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  • May

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District officially launched its new, $25.5 million Bank Grading Unit (BGU), “Grader 1”, with a May 2 christening ceremony on a boat ramp located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.

    USACE Memphis christens replacement, $25.5M bank grading unit "Grader 1"

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District officially launched its new, $25.5 million Bank Grading Unit (BGU), “Grader 1”, with a christening ceremony held on the afternoon of May 2 at a boat ramp located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Event attendees included Mississippi Valley Division Commander Maj. Gen. Diana Holland, Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, Grader 1's project delivery team and project partners, and several members from the Memphis District Employee and Retiree Communities. Vessel christenings are widely considered an important part of nautical culture with many associated customs practiced for centuries now. While variations do exist, the overall purpose is to request protection for the vessel and crew while navigating the waterways of the world.
  • Congratulations to March Employee of the Month, Outreach Coordinator Brian Schneider! Schneider was recently recognized for his exceptional work and contributions to the Memphis District’s Navy RAM Lab project. His work involved coordinating with the Project Delivery Team and other districts to secure the necessary contracting capacity while also ensuring contracting requirements were met. Schneider also maintained coordination with Memphis District senior leadership, MVD leadership at the SES level, and leadership within the U.S. Navy, including the SES level. Throughout all this work, Schneider maintained the highest level of professionalism, even during some extremely challenging situations.

    Congrats to March Employee of the Month, Brian Schneider!

    Congratulations to March Employee of the Month, Outreach Coordinator Brian Schneider!
  • On June 20, six U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Memphis District employees received length of service certificates presented by Maj. Gen. Michael Wehr, Mississippi Valley Division Commanding General. Pictured left to right, are Memphis District commander Col. Michael Ellicott, Kim Lewis (30 years of service), Teresa Martinez (35 years of service), Jack Ratliff (30 years of service), Robert Fletcher (25 years of service), Jackie Whitlock (35 years of service), Hugh Coleman (35 years of service), and Maj. Gen. Wehr.

    Ratliff named Memphis District Employee of the Month

    Congratulations to Mr. Jack Ratliff on his recent selection as January 2023 Employee of the Month. Nominated by three separate district employees/offices, Ratliff is ultimately commended for embracing his new position as the Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) of the Groundwater Security Office since rejoining the Memphis District from the Little Rock District approximately four months ago.
  • Knowledgeable. Caring. An asset. Kindhearted. Selfless. Friend. Guru. A bright light. Trustworthy. These are words chosen to describe colleague, friend, and recently retired Program Assistant, Mr. Jeff Berry. Even with solid attempts made at convincing him to stay, Berry celebrated his retirement of 33 years of federal service in a ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues.

    A look back: Berry's 33 years of federal service

    Knowledgeable. Caring. An asset. Kindhearted. Selfless. Friend. Guru. A bright light. Trustworthy. These are words chosen to describe colleague, friend, and recently retired Program Assistant, Mr. Jeff Berry. Even with solid attempts made at convincing him to stay, Berry celebrated his retirement of 33 years of federal service in a ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and colleagues.
  • Another record-breaking season is in the books after the Memphis District’s Revetment Units returned home mid-March of 2023, making it one of the longest seasons had in 20 years. The Memphis District’s Clearing and Snagging and Bank Grading Units are primarily responsible for preparing Mississippi riverbanks for the placement of articulated concrete mattress (ACM), which is accomplished by the Vicksburg District’s Mat Sinking Unit.

    Memphis District revetment units breaks record, longest season in 20 years

    Another record-breaking season is in the books after the Memphis District’s Revetment Units returned home mid-March of 2023, making it one of the longest seasons had in 20 years.

  • April

    The Memphis District recently completed dike construction and maintenance at Coahoma-Armstrong near Memphis, Tennessee (MS River Mile 719) on March 23, 2023. The project completion will result in long-term improvement of the navigation channel crossing in this reach of the river, which has historically been a low water problem spot for the commercial towing industry.

