Mississippi Valley Division Podcasts

This podcast celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with panelists who share their cultural experiences.

Mississippi Valley Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Diana Holland hosted another "In the Valley: Strengthening the Team" virtual forum focused on Juneteenth: National Independence Day. Panelists included USACE Southwestern Division's Ms. Réneé Roland, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's Dr. Kevin Abraham, and USACE St. Louis District commander Col. Kevin Golinghorst.

Each panelist contributed significant facts and advice and provided their thoughts and answers to questions regarding the historical context, how to educate others on the importance of the holiday, and ways to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth.

The "In the Valley Tribal Discussion" moderated by Major General Diana Holland features a discussion between Ms. Michelle Larson, MVP Hydraulic Engineer, Mr. Mark Gilfillan, TNTCX Senior Tribal Liaison/Project Manager and Dr. Simone Whitecloud, ERDC Research Ecologist. The discussion focuses on the rich history, each persons perspective and future hopes for partnerships with Native Americans and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

On October 14, 2021, MVD commanding general Maj. Gen. Diana Holland hosted an "In the Valley: Strengthening the Team" forum. The forum was focused on Maintaining and Operating the Mississippi River, and panelists Mr. Barry Sullivan, Chief of the Mat Sinking Unit, Vicksburg District, Ms. Jane Mathison, Lockmaster Lock and Dam #8, St. Paul District and Capt. Edward Morehouse, Master and Captain of the Dredge WHEELER, New Orleans District, discussed each of their specific career fields along with the challenges and rewards associated and then how they each continue to contribute to the USACE mission.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) Commanding General Maj. Gen. Diana Holland hosted a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Virtual Forum on July 15, 2021. The topic for the forum was ‘In the Valley: The Reasonable Accommodation Process’, and panelists included Stacy Sigman, Natural Resource Manager for the Vicksburg District Lake Ouachita Field Office, Willie Day, MVD Equal Employee Opportunity (EEO) Manager, and Rachal Deahl, Rock Island District EEO Manager

This particular discussion focused on the panelists' individual roles associated with the RA process. Topics included how to request a RA, a supervisor's responsibility, the Disability Program Manager's role, an actual real example of a RA request that was processed, and RA's related to COVID.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) Commanding General Maj. Gen. Diana Holland hosted a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Virtual Forum on April 29, 2021. The topic for the forum was ‘In the Valley: Female Leader Perspectives’, and panelists included the top female Deputy District Engineers for Programs Project Management (DPM) throughout the region; Rock Island District DPM Kim Thomas, St. Louis District DPM Susan Wilson, and Vicksburg District DPM Pat Hemphill.

This particular discussion focused on women in the workplace and their perspectives. Topics discussed included personal testimonies, mentoring and leadership roles, negative stereotyping , challenges associated with women in the workplace, COVID impacts and future recommendations.