Corpstruction

After graduating from Memphis University (formerly Memphis State University), Lee Conley embarked on a 10 year career of active duty service with the U.S. Army. He then went on to work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at various locations while advancing to positions of progressively greater responsibility within the Southwestern Division. He started out with the Fort Worth District and worked at the Southwestern Division in Dallas, Texas, then the Little Rock District and eventually arrived at the Tulsa District where he served as the Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Management.

We spoke to Lee Conley about his 35 year career, what he helped the District accomplish, and his future plans.

Eugene Goff is the Operations Project Manager for the Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Kansas Area. The area includes eight reservoirs that provide vital flood risk mitigation, recreation and water supply for the Kansas communities. Eugene talked with Corpstruction about the many initiatives and activities taking place in Kansas and how he works with state and federal officials in the area to ensure the Corps effectively meets its mission requirements and takes advantage of opportunities to improve services.

Marion Lake Manager, Brock DeLong, talks about the impacts of a harmful algal bloom on recreation at Marion Lake and the reopening of campgrounds and boat ramps after the Kansas Department of Health and Environment lowered the risk rating level from "Hazard" to "Warning". Marion Reservoir is located in Marion, Kansas and is one of eight Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs in the "Sunflower State."

Dr. Tony Clyde, a project manager at the Tulsa District, spent the majority of his career as a limnologist studying lakes. Clyde, talks about the impacts of blue green algae, harmful algal blooms, and what's being done to address it at the federal and state level.

Chris Abner came to work for the Army Corps of Engineers in 2020, but prior to that he served on four deployments to the Middle East with the Marine Corps. On October 8, 2007, then Staff Sgt. Abner, was a vehicle commander in Al Qaim, Iraq when an improvised explosive device exploded killing his driver, Lance Cpl. Jeremy Burris of Liberty, Texas. Abner was severely injured and ultimately medically retired from the Marine Corps. On May 22, 2022 Abner completed the Tulsa IronMan competition in honor of Burris. Abner ran the 26.2 mile marathon portion while carrying an American flag with a streamer bearing Lance. Cpl. Burris' name. When he reached the finish line he presented the flag to Burris' parents who drove more than seven hours from their home in Texas to see Abner cross the finish line in honor of their son.

Park Ranger Joshua Springer of the Lake Eufaula Project Office of the Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, nearly drowned when he was four years old. If it weren’t for the quick thinking of his older sisters, Springer might have died in his family’s swimming pool at their home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Nearly two decades removed from the near-drowning experience, Springer remaines committed to educating youth about water safety. He believes in the importance of water safety education and to encourages parents to make sure children have properly fitted, US Coast Guard-approved flotation device.

By the time the first shovels break ground on a new civil works or military construction venture, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already invested thousands of hours into studying, planning, designing and contracting the project.

Kalli Egan, the regional acquisition program manager at Southwestern Division, focuses on strategies and technical integration. She works with districts to improve engineering and construction activities.

Kalli is a true success story and model USACE leader. She grew up in Amarillo, Texas but spent a lot of time in Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma State University from which she holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and a Master of Science in Engineering Technology.

Kalli’s career with the USACE began in 2001. She started as a student intern at the Tulsa District and by 2015 had become the Deputy Chief of the Engineering and Construction Division at the Tulsa District.

In 2015, Kalli left Tulsa to return to Texas. She spent two years working in the private sector supporting local, state and federal projects.

Brittany Cranor is a structural engineer at the Dam Safety Production Center, Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The DSPC is co-located with the Tulsa District. Cranor talked to Corpstruction about why she chose to work for the Corps of Engineers after a couple of years in the private sector and how mentoring has benefited her career decisions.

Throughout written history, water has been a vital resource for requirement for the growth of cities. For Nathan Westrup and Richard Rockel of the Kansas Water Office, water supply is a primary concern. The questions that keep them up at night revolve around How the "Sunflower State" will meet the water supply needs of residents and industry.

Anthony Semento is the Chief of the Regional Contingency Operations and Disaster Response for the Southwestern Division located in Dallas, Texas.

When people think of disaster response, they often think about the Federal Emergency Management Agency but what they might not realize is that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is often tasked by FEMA to execute disaster response activities.

Managing disaster response is challenging for a single district but imagine overseeing that response for a region consisting of portions of five states & a population of more than 35 million people.

Southwestern Division is comprised of four USACE districts, including Tulsa District, Galveston, Little Rock and Fort Worth. He works with Emergency Managers at those districts to keep the Division Commander apprised of what’s going on and enable needed resources are received.

Combined, the Southwestern Division covers all of Texas and Oklahoma and portions of Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.