees in each of our eight categories.

National Resource Management:
Mr. Aaron Wahus (Savannah District), Operations Project Manager, is this year's Natural Resource Management (NRM) Employee of the Year. The Chief of Engineer's NRM Employee of the Year program recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of natural resources management exemplifying the USACE commitment to natural resources stewardship, environmental compliance, and recreation management, as well as demonstrated leadership and commitment to the USACE natural resources management community.

Ms. Michelle Briggs (Detroit District), Lead Park Ranger, is this year's winner of the Hiram M. Chittenden Award for Interpretive Excellence. The Chief of Engineer's Hiram M. Chittenden Award for Interpretive Excellence program recognizes outstanding achievement using interpretation to enhance public understanding of the USACE, prompting positive experiences and attitudes, and encouraging voluntary stewardship of natural, cultural, and created resources.

Navigation:
Ryan Johnson (Nashville District), Lock and Dam Equipment Mechanic Supervisor, Guntersville Lock, is this year's winner of the Castle Award. The Castle Award recognizes an outstanding Wage Grade employee who exemplifies superior public service, technical knowledge, and professionalism in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance Program and our vital Civil Works Infrastructure.

Ryan Reich (Mobile District), Chief, Inland Navigation and Infrastructure Section, Technical Support Branch, Operations Division is this year's winner of the Inland Navigation Manager of the Year Award. This award recognizes an outstanding Corps individual who has exhibited professionalism and a commitment to excellence in execution of the inland navigation program. It is based on demonstrating outstanding competence, initiative, and resourcefulness used to accomplish the Navigation mission. navigation program. The award is based on demonstrated outstanding competence, initiative, and resourcefulness used to accomplish the Navigation mission.

Monica Chasten (Philadelphia District), Navigation Project Manager, is this year's winner of the Coastal Navigation Manager of the Year Award. This award recognizes an outstanding Corps individual who has exhibited professionalism and a commitment to excellence in execution of the coastal navigation program. The award is based on demonstrated outstanding competence, initiative, and resourcefulness used to accomplish the Navigation mission.

Regulatory:
Margaret Crawford (Buffalo District), Biologist, is this year's winner of the Don Lawyer Award for Regulator of the Year. This award recognizes the superior achievement by a non- supervisory regulatory employee and his or her contribution to maintaining the integrity of the Regulatory Program.

The New England District Nationwide Permit Project Delivery Team, Project Managers: Birdie Budnik Senior Project Manager [SPM]/Team Lead, Paul Silva (SPM), Elizabeth Waterhouse (SPM), Katelyn Rainville (SPM), Mike Adams (SPM), Rick Kristoff (SPM), Amanda Sayles (SPM), Mason Gamble (SPM/CWA 401 SME), and Nancy Komulainen-Dillenburg (Cultural Resources Program Manager) were selected as this year's winner of the National Regulatory Team of the Year. This award acknowledges a group of two or more staff that created or improved a process, partnership or tool, or completed a particular task that improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the USACE Regulatory Program.

Zachary T. Fry (Baltimore District), Biologist, is this year's winner of the National Early Career Regulator of the Year. This award acknowledges an individual within the first five years of entering the Regulatory Program who has exhibited professionalism and a commitment to excellence that advances the USACE Regulatory Program.

All nominees are deserving of recognition for their contributions to the Operations and Regulatory Community of Practice, the USACE, and the Nation. Thank you to everyone who participated in the nomination of these exceptional individuals for these awards.

Vr,
Steve

STEPHEN L HILL, PMP, SES

Back to E-mails and Memos