DVIDS – News – Corps of Engineers promotes LeighAnn Ryckeghem to Operations Manager, Soo Project Office

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SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District hires LeighAnn Ryckeghem to the freshly named Functions Supervisor situation at the Soo Locks, helpful July 1.

The Functions Manager, formerly identified as the Location Engineer, is dependable for overseeing all Corps of Engineers functions and servicing routines as nicely as stakeholder outreach from the Menominee River Watershed in Wisconsin, East across northern Lake Michigan and Huron to the St. Marys River, then West together Lake Remarkable to Munising, Michigan. The region of obligation contains routine maintenance of 13 harbors and offshore channels, routine maintenance of close to 70 miles of Federal Navigation Channel in the St. Marys River, and Procedure and Upkeep of the Soo Undertaking Office environment which features Hydropower, a Course I Visitor Middle and the Soo Locks.

“This situation is essential to supplying reliable community services to the maritime sector, hydroelectric energy prospects, drinking water source interests, leisure buyers and the public,” stated Operations Division Chief Marie Strum. “The key tasks include foremost all elements of our mission this sort of as protection, labor relations, community outreach, human assets, budgeting, organizing, engineering, scheduling, protection, operations, servicing and controlling a workforce of 140 staff members.”

Ryckeghem has above 20 many years of experience in engineering, construction, and management. She has labored for the Detroit District considering that 2008 serving in several roles, including Development Administration Branch Main, Assistant to the Great Lakes Navigation Team, Worth Engineering Plan Supervisor, Venture Administration Expert, and Senior Civil Engineer. Ryckeghem has been with the Soo Venture Office environment because 2017 in the beginning serving as Chief of Design prior to her promotion to the Routine maintenance Department Chief in November 2018.

Ryckeghem has a Learn of Science in Acquisition and Agreement Management from Bellevue College in Bellevue, Nebraska and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Wayne State College in Detroit, Michigan.

“LeighAnn is nicely-prepared to guide our group into the long term, integrating our Functions and Maintenance crew with the fascinating things to do encompassing New Lock design,” explained Cindy Jarema, Functions & Maintenance Department Chief and hiring supervisor for the place. “She delivers insightful leadership and strategic pondering to the place.”

“I grew up on the Wonderful Lakes and had frequent visits to the Soo Locks, which is exactly where I initial acquired about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” Ryckeghem claimed. “After obtaining encounter in the two the personal and general public sector I made a solid appreciation for public assistance and was fortuitous to be employed mid-occupation with the Detroit District. Operating at the district furnished me numerous prospects to function on sophisticated navigation assignments, a single of which was the Soo Locks. I have a deep enthusiasm for community provider with loyalty to the Good Lakes and the Soo Locks missions.”

There are numerous disciplines Ryckeghem will oversee as the Operations Manager, from skilled trades, operators, and maritime plant to skilled collection this sort of as engineers and software analysts. Organizationally, the Soo Task Office is composed of an Executive Branch, Operations Department, Maintenance Branch, Administrative Area, Hydropower Section, Lock Functions Segment, Routine maintenance & Mend Part, Routine maintenance Engineering Segment, and the St. Marys River Segment.

Ryckeghem suggests she has solid guidance systems – which have helped add to her achievement. “My household is quite supportive of my vocation, although the Corps of Engineers has continuously invested in me with numerous education and development opportunities.”

“It is a privilege to serve as the Functions Manager for the Soo Venture Office. I search forward to continuing to provide the crew, the general public and all our stakeholders,” mentioned Ryckeghem.

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