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  • March

    IN THE PHOTO, District Commander Col. Zachary Miller presents Dr. Zuzana Chovanec, district archeologist, with the Employee of the Month certificate, Mar. 29, 2022. Congratulations, Zuzana! The district thanks and appreciates you for all you do in support of the Memphis District mission!

    Dr. Zuzana Chovanec is Memphis District Employee of the Month

    Congratulations to Dr. Zuzana Chovanec, district archeologist, for her selection as the Memphis District Employee of the Month!

  • February

    With more than 33 years of federal service, Engineering and Construction (E&C) Division Chief Steve Williamson recently concluded one chapter and is now starting another. To help him close out this chapter of life, we're taking a look back to celebrate his life and career with the Memphis District.

    A look back: Williamson’s 33 years of service

    With more than 33 years of federal service, Engineering and Construction (E&C) Division Chief Steve Williamson recently completed one life chapter and is now starting another. To help him close out this part of life, we're taking a look back to celebrate his life and career with the Memphis District.
  • Lindsay Barrios is a geographic information systems specialist for the Memphis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Additionally, she's a valued member of the Memphis District team. Barrios’ responsibilities include obtaining and/or creating geographic data to create visual representations using Geographic Information Systems software and applications. She also helps identify spatial relationships that are useful in the district’s decision-making process. Thank you, Lindsay, for all you've done and continue to do for this district and the community in which it serves.

    Employee Spotlight: Geographic Information Systems Specialist Lindsay Barrios

    This month, we’re featuring Geographic Information Systems Specialist Lindsay Barrios. Barrios was born and raised in Fort Payne, Alabama. After graduating from high school, she moved to Tennessee to study geology and geography at the University of Memphis. In February of 2018, Barrios officially became a member of the USACE Memphis District team. She said she was excited to work for the Corps for many reasons, which include the district’s mission as well as the leadership present throughout each of its offices.

  • January

    IN THE PHOTOS, (left) Regulatory Supervisor Ben Pitcock flood duty in the Cairo, Illinois area back in 2016. (right) Pitcock with his wife and children (“My most important people). To show how much we value our employees, we highlight one district professional every month by asking a few questions about their position and how they got to where they are today. This month, we are highlighting Regulatory Division Supervisor Benjamin Pitcock. Pitcock said his duties consist of leading a high-performing and technically advanced team of USACE professionals. The professionals he’s alluding to manage a program committed to protecting the Nation's aquatic resources while allowing reasonable development through fair, flexible and balanced permit decisions. The Corps evaluates permit applications for essentially all construction activities in the Nation's waters, including wetlands.

    Employee Spotlight: Regulatory Supervisor Ben Pitcock

    In any business, it's the people that make it work. Without a team, organizations fail. On top of everything else valued, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District values every one of its employees very much. To show how much we value them, we highlight one district employee every month by asking about their position, what it’s like to work for the Corps, and how they got to where they are today. This month, we are highlighting Regulatory Division Supervisor Benjamin Pitcock.

  • December

    Structural Engineer Phillip Pinkston celebrates his retirement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after an impressive 48 years of federal service. During his retirement ceremony, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller presented Pinkston with a Civilian Service Commendation Medal, Certificate of Retirement, and a special Certificate of Thanks. Pinkston spent two years with the Army Depot in Lexington before moving to Memphis, Tennessee, to work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Throughout the next 46 years, Pinkston would hold the positions of civil engineering technician, engineering draftsman, and finally, structural engineer. His more memorable project is his first, which was developing a repair design for a levee slide at the Huxtable Pumping Station. Congratulations again on your retirement, Mr. Phillip Pinkston, and many thanks for your dedicated service to the Memphis District, the Mississippi Valley Division, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (USACE photos by Vance Harris)

