MVM DP 1110-1-2, FEBRUARY 2024
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION

4.5 Million People Protected 

$224.4 Billion in Flood Damages 

Prevented in 2022

$2.7 Trillion in Flood Damages Prevented, 

Since 1928

22.5 Million Acres of Cropland Value $51 Billion

Generate $8.7 Billion in Agricultural Revenue Annually & Employ 56,000 People

53,525 Farms with an Average of 422 Acres per Farm Lie within the Lower 

Mississippi River Corridor & are Protected by MR&T Levees

MR&T Levees Protect Lands Producing 133 Million Bushels of Rice Annually, or 

67% of the Total Rice Produced in the United States

THE MR&T PROTECTS AGRICULTURE

A WISE INVESTMENT

4,364 Miles of Highways (Major Sections of Interstates

10, 20, 40, 55 and 57)

 2,364 Miles of Rail Used by 4 Major Class I Freight 

Carriers with Combined (nationally) Operating Revenues of

$50 Billion Annually

Infrastructure Supporting Commercial Navigation on 

the Lower Mississippi River that Generates $4.6 Billion in

Revenues & 18,700 Jobs

Tourism & Travel Industries that Generate $15.5 

Billion in Expenditures & 190,000 Jobs

563 Manufacturing Facilities that Generate $106 

Billion in Revenues & Employ 207,000 Workers

Infrastructure Supporting four of the Top 15 Deep-draft 

Ports The 2nd Largest Port (Port of South Louisiana 

225 Million Tons in FY2021)

THE MR&T PROTECTS COMMERCE

The NESP Locks Provide 

Link to Exporting Greater Than 60% of the 

Nation’s Corn & Soybean Products 

to the World Markets

THE COMBINATION OF ECOSYSTEM AND 

NAVIGATION IN A SINGLE USACE PROGRAM

MR&T NESP

Authorized by the 1928 Flood Control Act. In the wake of the devastating 1927 flood, it was deemed necessary to put into place a comprehensive, unified 

system of public works within the lower Mississippi Valley that would provide unprecedented flood risk management and an equally efficient navigation channel.

Major features include Channel Improvement and Stabilization, Floodways, Levees/Floodwalls, and Tributary Basin Improvements that work together to provide

flood risk management, navigation, and foster environmental protection and enhancement.

The Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) was authorized by Congress in 2007 with the goal of long-term sustainability of the navigation and 

ecosystem uses on the Nationally-significant Upper Mississippi River. Funding to advance projects into construction was first received as part of the 2022 

Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law and continued through fiscal year 2022 and 2023 Congressionally Directed Spending and USACE Work Plan. The program 

continues to advance planning, design, and construction for priority navigation and ecosystem projects on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. 

THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER & TRIBUTARIES PROJECT (MR&T)

NAVIGATION AND ECOSYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM (NESP)

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Americans

Every Dollar

$131 for

Invested from an average of 2.5 hours

The Seven Authorized 1200’ Lock Chambers

at Locks 20-25 on the Mississippi River and 

Lagrange and Peoria on the Illinois River will 

reduces

to

LOCKAGE

TIMES min.per

LOCKAGE

Ecosystem Projects Include Fish Passage (Locks 4, 8, 22,

Mel Price), Island Building, Water Level Management,

Floodplain Restoration, Backwater Restoration, and 

Shoreline Protection Among Others

2.7 Million Acres of Bottomland Forest Islands, 

Backwaters, Side Channels And Wetlands

Home to 25% of North America’s Fish 

Species | The first priority fish passage 

structure is located at Lock and Dam 22

Flyway for 40% of North 

America’s Migratory 

Waterfowl and Shorebirds

"Information courtesy of the following publications: "1 Economic profile of the Lower Mississippi River, Final Report Feb. 2014 (Industrial Economics Inc.)

2 Data sources include the latest available data from the National Levee Database for Levees and Leveed Areas and Infrastructure Data from FEMA HSIPGOLD 2015

ST.PAUL

ROCK ISLAND

ST. LOUIS

MN ND

WI SD

MO

AR

TX

MS

TN

KY

IN

IA

IL

LA

MEMPHIS

VICKSBURG

NEW ORLEANS
WELCOME

I’m Brigadier Kimberly A. Peeples, commanding general of the 

Mississippi Valley Division, headquartered in Vicksburg, Miss., 

which consists of six independent districts that cover the entire 

length of the Mississippi River from St. Paul, Minn., to New 

Orleans, La.

