During a ceremony overlooking the Savannah Harbor in historic downtown, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District welcomed a new commander, Col. Daniel Hibner, and said farewell to outgoing commander Col. Marvin Griffin, June 8.
Officiated by Brig. Gen. Diana Holland, commander of the Corps’ South Atlantic Division in Atlanta, Georgia, the Change of Command ceremony marks the Army tradition to introduce a new commander to the District every three years.
“It’s amazing how things have a way of working out,” said Holland who worked with Hibner during a previous assignment in Afghanistan. “There was a broad consensus that he is a top tier leader. We are thrilled to have him on the team. There is no doubt that he is up to the task of leading the Savannah District.”
As Commander, Hibner will lead the Savannah District in managing the $973 million deepening of the Savannah Harbor. His responsibilities will also include managing a multi-million dollar military construction program at 11 Army and Air Force installations in Georgia and North Carolina and overseeing water resources and development activities in Georgia and portions of South Carolina.
One of 45 districts in the Corps of Engineers, the Savannah District also oversees civil projects including dams and lakes Hartwell, Russell, and Thurmond on the Georgia-South Carolina border; and environmental and regulatory permits for Georgia. The District supports worldwide missions related to real estate, master planning, and construction of barracks and other facilities to enhance overseas contingency operations.
Hibner joins the district following an assignment with the United States Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. There he served as the Levant Branch Chief in the Plans and Policy Directorate working on issues related to Syria and Iraq. Hibner has served in various military assignments including multiple deployments to Iraq. He also served at the Corps’ New Orleans District for three years as a senior Captain and as a newly promoted Major.
“It was one of the best and most unique experiences of my life,” said Hibner of his tenure at the New Orleans District. “I was enamored with the mission and the impact that the Corps has on so many critical interests in the United States.”
Hibner said he left New Orleans District hoping to one day command a Corps District.
“Today I stand before you with this great honor to command a District,” said Hibner. “I am so excited to be back with the Corps, to be here, in Savannah, to have the opportunity to serve with the great people of the Savannah District to accomplish our mission together while working with our stakeholders,” said Hibner. “This is absolutely humbling, and I cannot wait to move forward with you all as a team.”