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  • August

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District has contracted with the Inland Dredging Company, LLC, for the rental of a 24-inch hydraulic cutterhead dredge, attendant plant, and discharge pipeline for the annual maintenance dredging of ten Mississippi River harbors this year.

    Memphis District awards $11.5M contract for vital harbor dredging project to Inland Dredging Co.

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District has contracted with the Inland Dredging Company, LLC, for the rental of a 24-inch hydraulic cutterhead dredge, attendant plant, and discharge pipeline for the annual maintenance dredging of 10 Mississippi River harbors this year.   "The Memphis District is responsible for the maintenance dredging of 10 harbors within our area of responsibility," Project Delivery Team Manager Vickie Watson said. Dredging these harbors involves removing sediment from the authorized navigation channel to provide the 9-foot depth needed for fully loaded commercial barges to travel in and out of harbors safely.

  • July

    IN THE PHOTO – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters Engineering and Construction Division announced in June that Pictured is Nicholas "Nikko" Aleman, Memphis District (MVM) geotechnical section chief . He is the recipient of this year's Timothy Skeen Geotechnics Professional of the Year award, the highest honor a USACE geotechnics professional can receive. The Timothy Skeen Geotechnics Professional of the Year award recognizes one USACE geotechnics professional who has demonstrated the highest professionalism and commitment to advancing the Geotechnical, Geology, and Materials Community of Practice (GG&M COP). (USACE photo by Visual Information Specialist Vance Harris)

    Memphis District section chief named 2024 Geotechnics Professional of the Year

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters Engineering and Construction Division announced in June that Nicholas "Nikko" Aleman, the Geotechnical Section Chief for the Memphis District (MVM), is the recipient of this year's Timothy Skeen Geotechnics Professional of the Year award.
  • IN THE PHOTO, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District promoted Shane Callahan, pictured above, to the engineering and construction division chief role. In this role, he is responsible for flood risk management, engineering and construction, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and water supply projects within the Memphis District's boundaries, including portions of Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky. (USACE photo by VI Specialist Vance Harris)

    Memphis District appoints new engineering and construction division chief

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District promoted Shane Callahan to the engineering and construction division chief role. In this role, he is responsible for flood risk management, engineering and construction, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and water supply projects within the Memphis District's boundaries, including portions of Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky.

  • May

    With the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District hosting the most recent in-person conference, the entire team of Deputy District Engineers for Programs and Project Management (DPMs) traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, where they met for their semi-annual DPM Forum, which began April 30 and concluded on May 2.  The forum’s primary responsibilities are to influence and inform policy and to provide senior leadership with recommendations and actions for improvement for implementing enterprise wide. The DPM Forum was established in 2015 after USACE Senior Leaders recognized the need for a senior leader body to act as voice for the workforce. It was also crucial that this body have a level of continuity and a real-time field perspective at the district level. The forum has achieved many great milestones since its inception, some of which include creating a TEAMS site to facilitate regular, year-round communication and collaboration, and establishing another online meeting space called "Happy Hour" where DPMs can share best practices, advance networking opportunities, and elevate any problems and/or solutions within their community of practice. With an online worksite like TEAMS ensuring teamwork all year long, the DPM Forum supplements their virtual productivity with semi-annual, face-to-face meetings as well. These meeting are reserved for tackling the past year's challenges and developing strategies to best move the organization forward.

    DPM Forum paves way for one united USACE team

    With the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District hosting the most recent DPM Forum meeting, Deputy District Engineers for Programs and Project Management (DPMs) enterprise-wide traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, where they gathered for their first semi-annual meeting of the year, which started April 30 and ended May 2.  "The DPM Forum provides a venue for all district senior civilians to share valued lessons learned, identify and discuss the challenges we face, and influence policy and processes charting the future of the Programs and Project Management community of practice," said Stacey Hirata, DPM Forum Senior Executive Leader and USACE/HQ Military Programs Director for the Programs Integration Division. The forum’s primary responsibilities are to influence and inform policy and to provide senior leadership with recommendations and actions for improvement for implementing enterprise wide. The DPM Forum was established in 2015 after USACE Senior Leaders recognized the need for a senior leader body to act as voice for the workforce. It was also crucial that this body have a level of continuity and a real-time field perspective at the district level.
  • Selected after the review of all applications submitted, Metals Unit Leaderman Joey Cabay will advance to the headquarters level as the single Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) nominee for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters Operations and Maintenance Castle Award. The esteemed Operations and Maintenance Castle Award is awarded to one USACE Civil Works employee with a history of outstanding performance in operations and maintenance support. Applicants are evaluated for their technical skill, customer service, innovation, safety, and self-development. Since his start with USACE in 2018, Cabay has become a master welder and leaderman, conquered the art of customer service, and is committed to advancing his craft through continued training and thinking outside the box. Adding to his technical education, Cabay has also completed several self-development courses, including the Memphis District Leadership Development Program and the Mississippi Valley Division Emerging Enterprise Leader Program. Finally, Cabay prioritizes workplace safety above all else, and dedicates significant time and energy to this program as a collateral duty safety officer.

