Todd Semonite to Lead WSP USA Federal Programs

Lieutenant General Semonite commanded U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and led nationwide construction of temporary hospitals for COVID-19 patients.  

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Retired Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite, former Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has joined WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, as President of the Federal Programs business.

Semonite will lead a multi-disciplinary team that delivers dynamic engineering solutions for U.S. government agencies; developing and delivering timely, cost-effective projects that foster sustainable communities and protect national and natural resources. Federal Programs supports clients in facilities design, master planning, national security programs, logistics and emergency management, environmental services and overseas integrated development. He will be based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

“I am grateful that General Semonite has chosen to bring his expertise and years of knowledge working for the Army Corps of Engineers to WSP, and I look forward to working with him on our firm’s many complex federal projects,” said Lou Cornell, WSP USA Chief Executive Officer. “His proven leadership in solving some of the nation’s urgent infrastructure challenges will have a tremendous impact on our team’s already unmatched ability to meet the often unique specifications of federal and military contracts. He understands how to align our capabilities with the niche needs of government clients so that we can be an effective partner across multiple disciplines.”

For the past four years, Semonite served as the 54^th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the USACE. He advised the Secretary of the Army on matters such as general, combat and geospatial engineering; construction, real property, public infrastructure; and natural resources science and management. Semonite oversaw 36,000 civilian employees, 800 military personnel, and managed a $68 billion project portfolio.

In 2020, Semonite led the Army Corps of Engineers’ response to the coronavirus pandemic, constructing 38 alternate care facilities that created 15,000 beds for COVID-19 patients across the U.S. When COVID-19 infections first peaked in New York City last year, Semonite oversaw the build out of the temporary hospital at Javits Center.

“I am excited to move from one world-class organization – the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – to another world-class team – WSP Federal Programs,” Semonite said.  “I have been very impressed with WSP’s focus on quality, delivery and excellence, while always caring for the outstanding people on the firm’s team. I look forward to helping WSP ‘envision, inspire and transform’ how we can provide value-added services to this great nation at a time when America needs industry to help rebuild.”

Throughout his 41-year career with USACE, Semonite served in multiple leadership roles, including Commander of the 130th Engineer Brigade and V Corps Engineer; Executive Officer to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army; and Deputy Commander, Task Force Restore Iraqi Electricity. Semonite also served as Deputy Commanding General of USACE, coordinating a comprehensive response to Superstorm Sandy. In 2014 he served as the Commanding General for Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, responsible for building the Afghan Army and Police into a 352,000-member force.

A native of Bellows Falls, Vermont, Semonite graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York and was commissioned into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1979. He also earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Vermont, and a master’s degree in military arts from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Semonite is a licensed professional engineer in Virginia and Vermont and recently was awarded the 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) OPAL award for Construction, the 2020 Engineering News-Record Newsmaker of the Year Award, the 2020 Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Industry Engagement Award, and the 2020 ASCE President’s Award.

His military awards include the three Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Superior Service Award, five Legion of Merit awards, the Bronze Star, the Ranger tab and the Parachutist Badge.

About WSP USA

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 10,000 employees in 170 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com