It is with pleasure I welcome you to this year’s Regional Industry Day. I understand the importance of building strong relationships between the Corps and private sector and this event 

provides that opportunity. This space enables collaboration to 

support and advance shared goals.

The Corps relies heavily on our industry partners to provide 

the tools and technologies we need to succeed in an everchanging global landscape. That’s why these types of events 

are important. I encourage you to take advantage of the 

networking opportunities throughout the event. I would like to 

emphasize the importance of communication. We are here 

to listen! Thanks in advance for actively participating in this 

event. We look forward to hearing your ideas and deepening 

our relationships.

I am confident this year’s event will be successful. I anticipate 

seeing the impact of our collaboration in the months and years 

to come. I want to thank each of you for joining us and for your 

commitment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Brigadier General Kimberly A. Peeples

assumed command of the Mississippi 

Valley Division (MVD), U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers on July 12, 2023. As the 

senior military officer, she oversees 

water resources engineering solutions 

in a 370,000-square-mile area from 

Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Peeples 

previously served as Commander of the 

Great Lakes and Ohio Rivers Division. 

With a strong educational background 

and numerous awards, she is committed 

to strengthening national security and 

infrastructure resilience.
10:30-12:00 noon

Registration Check-In/Name Tag Pick Up

Riverfront Lobby Adjacent to Meeting Rooms 1&2

PLENARY SESSION 1

Moderator/Emcee • LTC Collin Jones • Deputy District Commander

Location: Riverfront Rooms 1 and 2 - Main

12:30 PM

National Anthem • (Pre-Recorded – LeAnn Rimes)

12:35 - 1:00 PM

Welcome and Overview-District Mission/Role • COL Brian Sawser • District Commander

1:00 - 1:30 PM

Contractor Open Intros • COL Brian Sawser • District Commander & Sherrie Cordi • MVM Small Business Deputy

PLENARY SESSION 2 | NETWORKING*

2:00 – 5:00 PM

Open Networking with Program Managers • Contracting Reps • Other Agencies

Location: Lobby and Common Areas adjacent to Riverfront Rooms 1 through 5 and in Riverfront Rooms 3, 4, and 5

*2:30 – 3:30 PM

Memphis District Contractor/Government Panel Discussion

Riverfront Rooms 1 and 2 - Main

*Panel Q&A Session with USACE Contracting • Small Business • Program Managers • and Construction Rep.

Panel Emcee – Donny Davidson, Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management

Memphis District Panel Representatives

Priscilla Sweeney, Chief of Contracting Office

Sherrie Cordi, Small Business Deputy 

Samantha Harper, Construction Representative • Wynne Area Office Area Engineer

4:00 – 5:00 PM

Mississippi Valley Division Regional Industry Day (Wednesday) Pre-Registration/Name Tag Pick Up

Riverfront Lobby Adjacent to Meeting Rooms 1&2

Additional Agencies Participating:

U.S. Congressman Cohen (TN-09) • Representative

City of Memphis • Representative

TN Small Business Administration 

APEX Accelerators

FEBRUARY 20, 2024

MEMPHIS DISTRICT BUSINESS INDUSTRY DAY
7:30- 9:00 AM

Registration Check-In/Name Tag Pick Up

Riverfront Lobby Adjacent to Meeting Rooms 1&2

MORNING PLENARY SESSION 1

Morning Session Emcee • COL Brian Sawser • Memphis District Commander

Location: Riverfront Rooms 1 and 2 - Main

9:00 AM

Welcome • COL Brian Sawser • District Commander

National Anthem (Pre-Recorded – LeAnn Rimes)

9:10 – 9:25 AM

Welcome • Partnering in Action/Committed to Partnering

Brigadier General Kimberly Peeples • Commanding General, Mississippi Valley Division 

9:25 – 9:50 AM

Civil Works Program Overview

Mr. Jim Bodron • Senior Executive Service, Programs Director, Mississippi Valley Division 

9:50 – 10:00 AM

BREAK FOR ALL

10:00 – 11:00 AM 

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION ACQUISITION PANEL

Location: Riverfront Rooms 1 and 2 - Main

Panel Emcee

Wendell Norman, MVD Regional Contracting Chief

Panel Representatives

Denver Heath, Senior Executive Service, Director of Contracting 

Liz Walker, HQ Small Business

Anna Prestwood, MVD Programs Chief

Stuart Waits, MVN Chief Construction 

Henry Dulaney, MVK Engineering and Construction Division Chief

Panel Topics

Hot Topics in Acquisition

Doing Business with the US Army Corps of Engineers

Partnering on Market Research 

Partnering on Construction Projects

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION REGIONAL INDUSTRY DAY
1100 – 1230 PM