    Excellence in Operations, Maintenance Support | MVD nominates Cabay for HQUSACE Castle Award

    Selected after the review of all applications submitted, Metals Unit Leaderman Joey Cabay will advance to the headquarters level as the single Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) nominee for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters Operations and Maintenance Castle Award. The esteemed Operations and Maintenance Castle Award is awarded to one USACE Civil Works employee with a history of outstanding performance in operations and maintenance support. Applicants are evaluated for their technical skill, customer service, innovation, safety, and self-development.

  • April

    The Mississippi River Commission conducted its annual high-water inspection trip April 8-12, 2024. Four public meetings aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi also took place in selected towns along the river. The Commission and the Corps value the opportunity to hear issues and concerns firsthand through the public hearing process. Interaction with congressional, federal, and state interests, local boards, non-government organizations, and the public is crucial to the decision-making process for the nation's water resources. The Mississippi River Commission brings critical engineering representation to the drainage basin, which impacts 41% of the United States and includes 1.25 million square miles, over 250 tributaries, 31 states, and two Canadian provinces.

    Memphis District positions for annual High Water Inspection Trip, hosts partners, stakeholders on upstream trip to

    The Mississippi River Commission conducted its annual high-water inspection trip on the Mississippi River, April 8-12, 2024. The commission held four public meetings in select towns while aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi. The Memphis District stopped in two of the four cities for public meetings.

  • March

    IN THE PHOTO, Congratulations to Ms. Ingrid Kimble, pictured above, on her selection as February Employee of the Month! According to her nomination, “Ms. Kimble has been very instrumental in boosting the Resource Management team’s morale by creating a welcoming professional environment to work in. She has a creative, helpful, gentle spirit and her willingness to MANUALLY work hard is unmatched. Ingrid coordinated with Contracting, ULA, and a moving company to collect old, unused, and broken-down equipment from three of Resource Management’s internal offices and had the equipment transferred to Ensley Engineer Yard.”

    Congratulations to the Memphis District February Employee of the Month

    Congratulations to Ms. Ingrid Kimble on her selection as February Employee of the Month! According to her nomination, “Ms. Kimble has been very instrumental in boosting the Resource Management team’s morale by creating a welcoming professional environment to work in. She has a creative, helpful, gentle spirit and her willingness to MANUALLY work hard is unmatched. Ingrid coordinated with Contracting, ULA, and a moving company to collect old, unused, and broken-down equipment from three of Resource Management’s internal offices and had the equipment transferred to Ensley Engineer Yard.”

  • February

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District (MVM) hosted their first ever two-day lndustry Day business event on Feb. 20 and 21 at the Memphis, Tennessee, Renasant Convention Center. Industry Day is a Department of Defense (DoD) Program Management Office (PMO) event providing federal contractors the opportunity to network with each other and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers professionals. It also allowed the Memphis District to highlight different program areas and further ensure the district’s competency and capacity to deliver the mission.

    Memphis District hosts first-ever two-day Industry Day, deemed successful, more informative

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District (MVM) hosted their first ever two-day lndustry Day business event on Feb. 20 and 21 at the Memphis, Tennessee, Renasant Convention Center.  Industry Day is a Department of Defense (DoD) Program Management Office (PMO) event providing federal contractors the opportunity to network with each other and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers professionals.

  • January

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, congratulates and bids farewell to Mr. Loy A. Hamilton, who retires after 40 remarkable years of dedicated service to the Corps of Engineers and the communities it serves. Hamilton’s distinguished leadership and flexibility were highly visible throughout his career, as was his unwavering commitment to personal growth and education. Some of his more impressive educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Arkansas State University, a Level II Contracting DAWIA Certification, and Level II Facilities Engineering training and certification. Hamilton is also a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Arkansas.

    Congratulations on your retirement, Loy Hamilton!

