VICKSBURG, MISS., June 26, 2013 – Brigadier General Anthony C. Funkhouser was officially appointed as a member of the Mississippi River Commission by President Barack Obama June 25, 2013.
Brig. Gen. Funkhouser is commander of the Northwestern Division (NWD), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, headquartered in Portland, Ore. In this position, he oversees an annual program of more than $3 billion in civil works, environmental restoration and military construction in more than a dozen states, primarily within the Columbia and Missouri river basins.
As Division Commander, he is responsible for providing guidance and direction to five operating district commands located in Portland, Ore., Seattle and Walla Walla, Wash., Kansas City, Mo., and Omaha, Neb., with a combined professional workforce of nearly 4,800. Key missions include support to military installations economic growth and environmental sustainability, timely response to natural disasters, and strengthening national security.
The Corps of Engineers members of the Mississippi River Commission provide representation and leadership from the nation’s three largest watersheds:
- Mississippi River
- Missouri River
- Ohio River
All MRC members are nominated and appointed by the President of the United States.
The commission was created by an Act of Congress on June 28, 1879 to plan and provide for the general improvement of the entire length of the Mississippi River. This includes improving navigation, preventing destructive floods and facilitating commerce. The presidential appointees consist of three officers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and three civilians, two of whom must be civil engineers.
The commission itself is an advisory body. Its general duties include recommending policy and work programs, studying and reporting on modifications or changes to the Mississippi River and Tributaries project, commenting on matters authorized by law, making inspection trips, and holding public hearings that facilitate exchanges of viewpoints and ideas between the public and the MRC. Since 1879 the commission has been “listening, inspecting, partnering and engineering” with water resource interests in a watershed that is influenced by the drainage of over 41 percent of the United States and two provinces of Canada.
www.mvd.usace.army.mil/mrc
BIOGRAPHY
Brigadier General Anthony C. Funkhouser assumed command of the Northwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on July 27, 2012.
In this position, he oversees an annual program of more than $3 billion in civil works, environmental restoration, and military construction in more than a dozen states, primarily within the Columbia and Missouri river basins.
As Division Commander, he is responsible for providing guidance and direction to five operating district commands located in Portland, Ore., Seattle and Walla Walla, Wash., Kansas City, Mo., and Omaha, Neb., with a combined professional workforce of nearly 4,800. Key missions include support to military installations and civilian communities throughout the region, managing the nation’s water resources infrastructure for economic growth and environmental sustainability, timely response to natural disasters, and strengthening national security.
Prior to his arrival at Northwestern Division, Brig. Gen. Funkhouser served as Chief, Joint Capabilities Division (J8) at Joint Staff Headquarters, Washington D.C. His earlier assignments included serving as Commander, Afghanistan Engineer District-South where he was responsible for planning, acquisition and construction management of a $4 billion program in support of the U.S. Forces-Afghanistan mission; Commander of Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dallas, Texas, supervising a $3 billion program of engineering and construction services, including disaster response, to seven states through four district offices. Brig. Gen. Funkhouser also spent three years as Commander of the Corps' Tulsa District office and served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Army Engineer School, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Numerous combat and operational positions of leadership include service as Platoon Leader, Executive Officer and Battalion Logistics Officer, 317th Engineer Battalion (Corps), Eschborn, Germany; Assistant Operations Officer and Assistant Brigade Engineer, 17th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas; Assistant Division Engineer, 1st Cavalry Division (Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm); Commander, D Company and B Company, 8th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Operation Intrinsic Action), Fort Hood and Kuwait; Regimental Engineer, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin; Executive Assistant to the Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood; Battalion Executive Officer, 91st Engineer Battalion, Fort Hood; Chief of Doctrine, U.S. Army Engineer School, Fort Leonard Wood; and Commander, 5th Engineer Battalion (Corps) (Operation Iraqi Freedom I).
Brig. Gen. Funkhouser earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the U.S. Military Academy and holds a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Missouri-Rolla, and a master's of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Advanced Military Studies Program, and the U.S. Army War College. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Virginia.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, six awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, six awards of the Army Commendation Medal, five awards of the Army Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal awarded by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and the Combat Action Badge. He has also been awarded the Silver de Fleury and the Order of Saint Barbara Medallions.