Nashville District Commander

I'm incredibly proud to announce that Mr. Lee Roberts from our Public Affairs Office has been selected as our Supervisor of the Quarter!

During a period of reduced staffing, Lee's leadership was the bedrock that sustained our public affairs mission. He seamlessly balanced both supervisory and specialist duties, taking on a heavy workload to ensure our mission never missed a beat. From updating crucial communication plans for projects like the Chickamauga Lock Replacement to producing the 2025 Year in Review video and managing sensitive media inquiries, his impact has been immense.

Lee, your dedication and steadfast commitment are invaluable to this team. Thank you for your exceptional work and mentorship.

Please join me in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition. Well done!

It was my distinct honor to recognize several of our outstanding civilian employees in front of our district leadership recently. I am continually impressed by the dedication and talent within the Nashville District, and these individuals exemplify selfless service.

I presented Jerry Breznican and Adrienne Bostic with the Department of the Army Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service for their crucial work in Maui following the devastating wildfires. From August to December 2023, they provided direct humanitarian aid, alleviating suffering for the local population and reflecting great credit upon the entire U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

I also had the privilege of presenting the Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Award to our Emergency Management team, which includes Mr. Breznican and Ms. Bostic, along with Kevin Gatlin, Sharon Rader, James Rusbarsky, and Karen Halter in Resource Management. Between August 2024 and August 2025, this team led our district through a demanding period, including the response to Hurricane Helene. They expertly managed about $9 million across 11 FEMA and four USACE assignments, demonstrating exceptional leadership when it was needed most.

Finally, I recognized Kathryn M. Wall with the Department of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal for her exceptional leadership as our Management and Disposal Branch Chief. From April to September 2025, she masterfully directed one of the largest outgrant portfolios in the entire Corps enterprise, even with a significantly reduced staff. Her selection as a USACE PROSPECT instructor is a clear testament to her expertise.

These individuals represent the dedication and professionalism that define the Nashville District. Their contributions are vital to our mission, and I am incredibly proud to serve alongside them.

It was my distinct honor to present the prestigious Department of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Award to Contracting Officer Samantha “Dani” Bautch Dec. 10, 2025, during our Project Delivery Business meeting at the Nashville District Headquarters.

The award recognizes her exceptional work in providing critical contracting services to the Eastern Kentucky Area. Her notable achievements include collaborating with a team to secure a new debris removal system for Lake Cumberland. Furthermore, Bautch was instrumental in developing a solution to award the complex bridge stringer repairs and replacements at Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River in Jamestown, Kentucky.

Thank you Dani for your persistence and hard work that delivered contracts for these two important projects!

Please join me in recognizing one of our own – Joe Brown, Power Plant Electrician with the Nashville District – for his outstanding service during the response to Hurricane Helene.

Over a 45-day deployment, Joe supported multiple sites, playing an important role in quality assurance operations. His technical expertise, professionalism, and dedication helped ensure recovery efforts met the highest standards, directly contributing to the safety and well-being of affected communities.

Joe’s work reflects the very best of our USACE mission – answering the call when our nation needs us most. I’m proud to serve alongside professionals like him who represent the Nashville District with excellence, whether at home or on deployment.

Thank you, Joe, for your selfless service and for making a real difference when it mattered most. 👏

I had the distinct pleasure of visiting the Cordell Hull Lake Resource Manager's Office today, and I was incredibly impressed by the team's dedication and service.

I'd like to formally recognize Park Rangers Lucas Hix, Sheila Kirk, and Ashley Webster for their exceptional work this recreation season. They have shown an unwavering commitment to public safety, supporting vital volunteer programs and water safety initiatives. Their willingness to work weekends and holidays is a testament to their dedication to the community and the public they serve.

I also want to commend Area Maintenance Engineer Coy Brant. His innovative solutions have been a game changer, not only leading to over $1 million in cost savings but also ensuring projects were completed ahead of schedule and on budget. Moreover, his ability to build strong relationships with organizations like the USACE Engineering Research and Design Center and the Tennessee Valley Authority has been instrumental in securing a combined $8 million for critical riverbank and sloughing issues at Center Hill and Dale Hollow Lakes.

These individuals are prime examples of the hard work and commitment of our public servants and it was my privilege to present them commander's coins for excellence! Thank you for delivering for the nation!

The Nashville District had the honor of hosting senior leaders from the U.S. Army at Cheatham Dam Sept. 9. Acting Deputy Under Secretary of the Army Christopher Sims, along with Col. Mark Denton and Lt. Col. Philip Song, toured the site to learn more about our critical operations.

Led by Nashville District Commander Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique, our team highlighted the dam’s vital role in the supply chain and its connection to our nation's commerce and aging infrastructure. Discussions also covered natural resource management and the generation of hydroelectric power at the facility.

I had the honor of awarding Commander’s Coins to two outstanding team members from the Nashville District: Mike Crowley, Building Information Modeling Program Manager, and David Kay, CADD Program Manager.

They went above and beyond to create a 3D printed model of the Center Hill/Wolf Creek gate as a special gift for Major General Mark Quander, now Deputy Commanding General for Military and International operations at HQ, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Washington D.C.

Mike designed the gate model using Inventor, a professional-grade software for 3D mechanical design, and David took it from there — modifying it for 3D printing, running the print, and meticulously assembling the final product by hand.

It was a true team effort that combined technical expertise, innovation, and attention to detail. Proud to recognize their hard work and dedication. Well done! 👏

Congratulations, Ben Rohrbach, on your recent retirement! It was a true honor to officiate your retirement ceremony and celebrate your incredible impact as Engineering and Construction Division Chief for the Nashville District. Your more than 30 years of service have left a lasting mark, and it was wonderful to see so many colleagues and leaders gather to recognize your achievements. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to our nation. Best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement!

Chris Campbell, Maintenance Supervisor for Old Hickory Lock and Dam gives an update on the hydropower turbine generator rehabilitation project on site! ⚙️🚧 #USACE #nashville #hydropower #engineering

Inside the Chickamauga Lock 🚧 Philip Evans, chief of the Integrated Project Office Division, shares a quick progress update from the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project: 🏗️ 1) Final mass concrete placement for the monolith (lock walls) is complete. 2) Miter gates (lock gates) have been successfully stacked — both upstream and downstream. Big steps forward on this important infrastructure project in the Tennessee River Valley. #USACE #Infrastructure#ChickamaugaLock #tennesseeriver #Tennessee

Thank you Desmaray for reminding us about water safety this Labor Day weekend!

PSA: Stay safe around the water this Labor Day weekend! A friendly message from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger Desmaray Brown: ✅ Swim in designated areas 👀 Keep a close eye on your kids 🚫 Do not mix alcohol and boating 🪨 Cliff jumping is dangerous— please be safe 🦺 Life jackets save lives (yes, even for strong swimmers!) Have fun, stay alert, and get home safe this Labor Day! #StayWaterSafe #LakeSafety #USACELakes #LaborDayWeekend #watersafety