    A look back: Pinkston's 48 years of service

    After an astonishing 48 years of combined federal service, Phillip Pinkston has decided to hang his hat, celebrating both the end and beginning of two of life’s most rewarding chapters. To celebrate his well-deserved retirement, we’re taking a look back to acknowledge all he accomplished, hear from the people he positively impacted, and more.
  • Real Estate Chief Hugh Coleman celebrates his retirement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after an impressive 36 years of federal service. During his retirement ceremony, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller presented Coleman with a Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, Certificate of Retirement, and a special Certificate of Thanks. Among his many career accomplishments, Coleman successfully led the Memphis real estate team to acquire perpetual easements for the St. Francis Basin, resulting in $5.5 million in land payments and achieving a successful contract award for each area's project. Congratulations again on your retirement, Mr. Hugh Coleman, and many thanks for your dedicated service to the Memphis District, the Mississippi Valley Division, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (USACE photos by Vance Harris)

    A look back: Coleman's 36 years of service

    Real Estate Chief Hugh Coleman recently retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after an incredible 36 years of federal service. To celebrate and recognize his accomplishments, we take a look back at his eventful and inspiring life and career.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Commander Col. Zachary Miller presents Program Analyst Lisa Word with a Certificate of Retirement at her retirement ceremony. Word is retiring after an impressive 32 years of federal service. (USACE photos by Vance Harris)

    A look back: Word's 32 years of service

    She undertook the great responsibility of project oversight and financial analysis while her coworkers deployed in support of the 2011 Mississippi River Flood. Additionally, she quickly developed a complete understanding of the complex skills required to execute the Mississippi River and Tributaries maintenance program. These are just a few of many things Program Analyst Lisa Word accomplished before retiring after 32 years of federal service.   
  • 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.

  • November

    IN THE PHOTO, The Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley was welcomed home after returning to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis Harbor, Sunday morning, Nov. 21. Their homecoming signifies the end of yet another highly productive dredging season. (Photo courtesy of Dredge Hurley Master Adrian Pirani)

    Dredge Hurley returns after completing impressive season

    The Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley was welcomed home after returning to its home port, Ensley Engineer Yard in Memphis Harbor, Sunday morning, Nov. 21. Their homecoming signifies the end of yet another highly productive dredging season. The Hurley started this season May 3. And in just over six months’ time, the crew dredged several hundred miles of the Lower Mississippi River.     
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Leadership, project partners, and project delivery team members gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of significant projects involving the replacement of culverts in both the northern and southern sides of the Mound City Pump Station and the installation of several relief wells in Mound City through Cairo. (USACE PHOTO/ Vance Harris)

    Celebrating one of five ribbon-cuttings/groundbreakings in two days

    Memphis District Commander, Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, the Cairo Drainage District, Mound City, Illinois, and Project Delivery Team members all gathered to celebrate the completion of significant projects involving the replacement of culverts in both the northern and southern sides of the Mound City Pump Station and the installation of several relief wells in Mound City through Cairo.

  • July

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Planning and Response Team members respond to the Hurricane Laura aftermath in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area. The Memphis District actively responds to emergencies throughout the country, assisting in the form of the Blue Roof Program, debris removal, temporary housing and infrastructure support, and temporary emergency power.

    USACE Planning and Response Teams: Volunteering when disaster strikes

    Emergency preparedness and response is primarily a state and local responsibility. However, in instances when the nature of the disaster exceeds the capabilities of state and local interests, the Corps of Engineers may provide help to save human life, prevent immediate human suffering, and/or mitigate property damage. The Memphis District actively responds to emergencies throughout the country, assisting in the form of the Blue Roof Program, debris removal, temporary housing and infrastructure support, and temporary emergency power. This team of USACE pre-trained volunteers is known as the Planning and Response Team (PRT).

  • June

    Congratulations to Memphis District project delivery team members for their recent work and efforts towards rehabilitating 128 existing relief wells just south of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The contract was awarded to Kinder Brothers Excavating, Inc. on Sept. 16, 2020, for $1,547,550.