Morning Wrap Up with Open Networking with MVD District Project Managers/Contracting Offices with Open Lunch

Location: Lobby and Common Areas adjacent to Riverfront Rooms 1 through 5 

AFTERNOON SESSION – PLENARY 2

District Presentations, Breakouts and Open Networking

Location: Riverfront Room 3

*12:30 – 3:00 PM

District Small Business Presentations (20 minutes each with time for questions/breaks)

Location: Riverfront Rooms 1 and 2 - Main

3:30 – 4:30 PM

VARIOUS BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BREAKOUT 1

Mississippi River & Tributaries (MR&T) Program • Lower Three (Memphis, New Orleans, and Vicksburg Districts) 

Overview of MR&T Program Centered on Lower 3 Districts

Location: Riverfront Room 3

BREAKOUT 2

Navigation & Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) • Overview of NESP Centered on Upper 3 Districts

(St. Louis, Rock Island, and St.Paul Districts)

Location: Riverfront Room 4

BREAKOUT 3

Small Business Track – Focus on Small Business training • How To Register as a Small Business

8A Requirements • ETC. 

Location: Riverfront Room 5

1:00 – 5:00 PM

OPEN NETWORKING

Location: Lobby and Common Areas adjacent to Riverfront Rooms 1 through 5

5:00 PM

CLOSING/CONCLUDE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION INDUSTRY DAY

COL Brian Sawser, Memphis District Commander

Location: Riverfront Rooms 1 and 2 - Main

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION REGIONAL INDUSTRY DAY

FOR INFORMATION ON THE USACE DISTRICT PORTFOLIOS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 CONTACT:

MVD - MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION

Wendell Norman - Regional Contracting Chief

601-634-5754 | Wendell.N.Norman@usace.army.mil 

Marlan Snodgrass - Assistant Director, Small Business Programs

202-815-1681 | Marlan.A.Snodgrass@usace.army.mil 

MVK - VICKSBURG DISTRICT

Contracting - 601-631-5837 | cemvk-ct@usace.army.mil 

Small Business - 601-631-5951 | SBO-MVK@usace.army.mil

MVM - MEMPHIS DISTRICT

Contracting - 901-544-3117 | priscilla.g.sweeney@usace.army.mil

Small Business - 901-544-4520 | sherrie.cordi@usace.army.mil
FEBRUARY 20-21, 2024

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION REGIONAL INDUSTRY DAY

FOR INFORMATION ON THE USACE DISTRICT PORTFOLIOS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 CONTACT:

MVP - ST. PAUL DISTRICT

Contracting - 651-290-5414 | MVPCT@usace.army.mil 

Small Business - 651-290-5723 | SBO-MVP@usace.army.mil

MVN - NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT

Contracting - 504-862-2874 | cynthia.m.hall@usace.army.mil 

Small Business - 504-862-2627 | david.willis@usace.army.mil

MVR - ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT

Contracting - 309-794-5628 | cemvr-ct-web@usace.army.mil

Small Business - 309-794-5205 | troy.a.robbins@usace.army.mil

MVS - ST. LOUIS DISTRICT

Contracting: 314-331-8500 | aaron.l.sanford@usace.army.mil 

Small Business: 314-331-8181 | kelsey.m.daniels@usace.army.mil 

BG KIMBERLY A. PEEPLES

Commanding General, 

Mississippi Valley Division

COL JESSE T. CURRY

Commander, 

Rock Island District

LTC ROBERT T. WILKINS

Deputy Commander,

St. Paul District

COL JEREMIAH GIPSON

Deputy Commander, 

Mississippi Valley Division

COL CULLEN A. JONES

Commander, 

New Orleans District

 MR. JAMES A. BODRON, PE.

Senior Executive Service, 

Director, Programs Directorate

COL CHRISTOPHER D. KLEIN

Commander, 

Vicksburg District

MR. DENVER HEATH

Senior Executive Service, 

Director of Contracting, 

USACE Headquarters

DR. BETH C. FLEMING

Senior Executive Services, Director, 

Regional Business Directorate

COL ANDY J. PANNIER

Commander, 

St. Louis District

MS. ELIZABETH A. WALKER

Director of Small Business, 

USACE Headquarters

COL BRIAN D. SAWSER

Commander, 

Memphis District
www.mvd.usace.army.mil/business-With-US/Contracting/

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIVISION WEBSITE: