by Martie Cenkci
SWD Public Affairs Office
DALLAS — Pete G. Perez has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service by the Secretary of the Army and selected for the position of director of Regional Business for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division.
Perez, who is currently serving as the deputy district engineer for Programs and Project at the Southwestern Division’s Galveston District, recently served in the Regional Business position as the acting Director. His appointment and selection was announced Sept. 4 by Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, Army Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“Mr. Perez brings with him over 27 years of exceptional engineering management expertise,” Bostick said. “Since August 2011, Mr. Perez has served as the Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management for the Galveston District, overseeing Civil Works and International and Interagency Support services, to include the navigation and Civil Works planning efforts in support of the Texas Gulf Coast.”
In his new position, Perez will manage the operations of the Regional Business Center and oversee three divisions: the Business Technical Division, Business Management Division, and Business Resources Division. He will be the lead liaison on efforts between regional boards and functional boards synchronizing activities with a particular focus on regional issues.
Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Kula, SWD commander, said, “We are quite pleased and excited that Mr. Perez will be returning to SWD to lead the Regional Business Directorate. His executive and management skills, coupled with his passion for serving this Nation, will result in huge dividends for our Division as well as the customers and stakeholders we serve.”
Perez previously served as the chief of the Galveston District’s Engineering and Construction Division. While chief, Perez served an eight-month tour in Afghanistan Engineer District-South. Perez was also the former chief of Construction Operations at the Alaska District and was an engineer in the USACE Far East District in Korea. He began his career with the Corps as a project engineer in the Fort Worth District’s San Antonio Area Office.
“I look forward to rejoining SWD and leading the great team that comprises the Regional Business Directorate,” Perez said. “Working together, we can accomplish much to address the challenges facing the Army Corps of Engineers and the Nation.”
A registered professional engineer in the State of Texas, Perez earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1985 from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science in 1997 from the University of Texas at San Antonio in Environmental Management, and is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level II certified. He is also Facilities Engineering Level III certified.
In 2002, Perez was recognized with the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Award, earned a 2002 Professional Achievement Award from Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference, received a Department of the Army Superior Civilian Award in 2008 and 2010, and earned the prestigious Bronze de Fleury Medal in 2008.
The Senior Executive Service is comprised of the men and women serving as the civilian executives of the Federal Government. They hold the key positions just below the top Presidential appointees, and are the major link between the Presidential Appointees and the rest of the Federal workforce. The Senior Executive Service was established in 1979 as a result of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.