Prior to this assignment, Colonel Verell completed the Senior Service College at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA. Before that, he served as the Command Engineer, U.S. Forces Japan.
A native of Alexandria, VA, Colonel Verell was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1993. His initial assignment was in the Federal Republic of Germany where he served in the 40th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division as platoon leader and Battalion S4. He later commanded Bravo Company, 20th Engineer Battalion. He deployed his company as part of Stabilization Force (SFOR) 4 to Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina supporting Task Force 1-8 Cavalry at Camp McGovern.
Colonel Verell next served as the Deputy G-1, Corps of Engineers before being selected as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Commanding General for Military Programs, USACE, where he deployed as part of the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance to Iraq in 2003.
After redeploying from Iraq, Colonel Verell served as the Spring Valley Formerly Used Defense Site Operations Officer overseeing the interrogation, remediation, removal and disposal of hazardous and toxic material from the World War I American University Experimental Station located in Northwest Washington, D.C.
Other assignments include serving as the Brigade Engineer for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. He was then assigned to the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division and served as the Battalion Executive Officer. Later, Colonel Verell was assigned to the Department of the Army Staff as the Chief of Plans in the Office of the Chief of Engineers. He then commanded the Headquarters & Headquarters Battalion for U.S. Army Central.
Colonel Verell holds a Bachelor’s of Architecture from the University of Miami, FL, a Master’s of Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.
He has attended the Engineer Officer Basic and Advance Courses, the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.
Colonel Verell’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal (5th Award), the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), the Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), the National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), the Korea Defense Service Medal, the NATO Medal (2nd Award), and Parachutist Badge.