A construction representative with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Middle East District, accepted the USACE Hard Hat of the Year award
in a ceremony Aug. 5.
Nic Sison, a construction control representative at the
District’s United Arab Emirates Resident Office, accepted the award which
recognizes excellence in construction quality management.
Sison said he knew he was nominated but realizing he was
receiving the award still came as a pleasant surprise.
“I was very pleased,” he said. “But it was really a team
effort. The credit goes to all the folks I work with.”
Sison’s first USACE assignment in 2011 was on Masirah
Island, Oman, which is one of the most remote locations where USACE personnel
are assigned, and only accessible by ferry barge. He was responsible for
quality assurance for a $19 million runway repair project and two other
projects in other parts of Oman. His projects required extensive travel, and he
fostered relationships with contractors, host nation security and engineering
personnel as well as U.S. Embassy offices. This allowed the project to be
completed in a timely manner despite its challenges.
In 2015, Sison transferred to the UAE resident office, where
he began overseeing three projects that were behind schedule. He has worked to
bring the projects back on schedule, while maintaining a focus on correcting
safety issues with the contractor. He has become known for going above and
beyond the usual scope of his duties to ensure the work is being performed
correctly.
Khaled Masoud, the Oman area engineer, nominated Sison for
the award.
“I looked around my hard-working office and was torn on whom
to nominate for this prestigious award,” he said. “However, I quickly
remembered how much Nic had sacrificed of his family time traveling to remote
areas to execute projects and his willingness to do whatever it takes to get
the job done.”
Masoud said he has known Sison since he was still active
duty in the Air Force, working on Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE, and after Sison
retired, Masoud personally selected him for the UAE team.
“His dedication and apparent high energy level made me
select him to join my team,” he said. “And, since then, his dedication and
energy level have only multiplied.”