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Minneapolis-Saint Paul Post

April 2009

Next Meeting Presentation

Thursday, 23 April 2009

The Role of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in the
St. Paul District and the Mississippi Valley Division

COL Jon L. Christensen

District Commander, St. Paul District

Presentation Synopsis:  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) signed into law on February 17, 2009; the Omnibus Appropriation Act executed on March 10, 2009; spring flooding in the Red River and Souris River basins; and regional work throughout the entire Mississippi Valley have provided a notable challenge to the St. Paul District in fiscal year 2009.  Colonel Christenson will discuss the district workload as a result of spring flooding and the recent passing of the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations and 2009 Recovery Act.  The district work throughout the entire Mississippi Valley Division will also be discussed.  The district is committed to working with architect-engineer firms; construction firms (large and small); and local, State and Federal governments to successfully execute a significant program in fiscal year 2009.  Additionally, Colonel Christensen will discuss the future trends and his thoughts with respect to appropriations and authorizations.

No-PDH for the technical presentation.

Presenter Bio:  COL Christensen assumed command of the St. Paul District on June 8, 2007, becoming the district’s 62nd commander and district engineer.  Currently, COL Christensen is leading the St Paul District through a significant flood recovery effort, execution of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and execution of its annual Civil Works program.  Prior to assuming this command, he served as program director for the electricity sector at the Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division in Iraq.  COL Christensen was commissioned into the US Army Corps of Engineers following graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984.  In 1992, he was awarded a Master of Science degree in applied mathematics from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.  In 2006, he was awarded a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.  COL Christenson has served in many prior assignments world-wide and has been awarded multiple awards and decorations.

Meeting Location:  Fort Snelling Officer's Club near Post Road.  See map at: http://www.same-msp.org/_images/934thOfficersClub.jpg

Meeting Agenda:   Social time and lunch (if you so desire) will be from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the dining room of the Officers Club.  Post Meeting and Presentation will be from 12:30 PM to about 1:10 PM in the ballroom of the Officers Club.

Luncheon Menu, Cost, and RSVP Info:  The Club’s cafeteria-style lunches are typically $10.00 or less; people who partake in the cafeteria-style lunch will pay the Officers Club directly.  If you come only for the presentations, there is no charge. 

Please RSVP with your intent to either partake in the cafeteria-style lunch or to come for the presentation only; this will help the Officers Club staff to ensure that an adequate amount of food is prepared.  Either leave a voice mail message with Jim Mosner at 651-290-5512, or click the RSVP button in the left-hand column, or send an email message to james.b.mosner@usace.army.mil

 

Highlights of the January Meeting

MichaelB-SteveA

Post Vice President Steve Alm (r) thanks Michael Bart for his outstanding presentation on the complex topics of levee safety and dam safety and the direction that the Corps of Engineers is going in developing a risk-based methodology for assessing these critical systems. 

Michael Answering QuestionsMr Bart provide a wealth of information and interesting background snippets on the state of the nation's levee system and why it is so critical, as well as so difficult, that a comprehensive inventory and analysis of these vital systems be accomplished in an expedient manner.

It was very evident by the number of questions asked by the participants that this was indeed a hot topic that many A/E firms and local communities are grappling to understand and put in the proper perspective.  Mr Bart was gracious enough to stay for long time after his presentation to answer additional questions from interested individuals.
 

10th Annual Small Business Procurement Fair at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Center

Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors are encouraged to attend this Trade Fair.

Coupling education with marketing strategies, this event will provide small businesses an opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 50 Federal, State and local departments, commercial/prime contractors, and nonprofit organizations; access available technical assistance; and learn about upcoming contracts.

The 2009 SADBOC Government Procurement Fair is sponsored by the Federal Executive Board’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Opportunity Council, in cooperation with PTAC and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Pre-registration is required for free admittance.  On-site registrations will also be accepted for $10.

To register, contact Christina Nebel at 320-202-6496 or cnebel@meda.net or Register Online at www.ptac-meda.net by clicking "Training/Procurement Fair Registration"

AGENDA:  
8:30 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Trade Fair
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Workshops
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Matchmaking
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. PTAC Awards Reception

 

Nominations for Post Officers and Volunteers for Committee Chairs

It's that time of year again, when we put out the call for a few dedicated Post members who would like to volunteer to help guide and administratively run the  Post.  Without the help of the dozen or so people that help out, mostly behind the scenes, our Post would not be the high quality Post that it is.  Our goal always has been to bring into the leadership roles a few new people each year so that we can avoid having too large of a turnover in any one particular year.

The roles that we are looking for volunteers are:
  • Vice President (typically a past Director), a one-year position that typically leads to the role of President.
  • Director at Large (two positions to be filled), a two-year position.  Typically one Director comes from the Sustaining Member group of members and one Director comes from the Individual or Public Agency group of members.
  • Several Special Directors for focus-areas as Young Members Activities, Fellows-Mentoring Activities, and NCO Activities.
  • Young Member Vice-President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Technical Programs Coordinator.  People who fill this role usually do so for a period of one to three years (two years is the typical tenure).
  • Webmaster and Newsletter Editor

If you are interested in helping the Post continue its excellent track record for providing meaningful activities and value for its members, we would be interested in hearing from you.  Please contact Past Post President Jim Mosner at james.b.mosner@usace.army.mil or 651-290-5512 prior to May 22nd.
 

Mark the Dated for the 24th Annual Golf Tourney

The date of this year's 24th Annual Education and Mentoring Fund Golf Tournament will be Thursday, July 16th at Oak Marsh Golf Course.  Please mark your calendars and start rounding up a foursome.  More information regarding cost and contact info will be provided next month.  In the mean time, if you would like to help us with this event, please contact Ben Tustison at 763-205-2651 or tustison@mbkengineers.com .