The president of Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security & Environmental global business unit, Barbara Rusinko, has been elected to the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association’s (SMSA) board of directors. The association provides need-based scholarships to the children and grandchildren of America’s fighting Seabees and Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) officers attending accredited colleges and universities.
“We are pleased to welcome three strong new members to our dynamic team,” said SMSA Board Chairman Mike Blount. “Their diverse skill sets, corporate and community networks and commitment to Seabees and educating the future make them ideal candidates to help drive and deliver our mission.”
Rusinko is one of three new board members. Her support of the Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) was sparked by her father, Michael J. Baccellieri, who served with the 50th Seabees in World War II. His unit built air strips and other infrastructure on the Pacific islands.
“It’s a distinguished privilege to be elected to the SMSA Board of Directors,” Rusinko said. “Bechtel’s government services group has supported the armed services on many of their missions. Moreover, it is a personal honor to serve an organization that has meant so much to me and my family and is helping students who otherwise may not be able to afford a college education.”
Rusinko has 30 years of experience in the engineering industry and has held a variety of leadership and operations roles during her Bechtel tenure. Previously chief engineer for Bechtel’s government services company, Rusinko oversaw the performance of 700 engineers and designers, and has held senior engineering management and senior project manager roles on projects valued in the billions of dollars around the world.
Rusinko has a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Alabama – Huntsville, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina. She also serves on the board of directors for Bechtel Group, Inc. (BGI) and the Nuclear Energy Institute.
Barbara Rusinko
Barbara Rusinko’s father, Michael Baccellieri, served with the Seabees during World War II.