    Substantial completion of Nash Relief Well Rehabilitation

    Congratulations to Memphis District project delivery team members for their recent work to rehabilitate 128 existing relief wells just south of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
  • IN THE PHOTOS, photos of the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

    Wildlife Refuge repair and cleanup project completed ahead of schedule

    Many may be unaware, but one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ more common missions throughout our country is environmental stewardship. The Memphis District is one of many districts to work closely with other environmental and regulatory agencies to protect existing natural resources, cultural assets, historic sites, and endangered species. In executing this critical mission, the Memphis District, along with hired labor teams, recently completed extensive scour repairs and debris removal to assist with protecting wildlife within the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located in Mississippi County, Arkansas.  

  • May

    IN THE PHOTO, Darian Chasteen and his family. Chasteen recently passed away, losing a hard-fought battle with cancer. While he is physically no longer with the district, his legacy will live on through stories and memories forever.

    Remembering a Memphis District hero, brother

    The Memphis District and Chasteen family recently lost a beloved member to a hard-fought battle with cancer. Darian Chasteen, who most recently held the Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch Deputy Chief title, passed away on May 7, 2021. While no longer physically with us, his legacy will forever live on. Chasteen served more than 30 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District. During that time, he made many friends and touched numerous lives. In honor of his life and the contributions he made, we take a look back at his life, happy and thankful to have known such a person.
  • IN THE PHOTO, Memphis District Commander Col. Zachary Miller (right) welcomes back recent deployed employee General Engineer Aaron Ray (center) from his tour in Afghanistan. While deployed, Ray served as an electrical engineer, general engineer, and Contract Officer Representative. Welcome home, Ray!

    Memphis District employee returns home from Afghanistan

    The Memphis District recently welcomed back Electrical and General Engineer Aaron Ray from his deployment to Afghanistan. Ray deployed as an Area Support Group - Afghanistan (ASG-A) electrical engineer responsible for reviewing and approving all support requests for Task Force Power throughout Afghanistan. 
  • 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 PHOTOS, Regulatory Technical Expert Tim Flinn recently retired after 32 years of federal service, 29 of those years being with the Memphis District. The photos above were taken during his retirement ceremony on April 29, 2021. Congratulations, Tim, and thank you for your many years of service to this district, division, and nation. You will be missed!

    A look back: Flinn's 32 years of service

    "He's worked on many projects throughout his career," Regulatory Retiree Randy Clark recalled. "His analytical insight to many Regulatory projects has been incredible and made projects better. He looked at projects from a close perspective and at the 10,000-mile-high view. He always knew when each approach was necessary and best." Clark is describing newly retired Regulatory Technical Expert Tim Flinn. Flinn served a total of 32 years of federal service before deciding he was ready to retire.
  • 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.

  • April

    IN THE PHOTOS, photos of the Memphis District’s Dredge Hurley on the Ensley Engineer Yard dry dock, getting repaired after much of the south, including Memphis, Tennessee, was hit hard with frigid temperatures in mid-February this year. From frozen pipes to no electricity, many people and structures were impacted by the icy weather, including the district’s Dredge Hurley. It took approximately one month and multiple Ensley Engineer Yard crews to thaw out and repair the dredge. Now that the Dredge Hurley is thawed and repaired, it’s ready to dredge the Mississippi River, which is scheduled to start within the next two weeks. (USACE photos by Jessica Haas)

    Memphis District Hurley: Thawed out and ready to dredge

    During most off seasons, maintaining the Hurley takes a few months and a couple of crews to get everything done. This off-season was a bit different, as unexpected weather posed more obstacles than usual. Much of the south, including Memphis, Tennessee, was hit hard with frigid temperatures in mid-February this year. The last time Memphians experienced weather like this was in 1994.  From frozen pipes to no electricity, many people and structures were impacted by the icy weather, including the district’s Dredge Hurley.