Dr. David W. Pittman was named as Director of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in an announcement March 16 from Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
As ERDC Director, Pittman manages one of the most diverse research organizations in the world, including seven laboratories located in four states, with more than 2,100 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual program exceeding $1 billion.
In addition to his responsibilities as ERDC Director, Pittman also serves as Director of Research and Development and Chief Scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In this role, he is responsible for creating and shaping policy, and performing R&D strategic planning, direction and oversight for the Corps’ Military and Civil Works programs, and for the Warfighter. He advises the
Chief of Engineers on matters of science and technology and sets conditions for success in all S&T conducted in the Corps.
Pittman first joined ERDC in 1983 as a research civil engineer in the Pavements Systems Division in Vicksburg, Mississippi. In his more than three decades with ERDC, he has served in numerous research and leadership roles. He was selected as the first
Deputy Director of the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory in 2000. Pittman was selected to the Senior Executive Service in January 2005, at which time he became Director of GSL. During his tenure, Pittman led ERDC’s award-winning Military Engineering business area, developing life-saving force protection and innovative force projection technologies. He also served a tour in Afghanistan in 2012-2013 as Director of the Joint Programs Integration Office, U.S. Forces Afghanistan.
Prior to his assuming his current position, Dr. Pittman served as the ERDC Deputy Director from April 2015 to March 2017.
Pittman has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University, as well as a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a previous recipient of the Presidential Rank Award (Meritorious), the Federal Laboratory Consortium Lab Director of the Year Award and the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
He is a member of several professional engineering societies, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Society of American Military Engineers, The American Concrete Institute and the International Society for Concrete Pavements. He serves on several technical committees and has published numerous technical reports and papers. He is a registered professional engineer in Mississippi.
“To say that I am humbled by the privilege to serve in this capacity is an understatement. This organization has been so very good to me, and I am proud to lead the professional, dedicated men and women who make ERDC truly great,” Pittman said.
ERDC’s research and development supports the Department of Defense and other agencies in military and civilian projects. Principal mission areas include military engineering, geospatial research and engineering, civil works and water resources, and environmental quality and installations. Research is conducted in many diverse areas, including airfields and pavements, compliance and conservation, environmental impacts, environmental quality, facilities engineering, flood control, geotechnical engineering and geosciences, geospatial data, hydropower, installation restoration, information technology, mapping, materials, mobility, navigation, oceanography, protective structures, recreation, regulatory functions, structural engineering, sustainment engineering, topography, and winter climatic conditions.