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News
District Engineer Proves Disability Is No Handicap
December 4, 2008
By Gregory Headen
Norfolk District Equal Opportunity Office
Gary Szymanski offers tried-and-true advice to people with disabilities who want to get ahead in life: "Seize every opportunity to learn and achieve."
Gary Szymanski, Chief of Cost Engineering for the Norfolk District Technical Services Division, is a recipient of the 2008 Department of the Army's Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award. Each year the Secretary of the Army, in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense, schedules the Individuals with Disabilities Program Award which recognizes the achievements of outstanding employees with disabilities who have made significant contributions to the Army's mission.
In his 27-year tenure with Norfolk District, Szymanski has successfully dealt with his disability and injuries as a result of a 1977 accident that occurred when his car collided with a train. As a Civil Engineer, Szymanski works as a Team Leader with responsibilities that entail the production of engineering documents, including plans, specifications, studies, reports, calculations, and analysis. He is directly responsible for site and civil engineering aspects of projects, which include utilities, pavements, landscaping and drainage. In addition, he has been the Design Team Leader on numerous major projects, most notably the Channelization Flood Control Project and the Second Access Road at Fort Eustis, to name a few.
Szymanski is an integral part of the Base Realignment Commission (BRAC) support team at the district. He has been responsible for Civil Engineering design aspects of major BRAC program activities at Fort Lee. His other specialties include stormwater management, grading and drainage, and sediment and erosion control design. In addition to his Civil Engineering duties, Mr. Szymanski, on his own initiative, has received special training in Anti-terrorism and Force Protection, as well as becoming one of two LEED Accredited Professionals within the Norfolk District.
Szymanski has been able to overcome challenges and obstacles at construction sites by relying on video and photography in order to examine field conditions and construction problems he cannot easily access. Additionally, improvements in virtual engineering and design will help to improve the opportunities for other disabled engineers to be actively engaged in the construction process in addition to design desk duties.
Since 2006, Szymanski has served as a member of Norfolk District Commander's Special Emphasis Program as the Manager for Programs for Individuals with Disabilities. In this capacity, he serves as a staunch advocate for equal employment opportunity rights, concerns and issues affecting employees with disabilities. He works with the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, supervisors, managers, and senior leaders to ensure employees with disabilities are fully represented within the district. He also strives to ensure they receive equal and fair treatment in the hiring, advancement, training and treatment of disabled employees within the Norfolk District.
On December 9, Szymanski will be presented his award by the Secretary of the Army or his designee in Arlington, VA. As a recipient of the 2008 Department of the Army's Outstanding Employee with a Disability, Szymanski is eligible and will compete for the Department of Defense Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award, which will also be held on December 9, 2008 in Bethesda, MD.