VICKSBURG, Miss.—The Waterways Experiment Station (WES) Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees has welcomed its newest member to the elite group.
Dr. Todd S. Bridges, former senior research scientist for environmental science at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory, was inducted into the group during ERDC’s annual induction ceremony Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at the ERDC Headquarters Auditorium.
Bridges joined ERDC in 1992 as a research biologist and, in 1998, became the research lead for ERDC’s Ecotoxicology and Environmental Risk team, a role in which he served until 2003. He then became the director of the Center for Contaminated Sediments. From 2006 until his retirement in 2023, he served as senior research scientist for environmental sciences at ERDC and program manager for the Dredging Operations Environment Research Program (DOER). In 2010, he served as the founder and national lead for the Engineer with Nature (EWN) Initiative.
One of only 40 senior research scientists in the Department of the Army, Bridges developed and implemented state-of-the-art technologies and discoveries throughout his 30 years with ERDC. He published over 60 journal articles, 40 technical publications, three dozen keynote speeches, seminars, and workshops, and multiple books, book chapters and other award-winning research products. In his role as a senior research scientist, Bridges led multiple international collaborations that furthered the use of natural and nature-based features (NNBF), including overseeing the publication of more than 250 research products, the start of a successful international podcast, and the creation of a global community of researchers, practitioners, and educators. He also led the development of the EWN Proving Grounds, which implement EWN and NNBF approaches to civil and military infrastructure.
Becoming the 117th inductee into the WES Gallery and having his photo placed on the wall among some of ERDC’s finest are proud moments for Bridges.
“It’s humbling to be added to the gallery,” said Bridges. “I’m reminded of all the inductees, many of whom I knew. There are some heavy hitters in this group. I learned from these people, who encouraged me and admonished me when I needed it.”
The honorable group members that Bridges joins are significant strands in ERDC’s fabric, prompting him to recognize them as integral figures in the organization’s history. He credits their excellence for providing a blueprint for ERDC’s future.
“If you don’t understand how an organization got to be what it is today, you can’t possibly plan how to get it where it needs to be tomorrow. ERDC’s history is embodied with the inductees and many others. You must know your history to plot a future, and ERDC’s future is bright.”
The key to building upon ERDC’s future, according to Bridges, is onboarding exceptional employees to continue the organization’s commitment to excellence.
“Great people are the foundations of all great organizations. You build on that foundation by attracting, developing, and retaining talented people who could deliver on your mission and help you fulfill your vision. You attract talented people by being visible and doing important and interesting work. You develop talent by challenging them to grow and providing them with opportunities. You retain talented people by engaging them to create an exciting future for themselves and the organization.”
Staying with the theme of his message, Bridges believes that teaming up with other organizations with a similar mission could further brighten ERDC’s future.
“The future is working where your customers, collaborators, and partners are present. Building more substantive collaborations beyond ERDC’s fence is the key to unlocking the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Talented people will build these partnerships by developing collaborations with others; as someone once said, ‘Progress runs on the rails of relationships.’“
Bridges gave his best to ERDC for three decades, and he doesn’t regret a minute spent serving the organization.
“I was blessed to work with you at WES and ERDC for 30 years. There isn’t another organization in the world that I would rather have been a part of than this one.”
Dr. David Pittman, ERDC director, summed up Bridges’ career accomplishments with one sentence.
“Todd was one of the best federal employees ever,” said Pittman.