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, congratulates and bids farewell to Mr. Loy A. Hamilton, who retires after 40 remarkable years of dedicated service to the Corps of Engineers and the communities it serves. Hamilton's four-decade career was nothing short of extraordinary. His depth of knowledge and wide-ranging experience made him an invaluable team member, and his commitment to the  USACE mission, personal and professional growth, and the STEM initiative made him an inspiration to many.

  • August

    Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser and several members of the district leadership team traveled to Mhoon Bend, Mississippi, on July 12, to visit the district's Bank Grading Unit team and observe the new bank grader, Grader 1, in action for the first time since its arrival and christening earlier this year. With this year’s revetment season now in full swing, the BGU is laser-focused on accomplishing two key objectives, with the first being training, both contractor-led and on-the-job, to attain the necessary certifications and practice according to each employees' role. Additionally, unit operators will use this first test site to calibrate the newly constructed machine, ensuring it's “put through the paces,” so to speak. Additionally, unit operators will use this first test site to calibrate the newly constructed machine, ensuring it's “put through the paces,” so to speak.

    New Bank Grading Unit “Grader 1” | Begins season with focus on calibration, training

    Memphis District Commander Col. Brian Sawser, Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management Donny Davidson, Operations Division Chief Andrea Williams, Channel Improvement Project Manager Zach Cook, and Regional Channel Improvement Coordinator Jake Storz, traveled to Mhoon Bend, Mississippi, on July 12, to visit the Memphis District Bank Grading Unit team and observe the new bank grader, Grader 1, in action for the first time since its arrival and christening earlier this year. The district’s Bank Grading Unit (BGU) is the second field activity of Revetment Operations following the Clearing and Snagging Unit. It grades the banks of the Mississippi River to the proposed design slopes to support the sinking of Articulated Concrete Mattress (ACM) performed by the Vicksburg District’s Mat Sinking Unit.

  • July

    Memphis District awards contract Stewart Towhead Dikes & Dike Stone Repairs

    The Memphis District continues its 141-year 'winning' tradition of safely delivering quality projects on time and within budget by recently awarding two separate contracts for Mississippi River dike repair and construction projects.

  • June

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District maintains a safe and dependable navigation channel for 355 miles of the Mississippi River. It delivers on this charge by constructing dikes and other river training structures, performing revetment and dredging operations, and executing several other navigation and flood risk management projects. The Memphis District completes dozens of projects annually to ensure a safe and reliable waterway, most recently partnering with Commercial Towing Interests, represented by the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), to carry out a dike construction and restoration project in New Madrid, Missouri.

    Dike restoration project minimizes excessive dredging, supports river

    The Memphis District completes dozens of projects annually to ensure a safe and reliable waterway, most recently partnering with Commercial Towing Interests, represented by the Lower Mississippi River Committee (LOMRC), to carry out a dike construction and restoration project in New Madrid, Missouri.

  • 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 Metals Unit Welder/Fitter Leaderman, Mr. Joey Cabay, on his Employee of the Month recognition for the month of February! On top of the responsibilities handled by a Welder, Metal Worker, and Fitter, Cabay regularly takes on much more than what is asked of him.

    Congrats to February Employee of the Month, Joey Cabay!

    Congratulations to Metals Unit Welder/Fitter Leaderman, Mr. Joey Cabay, on his Employee of the Month recognition for the month of February! On top of the responsibilities handled by a Welder, Metal Worker, and Fitter, Cabay regularly takes on much more than what is asked of him.
  • 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.
  • Congratulations to the Memphis District for reaching a major project milestone on March 8, 2023, and for awarding a task order for dike construction at Below Walnut Bend and Shoofly Bar near Helena, Arkansas. The project delivery team awarded the task order via the Mississippi River Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC), with $6,055,440 going to contractor Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Contract funding came from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) provided by Congress in late 2021.

    Contract awarded for Mississippi River dike construction near Helena, Arkansas

    Congratulations to the Memphis District for reaching a major project milestone on March 8, 2023, and for awarding a task order for dike construction at Below Walnut Bend and Shoofly Bar near Helena, Arkansas. The project delivery team awarded the task order via the Mississippi River Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC), with $6,055,440 going to contractor Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Contract funding came from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Act of 2022 (DRSAA) provided by Congress in late 2021. “This work is critical to helping maintain the navigation channel crossing in this reach of the river and we are thankful for the continued investment being made by Congress in our river infrastructure,” Memphis District Channel Improvement Project Manager Zach Cook said.