About
AUSA’s Noon Report webinar series features presentations by senior Army leaders responsible for key programs and initiatives, as well as contemporary military authors who weave together the past, present and future story of the United States Army. Please join us Tuesday, 4 March, at 12:00 PM EDT to hear a presentation by LTG William H. Graham, Jr., 56th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is served by some of the nation’s leading minds in engineering, science and math. It stands on the front lines of innovation, working to solve the nation’s toughest challenges both at home and on the battlefield. After a major event, such as the recent hurricanes in the South Atlantic or the wildfires in Los Angeles, technical experts team with state, local and federal partners to help communities recover from disaster and rebuild stronger than before. In this Noon Report, LTG Graham will briefly discuss the origins of the USACE Civil Works and Emergency Response missions, explaining why the Army is tasked with projects that provide flood risk mitigation, enable navigation along our waterways, produce hydropower, restore aquatic ecosystems and more. He will then discuss how USACE harnesses the expertise of over 40,000 employees to respond to recent emergencies such as the Maui wildfires, Hurricanes Milton and Helene and the California wildfires. LTG Graham will weave throughout the discussions the importance of partnerships with federal and military family, local government and industry, emphasizing that USACE does nothing alone.

WEBINAR ENDED
Agenda
  • 1145-1200: Log-on
  • 1200: Opening remarks by LTG Leslie Smith, U.S. Army Retired, Vice President, Leadership & Education, AUSA
  • 1205-1225: Fireside Chat with LTG William H. Graham and LTG(R) Leslie Smith
  • 1225-1245: Question & Answer Session with LTG William H. Graham and LTG(R) Leslie Smith
  • 1250: Closing remarks by LTG Leslie Smith, U.S. Army Retired, Vice President, Leadership & Education, AUSA
Presenters
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LTG William H. "Butch" Graham, Jr.
56th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Lieutenant General William H. “Butch” Graham Jr. assumed duties as the 56th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, United States Army Corps of Engineers on September 13, 2024, after most recently serving as the Corps’ Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations. As the Chief of Engineers, an Army Staff Principal, he is responsible for more than 90,000 military engineers and advises the Secretary of the Army and other Principal Officials on matters related to general, combat and geospatial engineering as well as construction, real property, public infrastructure and natural resources science and management. As the USACE Commanding General, he is responsible for nearly 36,000 civilian employees and 800 military personnel who deliver a massive $68B portfolio including construction support, project management, science and engineering expertise in more than 110 countries.

Lieutenant General Graham received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1989 from the University of Pittsburgh. He is an Engineer Officer who has commanded Soldiers at all levels up to Division. His commands include the North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Pittsburgh District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; 40th Engineer Battalion, 2d Brigade, 1st Armored Division, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq; and A Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized).

Lieutenant General Graham’s key staff assignments include Director, Task Force Enhanced Security Zone, Operation Resolute Support, Afghanistan; Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC; Director, Coalition-Joint Engineering Directorate, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan; Division Engineer, 1st Armored Division, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany, and in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq; Operations Officer and later, Deputy Commander, Pittsburgh District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and battalion Operations Officer, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Riley, Kansas.

His operational deployments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, and Operation Resolute Support, Afghanistan.

Lieutenant General Graham is a graduate of the Senior Service College Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, and United States Army Command and General Staff College. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Kansas.

His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, five Bronze Star Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, and the Combat Action Badge.
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LTG Leslie Smith, U.S. Army Retired
Vice President, Leadership & Education, AUSA
Lieutenant General Leslie C. Smith, US Army (retired) currently serves as the Vice President for Leadership and Education, Association of the United States Army, the Carter Chair for leadership at Georgia Southern, LV Smith Corporate Group CEO, and on several corporate boards. LTG Smith received his commission from Georgia Southern University (GSU) in 1983 as a Field Artillery Officer. In 1985, he graduated from GSU with a bachelor's degree in accounting and as a distinguished military graduate and branched as a Chemical Officer.

LTG Smith's final assignment on active duty from 2018 to 2021 was as The Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Army, the first Chemical officer to serve in that position. His early assignments include service in the Georgia National Guard; Chemical Staff officer in the 3-52d Air Defense Artillery Battalion; Division and DIVARTY staff officer and company commander in the 82d Airborne Division; Chemical Branch Assignments Officer, PERSCOM; S-3 and XO in the 23d Chemical Battalion; and the Joint Staff, J-5. In 2001, he assumed command of the 83d Chemical Battalion, where elements of the Battalion deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

Following command, he served on the Army Staff in the G-8 in the Full Dimensional Protection Division. In 2005, he assumed command of the 3d Chemical Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and later served as the G-3, 20th Support Command (CBRNE). From 2008-2010, he was the 25th Chief of Chemical and Commandant of the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School. In 2010, LTG Smith returned to the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) as the Commanding General. In June 2013, LTG Smith became the first Chemical officer to serve as the Commanding General of the United States Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood. He served as the Deputy the Inspector General from 2015 to 2018.

His military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Command and General Staff.

LTG Smith also holds master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the National Defense University and is married to Vanedra, and they have two daughters.
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