Regional Manager Honored by the U.S. Coast Guard for Service
- Mar 11, 2019
- Rail
One of our own is also one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s. Brian Royak, Regional Manager for Rail Field Service, was honored by the USCG by being selected as Sailor of the Quarter in the 4th quarter of 2018 and awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for his service as a Machinery Technician First Class and supervisor of the Cleveland Harbor, OH Station/Station Lorain Small.
Petty Officer Royak has been a member of the USCG Reserve for 9 years. In his first 3, he was active duty at MSU Port Arthur in Texas, prior to joining L.B. Foster in 2014. The honors he has received are for his service from May to August 2018 during Summerstock, an effort which requires qualified Reservists to be on extended Active Duty to assist with Coast Guard operations during the busy boating months on the Great Lakes.
Throughout the summer of 2018, Royak expertly led 125 law enforcement boardings and executed 7 search and rescue cases that resulted in saving 4 lives and thousands of dollars in property damage. During his off time, he still performed his regular work responsibilities with L.B. Foster.
The Cleveland Harbor Station and Station Lorain Small perform search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, homeland security and ice rescue during the winter months. Over the summer months of 2018, Royak oversaw the transition of Station Lorain Small from a traditional, standalone station to a seasonal unit. His leadership abilities were crucial in the transition, ensuring effective operations during its inaugural summer season. He also managed civil engineering projects at the station including rebuilding rooms that had severe water damage, ensuring the station’s ability to support critical response duty crews during the summer.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to L.B. Foster for supporting me in my USCG career and most notable, my boss, Jim Tanner, for his support.,” said Brian Royak, adding, “I am very thankful and humbled by being recognized. I work my hardest and do my best not for recognition. I do it because it is the right thing to do.”
Royak isn’t the only person within the company on the field services team to serve in the USCG. Field technicians and Reservists BM1 Troy Gonzaga and MK1 Ben Johnson drill out of Station Sabine Pass in Texas with Royak.
We're honored to have Petty Officer Brian Royak as a member of our L.B. Foster team and proud to see him be recognized for his devotion and service to the U.S. Coast Guard.
