Romano Caturegli, property book officer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division, recently retired after more than 49 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
After emigrating to the U.S. from Italy at age 19, Caturegli enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Saigon, South Vietnam from 1964 to 1965. After several tours, including the 53rd Signal Battalion, the 15th Field Artillery and the U.S. Army Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee Program, Caturegli retired as an Army staff sergeant with 24 years of active duty, Army Reserve and National Guard experience.
After his retirement, Caturegli went to work overseas for USACE. He spent eight years in Saudi Arabia supervising the maintenance of coded mechanized work centers for the expansion of the Saudi National Guard, and five years in West Germany managing various transportation fleets.
After returning stateside in 1980, he had various assignments to include USACE Savannah District, where he served in the chief of general services branch; Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, Calif., where he established the Missile Exchange Program; Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nev., where he served as chief administration officer, managing security and manpower for the 554th Civil Engineering Squadron; and at the USACE Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss., where he served as the Chief of Logistics in support of 1,700 personnel.
In 1988, Caturegli joined the USACE, Los Angeles District, as the chief of supply management branch. After logistics support was consolidated in 2007, Caturegli became property book officer at SWD.
“The most rewarding thing about working for the Southwestern Division was reaching goals and achieving results in the property accountability area for all of the Division and providing the customers with the best possible support,” said Caturegli.
As property book officer, Caturegli was in charge of inventory, property and storage management for all Districts and project sites within SWD. Additionally, he served on numerous National Logistics Emergency Response Teams and Logistics Planning and Response Teams in support of disasters such as the Northridge Earthquake, Hurricane George and Hurricane Ike.
“A prime example of Romano’s dedication is the support he provided to remote project site managers in the areas of supply discipline and property accountability. He has continued to develop a reputation for being mission focused and results oriented in all of his assignments,” said Ron Richards, regional logistics manager, SWD.
Caturegli traveled to multiple sites throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana to work with project managers to reconcile hand receipt accounts and develop a property book baseline. This project required long hours and extensive temporary duty, which Caturegli volunteered for without question. His efforts directly led to the addition of more than 12,500 items of newly accountable property worth an estimated $40 million.
“His service and dedication are unquestionable and his work ethic is unparalleled,” added Richards.
Many customers, stakeholders, and other District/Division personnel relied on Caturegli’s expertise and guidance on supply projects and issues. He provided guidance through many complex issues and his counsel was sought by many within and outside SWD.
“He has been a legend in the logistics community, and has had positive and lasting impact on the Southwestern Division and the Corps of Engineers,” said Richards.