The Army has chosen Major General William H. (Butch) Graham Jr. to be his next Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the Corps of Engineers.
Graham is currently the deputy chief of engineers and commanding general for civil works and emergency operations. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced Graham’s selection on July 10. Graham’s nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
If confirmed, Graham would lead one of the largest federal infrastructure organizations, including 37,000 civilians and soldiers.
The Corps’ responsibilities include river locks, flood protection, and other civil works and military construction projects domestically and overseas.
Graham’s selection comes as no surprise, given his long career that includes senior military positions both in the US and abroad.
Among them are key positions in the Corps, including command of its North Atlantic Division, based in Brooklyn, New York, before that he led the Pittsburgh District of the Corps. He also served as the Corps’ Chief of Staff, headquartered in Washington, DC.
Industry group Waterways Council Inc. praised Graham’s nomination. Tracy Zea, president and CEO of WCI, said: “He has been a strong partner and supporter of inland waterways and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the years to come.”
Graham’s other Army assignments include director of the Coalition’s 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 Sept. 13. Spellmon also rose to the position of chief from leading its civil and emergency operations programs.
