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  • February

    IN THE PHOTOS, Supervisory Budget Analyst Marcia Newton retired late last year after serving almost 33 years of federal service. Congratulations and many thanks for your dedicated service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission and this great nation.

    A look back: Newton’s 33 years of service

    Supervisory Budget Analyst Marcia Newton retired late last year after serving almost 33 years of federal service. To celebrate and recognize her for all she's done, we look back at her life and career. "I grew up in Indiana -- a few years in Wolcottville, but most years were in Marion," Newton started. "I went to Marion High School and then Marion College (now called Indiana Wesleyan University) in Marion, Indiana." Newton started her federal service in April of 1988, working as a voucher examiner and lead voucher examiner in Fulda, West Germany.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager Randy Clark retired from the Memphis District after serving 37 years of federal service. Congratulations and many thanks for your dedicated service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission and this great nation. (Courtesy photos)

    A look back: Clark’s 37 years of service

    Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager Randy Clark retired late last year after serving 37 years of federal service. To celebrate him, we will take a look back at his life and career to recognize him for everything he's done, not just for the Memphis District but also for our nation. Clark first started working for the federal government with the Nashville District in 1978 as a summer hire in the Environmental Analysis Branch. There he worked on Cultural Resources for the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, the district partner, and other district team members are briefed on the details of the project. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    Success: Two Projects: Trotters, Rena Lara seepage remediation

    The fifth and final ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Jan. 20, celebrated two construction projects completed in Tunica County, Trotters, Mississippi, and Coahoma County, Rena Lara, Mississippi.

  • January

    IN THE PHOTOS, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leadership are briefed on the details of the project at the site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    W.G. Huxtable gear box repair complete

    Among the five ribbon cuttings held Jan. 20, Memphis District leadership stopped at the W.G. Huxtable Pumping Plant in Lee County, Marianna, Arkansas, to celebrate another project completed with the help of District Partner St. Francis Levee District, pumping plant employees, and the Project Delivery Team.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, District Partners, and other district leadership were briefed on the details of the St. Francis bridge (CR736) project at the exact site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony (in the photo), symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Vance Harris)

    Graham Burke Pumping Station back online

    Congratulations to the Memphis District team responsible for getting the Graham Burke Pumping Station repaired and back online. To celebrate construction completion, the Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, the Project Delivery Team, and a representative of District Partner White River Levee and Drainage District, other pumping plant employees came together to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 20, 2021.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller and other district leadership are briefed on the details of the St. Francis bridge (CR736) project at the exact site where the construction took place. Afterward, the group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Jessica Haas)

    Complete: Scour repairs downstream of St. Francis bridge

    The Memphis District has done it again. The Memphis District Commander, Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, Project Partner Rob Rash, and Project Delivery Team members all gathered to celebrate, with a ribbon-cutting, the completion of yet another significant project involving riverbank armoring. Along with our longtime partner, the St. Francis Levee District of Arkansas, represented by Rob Rash, the Memphis District awarded a contract to A Rock Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $2,786,197, to remove debris, reshape the channel, and armor the bank with more than 27,000 tons of stone along the CR736 Bridge over the St. Francis River in St. Francis County, Arkansas.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Project Delivery Team members and Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller cut the ribbon at the Hopefield construction site, symbolizing the victory and celebration of completing yet another significant project. (USACE photo by Vance Harris)

    Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hopefield Point completion

    The Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, and members of the Project Delivery Team gathered on the Mississippi Riverbanks in Arkansas for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a bank armoring project, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Project Management Branch Chief Regina Kuykendoll Cash (left photo, center in right photo) retired from the Memphis District after serving 35 years of federal service. Congratulations and many, many thanks to her for her dedicated service to our nation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission.

