President appoints Corps' Brig. Gen. Hill to Mississippi River Commission

By Martie CenkciJanuary 13, 2016

Brig. Gen. David C. Hill appointed to Mississippi River Commission
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

DALLAS-Brig. Gen. David C. Hill, commander of the Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has been appointed to the Mississippi River Commission by President Barack Obama.

In announcing his intent to appoint Hill and other key Administration appointments last fall, the president said in a White House press statement, "I am confident that these experienced and hardworking individuals will help us tackle the important challenges facing America, and I am grateful for their service. I look forward to working with them."

The Mississippi River Commission was created by an Act of Congress on June 28, 1879, to plan and provide for the general improvement of the entire length of the Mississippi River. This includes improving navigation, preventing destructive floods and facilitating commerce. The presidential appointees consist of three officers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and three civilians, two of whom must be civil engineers.

"It is a unique honor to join the Mississippi River Commission and be a part of the important work that they do," said Hill. "We have seen the effects of flooding on both navigation and commerce across the great swath of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Any actions we can take to mitigate that flooding is good for the region and good for America. I look forward to joining the other members of the MRC as we take on these challenges."

The commission itself is an advisory body. Its general duties include recommending policy and work programs, studying and reporting on modifications or changes to the Mississippi River and Tributaries project, commenting on matters authorized by law, making inspection trips, and holding public hearings that facilitate exchanges of viewpoints and ideas between the public and the MRC. Since 1879 the commission has been "listening, inspecting and partnering" with water resource interests in a watershed that is influenced by the drainage of more than 41 percent of the United States and two provinces of Canada.

The Southwestern Division is headquartered in Dallas and is one of nine Corps of Engineers regional commands. With four district offices in Little Rock, Ark., Tulsa, Okla., and Galveston and Fort Worth, Texas, it encompasses all or part of seven states, and covers some 2.3 million acres of public land and water. As the SWD commander and division engineer, Hill oversees hundreds of water resources development and military design and construction projects that provide civil works benefits to local communities and the region and support national security. Hill has been SWD commander since July 2014.

Hill received his commission from the United States Military Academy in 1990, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College.