New leader takes command of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District Published July 29, 2009 NEW YORK -- Col. John R. Boulé II assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, during a formal change of command ceremony July 24 in Lower Manhattan. Col. Aniello L. Tortora, who had commanded the district since August 2006, relinquished command during the event in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. Tortora will be taking over command of the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville in Alabama. New York District is responsible for the Corps' water resources development, navigation and regulatory activities in northeastern New Jersey, eastern and south-central New York State, and parts of Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The district is also responsible for design and construction at Army and Air Force installations in New Jersey, New York, Greenland and Fort Belvoir. The district also provides support following disasters and for the Global War on Terror. A native of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Boulé graduated in 1986 from the United States Military Academy, at West Point, with a BS in Civil Engineering. Boulé also holds two Master's of Science degrees from Stanford University and a Professional Engineering certification. He taught Hydrology in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at West Point. He has served in a variety of operational, command and staff assignments in the United States and overseas. His most recent assignment was as an Assistant Director of Civil Works at Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C. Boulé performed numerous duties until attending senior service college at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) where he earned a MS in National Resource Strategy in June 2009. His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and five awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Ranger Tab, and the Combat Action Badge.