    A look back: Kuykendoll Cash’s 35 years of service

    Congratulations to Project Management Branch Chief Regina Kuykendoll Cash, who retired from the Memphis District after serving about 35 years of federal service. To celebrate her, we take a look back at her many years of service and recognize her for most everything she’s done, not just for the Memphis District, but also for our Nation.
  • The 55th Chief of Engineers, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, and the 14th Command Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major Patrickson Toussaint, visited the Memphis District last week to better understand some of the ways the district is supporting the USACE Civil Works mission. (USACE photos by Vance Harris)

    The 55th Chief of Engineers visits the Memphis District

    The 55th Chief of Engineers, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, and the 14th Command Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major Patrickson Toussaint, visited the Memphis District last week to better understand some of the ways the district supports the USACE Civil Works mission.

  • December

    IN THE PHOTO, dry dock 5801 after it was serviced in Morgan City, Louisiana and back at Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis, Tennessee. The dry dock was shipped to the Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana for repairs and maintenance in June 2019. The dock has been operating since 1958. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    Memphis dry dock back in action

    The largest dry dock north of New Orleans, Louisiana, is back in action at the Memphis District's Ensley Engineer Yard after spending 14 months in Morgan City, Louisiana. The Memphis District dry dock, known as ‘5801', was shipped to the Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana for repairs and maintenance in June 2019. The dock has been operating since 1958.
  • IN THE PHOTO, the Dredge Hurley is docked at Ensley Engineer Yard for some much-needed repairs and the crew is now home for some rest and recuperation after another long but successful season of dredging the Mississippi River. Adrian Pirani, Dredge Hurley master, said the crew successfully removed a little more than 8 million cubic yards of sediment this season. The season was shorter than last year due to the Hurley needing maintenance done, which required the Hurley be placed on a larger dry dock down south for a few months earlier this year. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    Hurley docked after another successful dredging season

    After almost eight months of dredging the Mississippi River, the Dredge Hurley and crew are now home where the Hurley is docked at Ensley Engineer Yard for some much-needed repairs and maintenance.
  • Engines at Memphis District’s Huxtable and Graham Burke Pumping Plants needed extensive repairs to return the plants to full operation. Two service contracts were awarded and the Project Delivery Team, along with its local partners, has successfully reached project completion on both. Contrgatualtions Team.

    Projects Completed: Pumping plant engine repairs

    Engines at Memphis District’s Huxtable and Graham Burke Pumping Plants needed extensive repairs to return the plants to full operation. Two service contracts were awarded and the Project Delivery Team, along with its local partners, has successfully reached project completion on both. Congratulations Team.

  • November

    IN THE PHOTO, picture of the Zoom presentation Outreach Coordinator Brian Schneider held with University of Memphis students. This is one of several presentations Schneider has conducted as he has as true passion for giving back to the community and helping others when they need it most. (Courtesy photo)

    Giving back where it matters most

    According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the percentage of Americans without work skyrocketed from a little over 4 percent to a full-blown 14 percent between March and April this year. While that number has dwindled down in percentage points from month to month, it's still nowhere near where we were before our country was hit with COVID-19 and consequently suffered a significant collapse in the job market. This is part of what motivated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District's Brian Schneider. Schneider is the district's Outreach Coordinator and has been with the Memphis District for just over a year. As his title suggests, he's passionate about reaching out, and that's just what he did when this opportunity presented itself.

  • Mississippi Valley Division’s R5: Forging ahead for FY21

    The week of Oct. 19 – 23 was bustling at Vicksburg District headquarters as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) and District leaders convened for the annual major subordinate command (MSC) Regional Governance Boards known as R5. If you aren’t familiar with the R5, the purpose of the meeting is a financial, program, and project review of the previous fiscal year (FY) and an assessment of the upcoming three FYs with a focus on the direction of the organization through the development of Lines of Effort (LoE).
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Ensley Engineer Yard Shops Unit Chief Marvin Roddy and his son, Pumping Plant Project Manager Marsalis Roddy together outside of work and at work at Marvin’s Soybean farm. They also work together for the Memphis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This father and son pair are probably a duo many fathers and sons try to emulate, especially if they work together like the Roddy’s do. (Courtesy photos)

    A USACE father, son built strong

    Children often want to make their fathers proud, and an involved father promotes inner growth and strength. Studies have shown that when fathers are affectionate and supportive, it mostly affects a child's development. It also instills an overall sense of well-being and self-confidence in the child over time. After speaking with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers father/son duo, the evidence is clear; this father was absolutely present in his son's life. And in turn, both father and son reap the benefits while working together at the Memphis District Ensley Engineer Yard (EEY).
  • IN THE PHOTO, locations where service contracts are scheduled to be executed. These service contracts directly support this critical mission and largely contribute to maintaining the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project. Congratulations to each team for successfully executing each service contract and playing a pivotal role in our nation's thriving commerce.

