News Story Archive

New South Pacific Commander Visits Albuquerque District

Albuquerque District Public Affairs
Published Aug. 15, 2013
Alicia Austin-Johnson, project manager, USACE, Albuquerque district, discusses the Middle Rio Grande Restoration Project with Col. Turner at the project site.

Alicia Austin-Johnson, project manager, USACE, Albuquerque district, discusses the Middle Rio Grande Restoration Project with Col. Turner at the project site.

Col. Turner attending a partnering meeting with members of Santa Ana Pueblo and Pueblo de Cochiti, (l-r): Dr. Ron Kneebone, tribal liaison, USACE, Albuquerque District; Phoebe Suina, hydrologic consultant, Pueblo de Cochiti; John D’Antonio, deputy district engineer, programs and project management, USACE, Albuquerque district; Jacob Chavez, director of natural resources, Pueblo de Cochiti; Regis Pecos, former governor, Pueblo de Cochiti; Col. C. David Turner, commander, South Pacific Division; Bruce Tafoya, governor, Santa Clara Pueblo; Michael Chavarria, former governor, Santa Clara Pueblo; Lt. Col. Antoinette Gant, commander, USACE, Albuquerque District; Ryan Weiss, Consultant, Pueblo de Cochiti; Matt Tafoya, deputy director, forestry department, Santa Clara Pueblo.

Col. Turner attending a partnering meeting with members of Santa Ana Pueblo and Pueblo de Cochiti, (l-r): Dr. Ron Kneebone, tribal liaison, USACE, Albuquerque District; Phoebe Suina, hydrologic consultant, Pueblo de Cochiti; John D’Antonio, deputy district engineer, programs and project management, USACE, Albuquerque district; Jacob Chavez, director of natural resources, Pueblo de Cochiti; Regis Pecos, former governor, Pueblo de Cochiti; Col. C. David Turner, commander, South Pacific Division; Bruce Tafoya, governor, Santa Clara Pueblo; Michael Chavarria, former governor, Santa Clara Pueblo; Lt. Col. Antoinette Gant, commander, USACE, Albuquerque District; Ryan Weiss, Consultant, Pueblo de Cochiti; Matt Tafoya, deputy director, forestry department, Santa Clara Pueblo.

Col. Turner meets with stakeholders, (l-r):  
Subhas Shah, CEO/chief engineer, Rio Grande Conservancy District; Mike Hamman, area manager, Bureau of Reclamation; Lt. Col. Antoinette Gant, commander, USACE, Albuquerque District; Estevan Lopez, director, Interstate Stream Commission; Col. C. David Turner, commander, USACE, South Pacific Division; Larry Blair, engineer advisor, Eastern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority; Scott Verhines, New Mexico state engineer; Rolf Schmidt-Peterson, Rio Grande Basin manager, Interstate Stream Commission; John D’Antonio, deputy district engineer, programs and project management, USACE, Albuquerque District.

Col. Turner meets with stakeholders, (l-r): Subhas Shah, CEO/chief engineer, Rio Grande Conservancy District; Mike Hamman, area manager, Bureau of Reclamation; Lt. Col. Antoinette Gant, commander, USACE, Albuquerque District; Estevan Lopez, director, Interstate Stream Commission; Col. C. David Turner, commander, USACE, South Pacific Division; Larry Blair, engineer advisor, Eastern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority; Scott Verhines, New Mexico state engineer; Rolf Schmidt-Peterson, Rio Grande Basin manager, Interstate Stream Commission; John D’Antonio, deputy district engineer, programs and project management, USACE, Albuquerque District.

The Albuquerque District was honored to host the new Commander of the South Pacific Division, Col. C. David Turner, July 29-31, 2013. The purpose of this visit was for Col. Turner to meet members of the Albuquerque team, stakeholders and partners, and familiarize himself with the unique mission and projects of the District.

Col. Turner took command of the South Pacific Division June 19, 2013. He is planning on visiting all four of the division’s districts by October 1, 2013. The four districts are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and Albuquerque.

During his visit, Col. Turner met and received briefings from members of the corporate board, division chiefs and project managers. Col. Turner also had the opportunity to meet with several important stakeholders and partners.

Col Turner visited several project sites on Kirtland Air Force base, including the FY11 Armament, Fuel Cell Maintenance and Corrosion Control Facility project site. He also met with staff at the Kirtland Resident Office. “You folks in the resident offices are the ones who have the opportunity to deliver our projects on time, under budget and meet the customer’s expectations,” he said. “Thank you so much to each and every one of you for your valuable hard work and attention to detail.”

Col. Turner also visited the Los Alamos National Laboratories, with Milo Gerber, Los Alamos program manager, Albuquerque District, and the District Command. He also participated in a joint partnering meeting with the leading members of two Native American Tribes, Santa Clara Pueblo and the Pueblo de Cochiti. Tribal leaders beautifully articulated a brief history of their tribal nations, and discussed the recent fires and flood events which have had life changing impacts on their people, their livelihood and their nations. “The discussions that we have had here today have given me excellent information as to your situations here in New Mexico,” said Col. Turner. “I am committed to doing all that I am able to do to assist you in any way possible within my power.”

The commander also toured the Middle Rio Grande Restoration project site in the Bosque. This site visit, conducted by Alicia Austin-Johnson, project manager, Albuquerque District, introduced the commander to the unique ecosystems of the southwest. He also viewed the Rio Grande River for the first time. “Visiting this site has helped me gain an understanding of the importance of this river to the people of New Mexico, Colorado and Texas,” he said.

Col. Turner plans to revisit the Albuquerque District later this year.