Mr. Jim Allen

Mr. James (Jim) Allen is the Technical Director for Operational Science and Engineering (OSE) of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) in Champaign, IL. As the CERL Technical Director OSE, he is responsible for technical leadership of CERL’s programs in Combat Engineering, Warfighter & Emergency Support, and Training Lands & Heritage where he leads a highly interdisciplinary team of approximately 150 Federal and contracted staff. Jim retired in 2022 after 32 years of military service in the Army, Army Reserves, and National Guard, culminating as a Faculty Instructor for the Army War College. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.

Jim has served in numerous roles at the federal, state, and local government levels including CERL branch chief and research civil engineer, the USDOT-Federal Highway Administration, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and as an Assistant County Engineer. His military experience includes deployments with the 1st Cavalry Division, Engineer Brigade; 416th Theatre Engineer Command; 412th Theatre Engineer Command, and NATO international officer exchange program, along with commands at the company and senior field grade officer levels. He was awarded the ERDC 2021 Outstanding Program Development Achievement Award, ERDC 2021 Award for Outstanding Innovation in Research and Development, and numerous military awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.

Jim holds a BS in Engineering from Texas A&M University, a Masters in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College, a qualified PhD candidate in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois, and certificates from the Army Command and General Staff College, the USDOT Leadership Development Academy, Certified Environmental Auditor, and Certified National Bridge Inspector. Jim lives in Lincoln, IL with his wife, Natalie, where they raised their three daughters, Lurena, Haley, and Madelyn. He enjoys physical fitness, military history, and time with his family.