    Memphis-area dike construction complete, commercial towing industry to benefit immediately, long-term

    The Memphis District recently completed dike construction and maintenance at Coahoma-Armstrong near Memphis, Tennessee (MS River Mile 719), March 23, 2023. The project completion will result in long-term improvement of the navigation channel crossing in this reach of the river, which has historically been a low water problem spot for the commercial towing industry. The project was awarded as a task order through an existing Mississippi River Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) using a combination of Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding.

  • November

    The Memphis District recently finalized the feasibility study phase of the Piney Creek Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project. The study, conducted in accordance with Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, identified and evaluated alternatives in a decision document that recommended a coordinated and implementable solution for restoring aquatic ecosystem of Piney Creek.

    Piney Creek: Feasibility study complete, construction on horizon

    The Memphis District recently finalized the feasibility study phase of the Piney Creek Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project. The study, conducted in accordance with Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, identified and evaluated alternatives in a decision document that recommended a coordinated and implementable solution for restoring aquatic ecosystem of Piney Creek.

  • October

    Joanna Neu is a permit manager and serves as the Regulatory Division's Collateral Duty Safety Officer (CDSO). She provides safety updates to the Regulatory Team at the start of every monthly staff meeting, takes initiative to update the staff on current trends, and continues to ensure the team safely executes the regulatory mission. Recently, she identified the need to strengthen site visit accountability procedures. She got the buy-in from the entire team and then formally instructed the staff on the new accountability processes. The regulatory team has now been accident free for the past five fiscal years and with Joanna's leadership, they're on target to make it to six and beyond that without any problem whatsoever. Great job, Joanna! Way to look out and take the initiative. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

    Congrats and Thank You, Joanna!

    Permit Manager Joanna Neu identified a need to strengthen site visit accountability procedures. After getting the Regulatory Team's buy-in, she followed through with formally instructing the staff on the newly created accountability processes. The regulatory team has been accident free for the past five fiscal years, and with Joanna's leadership, they're on target for another year free of any safety incidents, making their office accident-free for a total of six years.

  • December

    IN THE PHOTO, District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, and the project delivery team met with the project partner, Eight Mile Drainage District of Greene County, in Arkansas, for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate a levee culvert and erosion repair project. (USACE Photo by Vance Harris)

    Final ribbon-cuttings close out two-day celebration blitz

    To close out the two-day sprint across five states, the Memphis District held two final ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Nov. 18, 2021. Both events celebrated construction projects completed in Arkansas and Missouri.

  • May

    IN THE PHOTOS, a collage representing Divina LeClair's life. She is Filipino and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employee. She currently works for the Memphis District as the district environmental compliance coordinator and has been with the district since 2016. She is a proud Filipino, with Ilonggo being her native language. Ilonggo is one of 99 dialects in the Philippines. She is proud to be both American and Filipino, and says she loves America, its culture, and the people. She also says Filipinos are resilient, respectful, and helpful people, unlike what many may think of them, which is that they are oftentimes late, spend a lot of money, and are poor. The Memphis District is grateful for Divina and thanks her for her service, as well as for sharing her culture with the district, not just today or this Asian American Island Pacific Heritage month, but every day and every month. You are a true gem, and we treasure you daily. Thank you, ma'am!

    Employee and Heritage Spotlight: Divina LeClair

    Men are the breadwinners, and most men control family affairs. Women, on the other hand, play the role of mother, wife, and housekeeper. In their culture, it's disrespectful to stand with your hands on your hips. It's also not polite to point fingers at someone. Neither is it acceptable to spit in front of someone or lose your temper in public. And as of 2018, just over 2 million people from this country lived in the United States, accounting for 4.5 percent of the country's 44.7 million immigrants. The country is the Philippines. It is an archipelago nation consisting of more than 7,100 islands in the Pacific Ocean located near the equator. And the Memphis District woman proudly representing this land is Divina LeClair. She currently works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the district environmental compliance coordinator.
  • A map and photo of the channel cleanout project area in Craighead, Arkansas. Locust Creek has been experiencing debris buildup, resulting in improper channel drainage. Once the project contract is awarded, crews will remove sedimentation buildup along approximately two miles of the creek to prevent any further accumulation. The project reached its “Ready to Advertise” milestone on April 30, 2021. (Courtesy photos)

