AUSTIN, TX Freese and Nichols, Inc. announces that Anthony Risko has joined the firm's coastal services group and will serve as a Senior Engineer in the Austin office. Risko brings more than 25 years of experience in public- and private-sector water and coastal resources planning, engineering, project and program management, and business development. 

"Anthony's deep knowledge of water and coastal resources strategy adds tremendous value to our coastal team," said Bob Pence, CEO of Freese and Nichols. "His experience and leadership further allows Freese and Nichols to be the top provider for integrated water resource-related services across Texas and the Gulf Coast region." 

Risko devoted much of his career to serving the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). For more than 17 years, Risko worked his way from Junior Civil Engineer to Acting Chief And Senior Project Manager of the Project Management division serving the Los Angeles District. His accomplishments include working with a team to reconstruct the Iraqi electrical infrastructure and restore power to 1.5 million households, and gaining Congressional authorization for a $14 million feasibility study to develop a comprehensive master plan for the entire 1,100-mile stretch of California's coast.  

Prior to joining Freese and Nichols, Risko was a Principal Engineer and Manager for MWH Americas, Inc.'s, Coastal Resources and USACE Civil Works practices. In this role, he leveraged his previous work with the USACE to provide professional consulting services related to water resources program. He offered technical management and leadership for coastal restoration and navigation projects and studies in California, Louisiana, Florida, and Illinois. As well, Risko was an Associate Vice President and Project Director with the Atkins North America, Inc. Ports and Coastal Practice. Additionally, he served as a Naval Surface Warfare Officer for the United States Navy in Norfolk, Virginia.  

Throughout his career, Risko has received a number of awards and recognitions. Among them is the Medal for the Global War on Terrorism from the Secretary of Defense in 2009, a commendation from the Executive Director for the New Orleans District West Shore-Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Protection study in 2008, and a commendation from the USACE Galveston District for the Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project EIS in 2008.

Risko earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Arizona and a master's degree in ocean engineering from Texas A&M University. He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Western Dredging Association, and the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association. He is also a committee member of Public and Private Partnership.