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  • 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.
  • IN THE PHOTO, District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, and the project delivery team met with the project partner, Fulton County Board of Levee Commissioners, in Hickman, Kentucky, for a groundbreaking to celebrate the start of a seepage remediation project. (USACE Photo by Vance Harris)

    Groundbreaking, ribbon-cutting, to celebrate project start, completion

    The Memphis District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 17, 2021, to celebrate two critical construction projects in Tennessee and Kentucky. District Commander Col. Zachary Miller, district leadership, and the project delivery team members met with project partners in Ridgely, Tennessee, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The celebratory event was held to acknowledge the completion of an essential levee restoration and berm construction project. Immediately following the ceremony, district leadership and project team members traveled to the event site and met with the project partner in Hickman, Kentucky, for a groundbreaking.

  • 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).
  • IN THE PHOTOS, Memphis District Safety Advisor Harley Chase during a safety inspection on the Dredge Hurley. Chase is the safety advisor to the Memphis District Commander as well as the district. He is charged with ensuring the district complies with all safety regulations, but most importantly, he is responsible for making sure all employees get home safely each day. (USACE photos by Adrian Pirani)

    Employee Spotlight: Safety Advisor Harley Chase

    He is the safety advisor to the Memphis District Commander as well as all district employees. He is charged with ensuring the district complies with all safety regulations, but most importantly, he is responsible for making sure all employees get home safely each day. His name is Harley Chase. He is the Memphis District Safety Manager and has been doing this job for 18 years now, with one and a half of them being here in Memphis, Tennessee.

  • 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, Erika Wallace, M/V Mississippi Machinery Mechanic Ervin Wallace's daughter, at her recent high school graduation ceremony. Not only did she graduate from the Public School, Fredrick Douglas High School, on time, but she graduated as the senior class valedictorian with an astounding 4.4 GPA. Congratulations to both father and daughter for achieving this major accomplishment.

    Memphis District employee proud of Valedictorian daughter

    The Memphis District prides itself on the many achievements made by our employees throughout the year. Not only that, but we consider it especially valuable when employees and their family members experience greatness for their hard work outside of the district. Recently the district had a very special reason to celebrate. Erika Wallace, daughter of M/V Mississippi Machinery Mechanic Ervin Wallace, just graduated from Frederick Douglass Public High School as Valedictorian, with an astounding 4.4 GPA.
  • 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 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.
  • IN THE PHOTO, clockwise from top left, Company Morning Report, containing news of 1st Lt. Ponder's death; illustration by Vance Harris honoring Carper, McIntyre and Ponder; picture of 2nd Lt. John F. McIntyre; and a plaque by Memphis District employees honoring their co-worker's service and sacrifice.

    Memorial Day: Remembering Memphis District employees who made the ultimate sacrifice

    For 153 years, America has set aside a day to pay tribute to our Patriots who gave their last full measure of devotion for this country. This Memorial Day, we remember three Memphis District employees who were among the 405,399 who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting in World War II. We also remember all of our team members lost during peacetime.  1st Lt. Reeves S. Carper, 2nd Lt. John F. McIntyre, and 1st Lt. Arch R. Ponder left their jobs, co-workers, families, and friends here in Memphis to train and travel overseas to join the fight.
  • 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.”
  • Progress photos of the Forked Deer Hard Points construction project. The construction for the task order awarded was completed on the current River Repairs IDIQ Contract to Midwest Construction Company (Luhr Brothers as a sub-contractor) for $614,600. The scope of work included placing 25,600 tons of 250-pound riprap stone on the river training structures of the Mississippi River. These repairs to the navigation channel were necessary to restore the existing hardpoints and to protect eroding and over-steepened banks between and behind the structures.

    Forked Deer Hard Points repair construction complete

    "The Memphis District is responsible for maintaining a safe and dependable Mississippi River navigation channel to a minimum of 9 feet deep and 300 feet wide at all times and at all river stages," Project Manager Mark Mazzone said. That's why projects like this, the Mississippi River Channel Improvement Stone Repairs Task Order – Forked Deer Hard Points Repair, are so essential to execute as needed.
  • 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.