WINCHESTER, Va. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District commander Col. Jon Christensen presented senior engineer Philip Dinello with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in a ceremony on July 12.
Dinello, who retired in February, had 40 years of federal service, 30 years of which was spent with the Corps of Engineers in Winchester where he held several leadership positions. During this time, he was responsible for design and construction of billions of dollars worth of facilities throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.
In these leadership positions, Dinello served as chief of Construction Management Branch, chief of the Air Force Foreign Military Sales Branch, chief of Installation Support Division, chief of Facilities Support Division, and as deputy chief of Engineering Division.
"Since January 1997, he has voluntarily served as the district Career Field 18 Intern Program coordinator which allowed him to recruit and place more than 40 new engineers and architects within the Corps of Engineers," according to his award nomination.
"His significant engineering, construction, and management contributions have greatly impacted thousands of U.S. and Coalition service members serving in the Gulf Region including those serving in current overseas contingency operations," the award states.
The Meritorious Civilian Service Award is the second highest award and medal granted by the Secretary of the Army to civilian personnel who have demonstrated great initiatives or accomplished duties in an exemplary manner.
"This is a high honor and I greatly appreciate it," said Dinello. "I also appreciate everyone's help and support. These accomplishments are not done by just one person but by many."
“This is a high honor and I greatly appreciate it,” said Dinello. “I also appreciate everyone’s help and support. These accomplishments are not done by just one person but by many.”