West Valley Demonstration Project
Office of Environmental Management
November 8, 2022
minute read time
To celebrate Veterans Day, EM highlights former service members who have joined EM on their journey in civilian work-life.
What is your name and what do you do at EM?
Stephen Bousquet, EM-West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) Federal Project Director in New York. Provides leadership and manages the deconstruction of the Main Plant Process Building, an EM 2022 priority.
What branch did you serve in?
U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Army, New York Army National Guard
When and Where?
I enlisted in the Army Reserve as a medic in 1992 and in 1996 I was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps officer. I served on active duty at Fort Drum, New York and Fort Meade, Maryland until 2000 when I joined the New York Army National Guard. During my service in the New York Army National Guard, I had served as a tank battalion medical platoon leader, tank battalion headquarters company commander, commander of a medical company, executive officer and commander of a brigade support battalion, the logistics officer of the 42nd Infantry Division and the deputy commander and commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, retiring in February 2022 after multiple overseas combat deployments and 30 years of service.
Most memorable event/moment during your service?
The first moment that comes to mind was being deployed to assist with emergency recovery efforts after 9/11. To see the impact and devastation firsthand is not something you can forget. Helping those in need during this unthinkable event reminded me of the price we have paid in the past and will continue to pay to keep our freedom.
How has your military service helped prepare you for the job you do in EM?
My service in the U.S. Army provided me with a solid education and world experience. While traveling the world, I was able to use my education, training and experience to perform my duties. This allowed me to transfer this knowledge and experience to EM’s cleanup mission at West Valley.
When did you begin working for EM and what got you interested in the cleanup mission?
I received a degree in biology from Canisius College, a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. My career began at West Valley in February 2017. It was my experience as an environmental science officer and my work in safety, health and environment on active duty that got me interested in doing environmental work. In my position at WVDP, I am able to apply my leadership and environmental experience to ensure that EM’s cleanup efforts at the site are performed safely and compliantly.