CHICAGO – Col. Christopher T. Drew assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District from Col. Frederic A. Drummond Jr. during a Change of Command ceremony at the Harold Washington Library, May 30, 2014. Drew becomes the 64th commander of the district, which has been responsible for water resources development in the Chicago metropolitan area since 1833. View full bio: http://bit.ly/ColDrew ; View photos from the ceremony: http://bit.ly/COC5-2014
Brig. Gen. Margaret W. Burcham, former commander of the Corps Great Lakes and Ohio River Division (LRD), presided over the ceremony. Col. Robert D. Peterson, LRD deputy commander, passed the guidon from outgoing commander to the incoming commander. This Army tradition symbolizes the passing of authority and responsibility from the departing commander to his successor.
Drew comes to Chicago from the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where he served as a seminar leader.
“It is an honor to take command of the Chicago District and join a great team with a reputation for excellence,” said Drew. “I am looking forward to working with this team, our partners and stakeholders to continue our significant work in the region."
Drew was commissioned in the Corps after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1992.
“Col. Drew is the right man to carry this small district with a big mission into the future,” said Drummond, who will be taking an overseas mission assignment.
The Chicago District works on projects in a variety of focus areas including flood risk management and storm damage reduction, navigation, aquatic ecosystem restoration, regulatory, emergency management and interagency and international services. Major projects include the Chicago Lock, the electric barriers to deter fish movement, the 10-billion-gallon McCook Reservoir, Chicago shoreline protection, Little Calumet River Flood Control, Des Plaines River, Jackson Park and other ecosystem restoration projects, permit application evaluations and wetlands restoration.