James N. Thomasson, P.E.
Deputy District Engineer Project Management
James N. Thomasson is the Deputy District Engineer for Project Management and chief of the Programs and Project Management Division for Norfolk District.
He attended Vanderbilt University where he received a bachelor of engineering degree in civil engineering in 1965. In 1966, Thomasson received a master’s degree in transportation from Georgia Institute of Technology. Subsequently, he studied engineering and management at the University of Tennessee where he graduated from their Public Service Management Institute. He is a graduate of the Office of Personnel Management’s Federal Institute for Executives and a trained facilitator for Leadership Education and Development (LEAD). Thomasson is a registered Professional Engineer, Land Surveyor, and Associate Broker in Tennessee.
Prior to joining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, in 1975 as chief of the Survey Branch, Thomasson worked for the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Metropolitan Nashville Traffic and Parking Commission. He also owned his own engineering and surveying firm. For thirteen years, he served as an engineering and surveying instructor with the University of Tennessee. Thomasson served with the Corps of Engineers in Israel, Europe and long-term temporary assignments with other districts. His assignment prior to coming to the Norfolk District was chief of the Project Management Branch in the Europe Division. He was responsible for the design of over 1,500 military projects with construction valued at $4.5 billion. While in Germany, he taught at the Technische Hochschule at Darmstadt. From 1989 to 1998, he served as chief of Norfolk District's Engineering Division overseeing the design of major civil works and a complex military programs, including family housing in the North Atlantic Division.
Thomasson’s awards include the Department of Army’s Distinguished Service Award, the Commander’s Medal with laurel leaf cluster and the Achievement Medal. Others include Europe Division’s Award for Engineering Excellence and the University of Tennessee’s Teaching Excellence Award.
He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). In 1992, Thomasson was president of the Hampton Roads SAME Post.
Updated: 09-Oct-2009