Posted on December 16, 2024
VICKSBURG, Miss.— After nearly more than three decades of service to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)/Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Dr. Gary Anderton bade the agency farewell.
ERDC held a retirement ceremony honoring Anderton on November 14 to celebrate his 38 years of service to the agency. Anderton served in multiple leadership roles, including Director of the ERDC Human Capital Office, where he developed and aligned ERDC’s Human Capital program with workforce strategies, programs, policies, and processes with the organization’s mission, goals, and performance outcomes for all ERDC locations. Prior to his last role, Anderton was the branch chief for the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory’s (GSL) Airfields and Pavements Branch (APB), where he led a team of over 40 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support staff in executing research and development studies in military and civilian pavement technologies.
Anderton also served as a senior research civil engineer and Joint Rapid Airfield Construction (JRAC) Program manager, a role during which he developed the JRAC Program from its pre-funded conceptual phase into one of the U.S. Army’s highest priority research and development programs.
Filled with gratitude, Anderton took the stage and delivered a speech dedicated to those who helped him along his journey at ERDC/WES. He thanked his initial managers for giving him his start and the many engineers who helped him grow in the field.
“I’ve had the best career at the best organization that I could have ever hoped for,” said Anderton. “I’m compelled to say thanks to those who have made the last 38 years so special. I thank the people who decided to hire me in 1986. I am grateful to them for taking a chance on a petroleum engineer with limited experience. I’m also grateful for the first group of aircrafts and pavements employees who trained me. They trained me to understand laboratory tests, how to manage airfield, pavement, construction, and quality assurance, and how to survive 12-hour workdays on foreign lands.”
“My bosses encouraged and challenged me and gave me every opportunity to succeed that they could. By their examples, they showed me how to lead and serve others,” Anderton continued. “They were all great bosses, but they are even better friends.”
Working with a group of hard-working people helped Anderton achieve success in his career. He highlighted the brilliance of his co-workers and friends whose excellence inspired him be great.
“I thank my peers from then and now. I tell their employees often that if you want ERDC’s standard of excellence, look around them. I’ve been surrounded by brilliant, dedicated, and overachieving peers since day one,” Anderton said. “They’ve gone on to become undeniable technical leaders in their fields, outstanding people, leaders, and managers, and even an ERDC director. These people pushed me to learn, grow, and give back by providing examples of excellence.”
Anderton took time to acknowledge his Human Capital staff for their commitment to excellence and passion for building a strong ERDC workforce.
“I am amazed by your zeal to serve others. Your selfless desire to see others succeed and your willingness to work in the shadows while others have the light shined on them is inspiring. I’m thankful to the Human Capital team for helping this old engineer cross the finish line.”
Anderton concluded his speech by presenting flowers to his wife Cheri before thanking her and their two children, Andy and Bailey, for their support.
“I thank my wife for supporting me and my sometimes-crazy job while managing our family and household needs with love. I thank our children for giving me immeasurable amounts of pride and joy since you came into this world,” Anderton said. “To my grandkids, Paw Paw is going to have more time to play from now on.”
Several of Anderton’s colleagues spoke highly of him during the ceremony. ERDC Deputy Director Pat Sullivan has known Anderton for over 30 years and applauded his leadership and raising the agency’s profile.
“Gary’s leadership set the tone and guided the launch of so many initiatives that have made ERDC a better place,” said Sullivan. “He’s left a profound impact on ERDC. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on.”
Dr. David Pittman, ERDC director, shared some of Anderton’s best qualities and why those qualities make him special.
“Gary is like a brother to me, and I’ve always looked up to him,” said Pittman. “Gary is a family man. If you know him, you know about his family because he always talked about them. He displays professionalism who is a world expert who’s taught around the world. He’s also courageous for some of the work he’s done for ERDC. He’s world-class because of the awards he’s won in his career and the admiration he’s gotten from others. He’s a great leader because when he spoke, people listened, and he’s responsible for the training of other ERDC leaders.
“He’s touched so many lives. He’s left this a better place than what it was before he arrived.”
