Army Corps of Engineers district to welcome new commander July 19

Published July 15, 2013

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Col. Thomas J. Tickner will take command of the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, from Col. Jeffrey M. Hall, in a formal ceremony at 10 a.m., July 19.

Brig. Gen. Donald E. Jackson, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ South Atlantic Division, will officiate at the formal change-of-command ceremony in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Savannah’s Historic District.

The Savannah District manages a multi-million dollar military construction program at 11 Army and Air Force installations in Georgia and North Carolina, and oversees water resources and development activities in Georgia and portions of South Carolina. The District also oversees civil projects including the maintenance of the Savannah and Brunswick harbors in Georgia; dams and lakes Hartwell, Russell, and Thurmond on the Georgia-South Carolina border; and environmental and regulatory permits for Georgia. The Savannah District supports worldwide missions related to real estate, master planning, and construction of barracks and other facilities to enhance overseas contingency operations. The Savannah District traces its heritage in Savannah to 1829.

Tickner comes to Savannah District from Washington, D.C., where he recently completed studies at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, formerly known as the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF). Before attending school Tickner served as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. In addition, Tickner has served in various military assignments including a deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has served in the Sacramento District and commanded the Philadelphia District in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Hall, completing the standard three-year-tour leading the Savannah district, will retire from the Army after 29 years of service. During his tenure at the Savannah district, Hall oversaw completion of the General Re-Evaluation Report and the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. Hall ensured the maintenance of Georgia’s two deep water ports which have a combined annual economic impact of $66.9 billion. Hall was responsible for water resource activities in eastern Georgia and portions of South Carolina; and wetland protection in Georgia. He oversaw the operation and maintenance of three large hydro-electric dams and reservoirs serving 15+ million visitors and generating more than $80 million in hydropower revenues annually. He plans a new career in the private sector.

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Media covering this event should arrive at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 2 W. Bay St., by 9:45 a.m. A brief time will be available after the ceremony for an initial interview with the new commander. Please contact the Savannah District Corporate Communications office, 912-652-5014, for details.
Contact
Billy Birdwell, Senior Public Affairs Specialist
912-652-5014
billy.e.birdwell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 13-020