Colonel James J. Handura currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Colonel Handura began his military service with the United States Navy Seabee Reserves, serving as a Utilitiesman from 1987 to 1989, at Bayboro Harbor, St. Petersburg, Florida. From 1989 to 1993, he served in the U.S. Army as an enlisted Combat Engineer, with the 82nd Engineer Battalion (Federal Republic of Germany) and the 20th Engineer Battalion (Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and later Ft. Hood, Texas). Colonel Handura graduated in 1996 from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Geology, and a commission in the Engineer Regiment. He holds a Master of Science in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Missouri-Rolla, a Master’s degree in Military Art and Science – Theater Operations from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Colonel Handura served in a wide variety of staff and leadership positions throughout his commissioned officer career including platoon leader, company executive officer, company commander, assistant brigade engineer, assistant division engineer liaison officer, task force engineer, project engineer, deputy resident engineer, future operations planner, Commander’s Initiatives Group strategic planner, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer, deputy district commander, battalion commander, engineer observer trainer, and lead observer trainer. He deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Colonel Handura’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He is a recipient of the Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Joint Staff Identification Badge, French Commando School Badge, and the Army Engineer Association’s Silver de Fleury Medal. He is a certified Project Management Institute Project Management Professional. Colonel Handura is originally from Clearwater, Florida, and is married to the former Julie Boucher of Seminole, Florida. They have two daughters, Rachel, and Ani.