CINCINNATI – Col. Benjamin J. Bigelow assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Great Lakes and Ohio River Division from outgoing commander Brig. Gen. Richard G. Kaiser during a ceremony here today.
Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, who assumed command as the 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer on May 19, 2016, presided over the ceremony.
Lt. Gen. Semonite recognized the Division’s value-added accomplishments and support, under Brig. Gen. Kaiser’s leadership, to the region and the Nation. “Under Brig. Gen. Kaiser’s command this division has been instrumental in support of the nation through several key interagency projects and expeditionary support to overseas contingency operations,” said Semonite. “And I believe Col. Bigelow is well equipped and to step up as the Division Commander to continue successfully leading such a superb team of professionals,” he said.
As commander of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, Col. Bigelow is responsible for directing federal water resource development in the Great Lakes and Ohio River basins, which consists of seven engineer districts that operate in a seventeen state area.
The division’s missions include planning, construction and operations of navigation structures and flood damage reduction, hydropower, environmental restoration, water conservation, recreation and disaster assistance. The division also executes military construction in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan with design and construction of barracks, hospitals, airfields and family housing on military installations.
Col. Bigelow previously served in USACE as the Deputy District Commander, Project Manager for the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program and Project Engineer at the St. Louis District. He deployed to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo to serve as the Operations Officer for the Base Camp Construction Agency in support of Operation Joint Guardian.
He received his commission in 1990, upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas. He is also a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and the Army Command and Staff College.
Col. Bigelow’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (six Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Master Parachutist Badge.