SACRAMENTO, California – Col. James J. Handura assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Sacramento District from Col. David G. Ray during a Change of Command ceremony today at the Masonic Temple
in downtown Sacramento.
Brig. Gen. Kim M. Colloton, commander of the Corps’ South Pacific Division, presided over the ceremony introducing
the district’s 33rd commander.
“We are especially thankful for the families of these professionals, and all that they represent. They are the
foundation and support of the castles for Col. Ray and Col. Handura,” said Colloton, referring to the castle insignia
worn by Army engineers on their uniform.
Handura, a native of Clearwater, Florida, takes command after graduating from the U.S. Army War College. He has
been a military engineer for 30 years, beginning his time in the Army as an enlisted combat engineer in 1989.
Handura has experience leading Corps of Engineers teams, previously serving as the Deputy District Engineer in
New Orleans, Louisiana.
“I look forward to picking up where [Col.] Dave Ray left off,” said Handura. “To the members of the Sacramento
District team: I’m honored and humbled to be your commander, and I look forward to working alongside you in the
coming months.”
For Ray, this ceremony signifies not only the end of his command at the Sacramento District, but also the end of a
successful Army career. This is Ray’s last assignment; he will be retiring after 28 years of service to his country.
Ray received his U.S. Army commission in 1992 and was designated a 12A Engineer Officer. In previous
assignments, he has served as the engineer platoon leader, 2nd Engineer Battalion, Republic of Korea; battalion
operations & executive officer, 9th Engineer Battalion, Schweinfurt, Germany; and commander, 19th Engineer
Battalion, Fort Knox, Kentucky;
Ray plans to retire to Colorado, where he looks forward to spending time fishing and skiing.
“Being part of the Army Corps of Engineers is something all young engineers aspire to,” said Ray. “Doing it in a part
of the country that I consider my home makes it that much more special.”
This transition comes at a busy time for the Sacramento District, one of the largest districts in all of USACE. The
Sacramento District received $2.1 billion last year to fully fund five construction projects, and oversees three of the
largest USACE projects in the nation. The Sacramento District operates in part of eight western states, and is
responsible for military design and construction, civil works, international and interagency support, real estate
services to the Army and Air Force, regulatory work, environmental services, and emergency management.