In the News

The Army has picked Maj. Gen William H. (Butch) Graham Jr. to be its next Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the Corps of Engineers.

Graham currently is deputy chief of engineers and commanding general for civil works and emergency operations. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced Graham's selection July 10. Graham's nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

If confirmed, Graham would lead one of the most prominent federal infrastructure organizations, including 37,000 civilians and soldiers.

The Corps' responsibilities include river locks, flood protection and other civil works projects and military construction domestically and abroad.

Graham's selection is no surprise, given his long career which includes senior Army positions in both the U.S. and overseas.

Among them are key Corps posts, including commanding its North Atlantic Division, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Before that, he headed the Corps’ Pittsburgh District. He also served as the Corps’ chief of staff, based at its Washington, D.C., headquarters.

Industry group Waterways Council Inc. praised Graham's nomination. Tracy Zea, WCI president and CEO, said, "He has been a strong partner and supporter of the inland waterways and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the years ahead,"

Graham's other Army assignments include director of the Coalition-Joint Engineering Directorate, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, which supported Operation Enduring Freedom.

If confirmed by the Senate, Graham would succeed Lt. Gen., Scott A. Spellmon, whose four-year term as Chief ends on Sept. 13. Spellmon, 60, also rose to the Chief's position from leading its civil and emergency operations programs.