In the News

The U.S. Army has announced a batch of promotions and new assignments among its senior ranks, including several changes in leadership positions at the Corps of Engineers, at its headquarters and in key divisions.

The new Corps personnel moves are among more than 30 that the Army announced on Deb.18. Such announcements are typical for the Army, including the Corps. The officers will begin their new assignments later this year at change-of-command ceremonies.

The most-senior change at the Corps is the appointment of Maj. Gen. William H. (Butch) Graham Jr., to be the Army’s deputy chief of engineers and the Corps’ deputy commanding general—the No. 2 position at the Corps.

Graham has been the Corps' deputy commanding general of civil and emergency operations since 2020.

He will succeed Maj. Gen. Richard Heitkamp, who has been the deputy chief since February 2021. The Army did not say what Heitkamp’s new position will be.

Succeeding Graham in the civil and emergency operations position is Maj. Gen David C. Hill, who has been commandant of the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., since September 2021. 

The Army's Chief of Engineers and Corps commanding general, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, remains in his positions. Corps chiefs typically serve terms of about four years. Spellmon has been chief since September 2020.

Among other new changes, Brig. Gen. Kimberly A. Peeples was named commanding general of the high-profile Mississippi Valley Division, headquartered in Vicksburg, Miss. Peeples has led the Great Lakes and Ohio River Div. since June 2021.

She succeeds Maj. Gen. Diana M. Holland, who has led the Mississippi Valley Div. since June 2020. The Army did not announce what Holland’s next assignment will be.

Brig. Gen Mark C. Quander will move from his position as commandant of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to be commanding general of the Corps’ Great Lakes and Ohio River Div., succeeding Peeples.

Maj. Gen. Kimberly M. Colloton will remain deputy commanding general for military operations, a post she assumed last August.