    Arkansas channel cleanout project ‘Ready to Advertise’

    In support of the district's flood risk management mission, the Memphis District regularly plans and executes projects to maintain and repair channels and levees as needed. Most recently, a project called "The Locus Creek Channel Cleanout", recently reached a significant milestone known as "Ready to Advertise" (RTA). "Ready to Advertise" means the project package has been sent to the district contracting team for awarding this fiscal year. The work to be done is in the Craighead County, Arkansas area. According to PDT Project Manager Amber Jarnagin, Locust Creek has been experiencing debris blockages that aren't allowing proper channel drainage.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Project Manager Jairus Stroupe and St. Francis Basin and White River Backwater Section Chief Billy Grantham attended the Arkansas Water Trails dedication ceremony along with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, the St. Francis Lake Association, the Arkansas Water Trails, the City of Trumann, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. On behalf of the St. Francis Lake Association, Dr. Neal Vickers recognized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager Jairus Stroupe and late USACE Retiree Regina Kuykendoll Cash for their efforts in maintaining the St. Francis Basin. Those efforts are now responsible for allowing the river to be appropriately regulated within the sunken lands.

    Memphis District assists Arkansas with St. Francis water trail dedication

    In partnership with the St. Francis Lake Association, the Arkansas Water Trails, and the City of Trumann, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) celebrated the dedication of the St. Francis Sunken Lands Water Trails on May 5, 2021.  Governor Asa Hutchinson offered some inspiring words about the value of outdoor recreation to the lives of Arkansans, saying, “The tourism industry is on the rise in Arkansas! The new St. Francis Sunken Lands Water Trails will be a major attraction in Poinsett county, bringing people in to take in this unique view of Arkansas’s natural history.”
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller (left) coins Procurement Analyst TiJuana' TJ' Harris in January of 2020 for going above and beyond in her work. Harris was recently provided the chance to apply for a 120-day developmental assignment at the division level, where she said she would learn even more about the "Whys" of USACE contracting.

    Developmental position to offer growth, new skills for USACE employee

    Many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees are eager to learn new skills and grow in their position. Fortunately, the Memphis District oftentimes offers opportunities for its employees to do just that through what's called developmental assignments and/or positions. A developmental position is a temporary job that differs from their permanent position and is designed to train and develop employees in preparation for further career advancement. These temporary positions normally last about 120 days, but can be shorter or longer depending on the position. Additionally, the job location can either be at the employee’s home station or in a completely different state. While the differences vary from position to position, one thing remains the same, the benefits of working a developmental assignment are endless. Recently, Memphis District Procurement Analyst TiJuana' TJ' Harris was provided the chance to apply for a 120-day developmental assignment at the division level, where she said she would learn even more about the "whys" of USACE contracting.
  • .

    A look back: Marshall’s 40 years of service

    “First and foremost, what inspired me was the veterans,” Marshall said. “While serving as a purchasing agent in the Prosthetics Department of the VA, I enjoyed helping the veterans get the products, medicines, home alterations, and equipment they needed. Providing equipment for the blind and handicapped, and seeing their appreciation for the small things filled my heart with joy.  I enjoyed having input in the selection of the equipment provided, and enjoyed informing them of products or services they were unaware that they may have qualified for.”  Contract Specialist Valerie Marshall recently celebrated 40 years of federal service, so we decided to step back and take a look at how she spent those years, as we are very grateful for her service to the Memphis District as well as to this nation.