The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District welcomed a new commanding officer during a change of command ceremony at the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton, Ill.
Col. Anthony P. Mitchell succeeded Col. Christopher G. Hall as District Engineer in a public ceremony at Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Brig. Gen. Peter A. “Duke” DeLuca, commander of the Corps’ Mississippi Valley Division and President-designee of the Mississippi River Commission, presided over the event.
“ Col. Chris Hall has clearly left a positive and enduring legacy of contributions to the St. Louis District,” DeLuca said in his remarks. “ He also approached command with persistent determination to deliver project and study outcomes, and a steadfast dedication to support his team and encourage initiative.”
Mitchell assumed duties as the 51st Commander of the St. Louis District after serving as the Director, Operational Energy and Contingency Basing Task Force in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Army (Installations, Energy and Environment). He previously served as commander of the Corps of Engineers’ Nashville District and the Iraq Area Office, Middle East District in Baghdad, Iraq. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, a Master of Science Degree in Engineering (Construction Engineering and Project Management) from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Masters of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University.
“The St. Louis Engineer District faces a diverse set of challenges in support of the region and nation,” Mitchell said. “The district’s team of professionals and our partners throughout the region make me confident in what we as a region can accomplish together.”
The St. Louis District is strategically located at the crossroads of three major river systems: the Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri. The mission of the District is to manage the 300 mile Mississippi River watershed above the Ohio River by applying engineering, scientific, and other resources while preserving, restoring and enhancing the environment; and maintaining core competencies needed to respond to local and national emergencies and technical requirements.
USACE, June 30, 2014