The U.S. Army has named a new deputy chief of the Corps of Engineers, Maj. Gen. Kimberly M. Colloton, who, a corps spokesman confirmed, is the first woman to hold the position of deputy chief of engineers. and Deputy Commanding General.
The Army Chief of Staff announced Colloton’s promotion to the No. 2 Corps post on April 3. Since August 2022, he is the Deputy Commanding General of the Corps for Military and International Operations.
In this role, Colloton has been responsible for overseeing more than $22 billion in design, construction and environmental programs for the Army, US Air Force, other branches of the Department of Defense, non-military federal agencies and foreign nations.
In his new role, Colloton will succeed Maj. Gen. William H. (Butch) Graham, who has been deputy chief since May 2023.
Colloton’s numerous military assignments have included commanding the Transatlantic and South Pacific Corps divisions, as well as his Afghanistan district in “Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.”
Other assignments with the Corps include command of its Los Angeles and Albuquerque districts.
Colloton’s promotion was among 37 general officer shifts announced by the Army on April 3. The other Corps-related change in the group was the appointment of Colonel Joseph C. Goetz II as commander of its Pacific Ocean Division, based at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Goetz has been commandant of the Army School of Engineers at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
In the Pacific Ocean Division, Goetz will succeed Brig. Gen. Kirk E. Gibbs, who on March 4 was named to lead the Corps’ Northwest Division, based in Portland, Ore.
Change of command ceremonies for corps leaders usually take place several months after leadership changes are announced. Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon remains the commanding general of the Corps and the Army Chief of Engineers, positions he has held since September 2020. Corps chiefs typically serve four-year terms.