    Memphis District awards several critical service contracts

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District recently awarded five service contracts in Missouri and Arkansas to maintain and improve upon the Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) Project.

  • October

    IN THE PHOTO, Bartlett police officers made a surprise visit to Contract Specialist Sequoria Wilson’s son’s birthday party, at her request, earlier this month. “They gave out goody bags to all the kids, took my son on a ride around the block, and took pictures," Wilson said. "The goody bags had masks, a BPD coin, coloring book, candy, toy shields, and more." (Courtesy photo)

    A birthday to remember

    As children, we grow up dreaming of what we want to be when we grow up. When we set our sights on something and become passionate about it, nothing can get in our way. One Memphis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers child is very interested in police officers, to say the least. Anything having to do with the police, he loves it.
  • IN THE PHOTO, members of the Infrastructure Assessment Planning and Response Team assess an area damaged by Hurricane Laura in southwestern Louisiana. The Corps evaluated a total of 52 fire stations, 53 water and wastewater facilities, and one hospital while deployed to Louisiana. (Courtesy photo)

    USACE supports storm survivors with safe structures

    Responding to disasters is one of several missions the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is tasked with. Part of answering this call is through specialized teams that go out and conduct infrastructure assessments in disaster areas. "On Aug. 29, the Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed an Infrastructure Assessment Planning and Response Team (PRT) management cell to Louisiana," Infrastructure Assessment Action Officer Doug Weber said. "When I first started on the Infrastructure Assessment team, I thought it was all about placarding peoples’ homes for safety, " Mission Specialist Adrienne Murphy said. "But in our last two deployments, we’ve been asked to perform inspections of drinking water systems, wastewater systems, and public facilities like hospitals and fire stations."
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Memphis District employees gather for a memorial earlier today at the Clifford-Davis Odell Horton Federal Building to honor and remember seven teammates, who to many of us were family, that we unfortunately lost over the last year. All seven have been and will be dearly missed. The District Commander, Corps Chaplain, Physical Support Branch Chief Lawrence “LT” Thomas, and Operations Division Chief Russell Davis III spoke words of solace and encouragement during this time where we are all experiencing a rollercoaster ride of emotions. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    Remembering our Memphis District brothers and sister

    Members of the Memphis District gathered for a memorial yesterday morning at the Clifford-Davis Odell Horton Federal Building to honor and remember seven teammates, who to many of us were family, that we unfortunately lost over the last year. An additional ceremony was held later in the day at the Ensley Engineer Yard to dedicate a newly planted tree to those seven fallen teammates. The tree was planted to replace the first commemorative tree, dedicated to all deceased U.S. Army Corps of Engineers members who had served proudly. That tree had 'lived it's given life' and was unfortunately uprooted during a strong storm in years past.

  • September

    Drone operators from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineering Research and Development Center, or ERDC, in Vicksburg, Miss., deploy forward to southwest Louisiana mid-Sept. 2020 in support of Operation Blue Roof for Hurricane Laura response. Charles McKenzie, left, and Michael Baker operate a drone in Sulfur, La., Sept. 20. On the front end of the Blue Roof mission, drones can be used to help our staff assess homes to determine eligibility for the program. On the back end, they help our quality assurance specialists verify the fiber reinforced sheeting was installed per contract specifications.

    Blue Roof recipients witness USACE innovation

    Innovating and improving processes are what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers do, especially when it comes to hurricane recovery operations. So when it came time to respond to a Hurricane like Laura, the Corps came ready to deliver temporary roofing with an upgraded Blue Roof Program.