Sacramento District changes command

Published July 10, 2013
Colonel David Turner (center) passes the Sacramento District’s colors to Col.  Michael J. Farrell during a change of command ceremony for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District at the Masonic Temple in Sacramento, Calif., July 10, 2013.

Colonel David Turner (center) passes the Sacramento District’s colors to Col. Michael J. Farrell during a change of command ceremony for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District at the Masonic Temple in Sacramento, Calif., July 10, 2013.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A new commander is in charge of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District, with operations in eight western states.

Colonel William J. Leady relinquished command of the district to Col. Michael J. Farrell in a ceremony at the Masonic Temple in Sacramento today. Farrell is the district’s 31st commander since its inception in 1929.

Leady assumed command of the district in July 2010. He leaves Sacramento to serve as deputy commander of the Corps’ Northwest Division in Portland, Ore.

“We build things that make our nation stronger and better,” said Leady in ceremony remarks. “I really can’t fully express how much I’ve enjoyed my time here in Sacramento. But I can say with real sincerity, it has truly been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this time for three years.”

Farrell comes to the Sacramento District after serving as the human resource manager for engineer, military police and chemical corps colonels in the Army’s Senior Leader Development Office in Washington, D.C. A native of Monona, Wisc., Farrell received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Princeton University; a Master of Science degree in construction engineering from Cranfield University, England; and a Master of Science degree in national resource strategy from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1989.

Farrell has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and commanded the Corps’ Walla Walla District from June 2008 to July 2010.

“This is such a challenging time to take command of a Corps district,” Farrell said. “It’s extremely exciting to lead the Sacramento District as our nation faces a variety of challenges, like balancing the federal budget, addressing continued infrastructure deterioration and a changing climate. I look forward to helping the Corps demonstrate its technical competence and bring genuine innovation and collaboration to bear for our country.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District executes about $800 million a year on average in planning, design, construction and operation of projects to improve America’s water infrastructure and preserve natural resources, as well as building facilities and infrastructure, and providing real estate services, for the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies. Under the Clean Water Act and related laws, the district has significant responsibilities for protecting the nation’s aquatic resources in all or part of five western states.


Contact
Chris Gray
916-557-5100
chris.gray-garcia@usace.army.mil

Release no. 13-048