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Honorable Michael Blumenfeld (April 1979 - January 1981)

By U.S. ArmyOctober 30, 2017

Hon. Michael Blumenfeld
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Michael Blumenfeld served as Acting ASA/CW while Deputy Undersecretary of the Army from April, 1977 until Senate confirmation as ASA/CW in 1979. As the ASA(CW), he provided leadership to the Army Corps of Engineers, administration of the Arlington National Cemetery, and he served as the first Chairman of the Panama Canal Commission, which was established by the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977, to administer the Canal until the turnover to Panama December 31, 1999.

For the Civil Works Program, Mr. Blumenfeld directed development of sounder standards for deciding merits of new Federal water project proposals and negotiated with U.S. environmental agencies new methods to expedite issuance of Federal permits for construction in wetlands and navigable waters.

As Chairman of the Panama Canal Commission, Mr. Blumenfeld established new capital investment, and wage and personnel policies under which the Canal could operate effectively and efficiently in the post-Treaty environment.

Before, between and after tours of public service, Mr. Blumenfeld held executive positions in advertising, public utilities, universities (Harvard and New York University), and in the health insurance industry. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School. He served as an enlisted man from 1953-1956 in the U.S. Army (Artillery). Currently, Mr. Blumenfeld is retired.