Click Link to view Tim Murphy's retirement ceremony comments.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2022) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District recognized Jerry Timothy “Tim” Murphy, deputy district engineer for programs and planning in a retirement ceremony highlighting his impactful career at the district headquarters.
As the Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management, Murphy has been the senior civilian and advisor to the commander of the Jacksonville District and in many cases briefed the South Atlantic Division commander and his staff on all things Jacksonville. He is responsible for all civil works, support for others, and military projects within the Jacksonville District Area of Operations which includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and most of Florida.
Col. James L. Booth, Jacksonville District commander praised Murphy for his steadfast devotion to excellence, the great ability to build, foster great relationships and passion for working with stakeholders and partners.
“He loves what he does for the Corps of Engineers and he has been very successful because of his kind and humble ability to empower and motivate all those around him, making him and everyone around him simply better,” said Booth.
Booth presented Murphy with the Silver Order of the De Fleury Medal, an award given to those who render significant service or support to an element of the Engineer Regiment. Booth also presented his wife Lisa Murphy with the Essayons Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication, devotion, and selfless service to the Engineer Regiment.
"Your efforts represent the Essayons spirit of "Let us Try" and the sacrifice, commitment and steadfast loyalty to our Engineers, the United States army Corps of Engineers and the United States Army." said Booth.
Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, South Atlantic Division commanding general, thanked Murphy for his faithful service to the nation. "I'm lucky having come in as the division commander for these four months," said Hibner. "It was awesome to see how you operate and what was more important to observe how you develop leaders. and wherever you went and operated. It was very much appreciated."
Hibner presented Murphy with the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Medal, and also presented him with a personalized hand-carved wooden Corps castle. Hibner said the ASCS medal reflects his humility, integrity, and hard work in representing the very best of civil service.
As deputy district engineer, Murphy led the district’s business management program delivery, ensuring that assigned local, regional and national programs were executed within budget and schedule. The general also recognized Murphy’s work to revolutionize systems and processes across the entire Corps of Engineers enterprise, awarding him the distinction of being an “Change Agent” for leadership that led to lasting and significant change throughout the organization that will persevere long after his tenure as deputy district engineer.
Former Jacksonville District commanders, Col. (Ret.) Jason Kirk (2015-2018), Col. (Ret.) Andrew Kelly (2018-2021) and former Jacksonville District Deputy District Engineer and now current Nashville District commander, Lt. Col. Joseph M. Sahl, attended the ceremony, gave remarks and provided parting gifts.
"We are fortunate to call you friend," said Kirk. He reflected on Murphy and his many trips with him throughout the district. He told a story of during a dinner meeting with Murphy, he crafted his vision on a napkin and action steps for three years. It reflected the beginning of some of their best work together for the district.
"He is an agent of action and change and I appreciate the team work that we did every step of the way," said Kirk.
Kelly also thanked Murphy for being a great travel partner and wished him well on his future endeavors. "
"There is no stronger advocate for the Jacksonville team that is in this room than Tim Murphy and I got to see it first hand in a lot of situations because he was out in the front, out with the customers, with clients, with the stakeholders and he was fighting for the District every single day," said Kelly.
As many viewed via WebEx, speaking via a live video feed from his office in Atlanta, Ga., Dr. Larry McCallister, South Atlantic Division Director of Programs wished Murphy well and expressed his appreciation for Murphy’s work ethic, dedication to the Corps and acknowledged his leadership.
“We are going to miss you Tim, you've done some incredible things and I want to commend you for a job well done and for your steadfast dedication to the district and the South Atlantic Division,” said McCallister. “I’ve witnessed your calm demeanor, your interaction with people, and the passion you carry for projects," said McCallister. "The thing I liked most is his passion for the end users, the products that we create. "Whether it is a beach re-nourishment, port deepening or a project in Puerto Rico, you were always caring about the end user and I appreciate that," said McCallister.”
During the retirement ceremony, Murphy received numerous awards.
Howard Gonzales Jr., the incoming Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management talked about his observation of Murphy's patience, expertise, relationships, trust and his humble spirit.
“I am in awe of his leadership and the pace he keeps that allows him to gets things done,” said Gonzales.
He read a congressional citation that was presented to Murphy in Puerto Rico by Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon on Dec. 9. Gonzales also presented the Pecky Cypress award and thanked Murphy for his leadership, guidance and trusting him to move the district forward into the next phase of "Delivering the Program."
Murphy closed out the ceremony by giving remarks. He thanked everyone for their wonderful gifts and tributes. He recapped portions of his journey of when he joined the Corps from of college in 1987 as an engineer intern until now.
“I am really proud of the times when I had the opportunity to learned and grow, trust people and hold them accountable to do their jobs. That has been one of my biggest assets,” said Murphy.
He said reminded the group that his journey was not easy but recounts cross-leveling within the district provided him with the knowledge and skillset to propel him to the level of our Senior Civilian Leader and Director of Programs and Project Management.
The crowd laughed when he told the story of how in 2007, he accepted the position of Senior Director, Engineering and Construction, for the Jacksonville Port Authority and was fired. In that role, Murphy said he worked as a non-federal sponsor to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build the infrastructure projects for the Nation and realized the need to come back to the Corps.
Prior to his selection as the Deputy District Engineer in 2015, Murphy returned to the Jacksonville District in 2009, serving as a Project Manager, the Navigation Branch Chief, and later as Deputy for the Operations Division across the Jacksonville District.
From 1990 through 1994, he served in the Planning Division, implementing policies which developed studies, acquired congressional authorization and resulted in on-the-ground construction. From 1995 through 2007, Murphy served as a Project Manager in the Programs and Project Management Division, where managing, budgeting and scheduling all manner of projects took center stage.
Murphy graduated from Auburn University in 1988, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, received a Master Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida in 2005 and is a certified Project Management Professional and a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama and Florida.
He added that he is extremely excited for the district, the future of the Corps of Engineers and is a better person having served with everyone in the Jacksonville district. As he toured projects in San Juan, Puerto Rico and met with Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi and Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon during the week of Dec. 6-9, 2022, he was lauded with a congressional citation. He reassured the Governor, Congresswoman, area mayors and the people in Puerto Rico, the projects in PR are in great hands.
“I can’t think of a better person to relieve me,” said Murphy. “You are in great hands with Howie and I’m proud that these young leaders throughout the district that are evolving into such strong, amazing people. They are exceptional leaders for the district, so I’m excited for you. And yes, I’ll be looking in on you,” said Murphy.
Murphy said he was grateful for the accolades and shares his success with his wife Lisa and daughters Kassie, Kylee and Kaylan. His mother, Ms. Lorell Murphy and brother Tony Murphy also attended the ceremony.
(The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District on the district’s website at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JaxStrong.