Mr. John Drake assumed the position of Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District on February 3, 2019.
As the Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management, he is the senior advisor to the district commander and leads a civilian and military workforce of more than 350 personnel in executing the diverse mission of providing military construction, civil works, and interagency support throughout New Mexico, southern Colorado, and far west Texas. The Albuquerque District performs design, construction, and operations and maintenance services for all three Air Force installations in the state of New Mexico and nine lake projects throughout the area. Prior to moving to the Albuquerque District, Mr. Drake served as the Deputy District Engineer for the Afghanistan District as a deployed civilian.
Mr. Drake comes from Phoenix, Arizona, and the Los Angeles District where he was the chief, International & Interagency Services (IIS) Branch, Programs and Project Management Division, Los Angeles District. Mr. Drake lead a team of project managers who provided oversight for the programs and project management activities related to execution of the LA District's complex and diversified IIS Programs. Mr. Drake engaged customers, such as Veterans Administration and the Customs & Border Patrol, and other federal agencies, to ensure LA District is providing engineering and construction support to their missions with efficient and timely execution of their requirements. Mr. Drake has also served as the Senior Project Manager for the Civil Works Program for Arizona and Nevada. In this position he provided program management and LA District representation to cities, counties, flood control districts, and the State of Arizona regarding Civil Works Water Resources Development.
Mr. Drake deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom as the Chief of Water & Infrastructure, USFOR-A, and Special Assistant to the Joint Engineer for Infrastructure from 2010-2011.
Mr. Drake then returned to Afghanistan in 2012 with USACE Transatlantic Division as the Chief of Programs. He then was selected as the Chief, Infrastructure Division, Joint Programs Integration Office (JPIO), U.S. Forces - Afghanistan. The Infrastructure Division managed multiple infrastructure programs (MILCON, AIF, CERP, and ARP) worth over $5 billion in construction and engineering. Mr. Drake served as the principal advisor to the JPIO Director (SES) on program and construction management and formulating the strategic direction for infrastructures programs to support national security objectives in Afghanistan. His most recent deployment in Afghanistan was as the Deputy District Engineer for the Afghanistan District, USACE.
Mr. Drake has also deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, first as the Deputy for Electrical Sector (a $5.3 billion program) with Project and Contracting Office (PCO) and then as Deputy Director for Programs at the Gulf Region Division (GRD) for three years in 2005-2009.
Mr. Drake has been awarded multiple civilian service awards, including the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment Bronze de Fluery, Joint Chief of Staff Commendation for Civilian Service, and Superior Civilian Service (7) Award.