CINCINNATI (Sept. 26, 2014) – Brig. Gen. Richard G. Kaiser assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Great Lakes and Ohio River Division during a ceremony here today.
The USACE Deputy Chief of Engineers Maj. Gen. Richard L. Stevens presided over the ceremony while the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division’s Program Director David Dale oversaw the exchange of colors.
Stevens welcomed Kaiser and his family to the team. "Brigadier General Kaiser is a great leader who brings the right amount of positive energy needed to expertly lead the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division and further the mission," said Stevens.
As commander of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, Kaiser is responsible for directing federal water resource development in the Great Lakes and Ohio River basins, which consists of seven engineer districts that operate in a seventeen state area.
The division’s missions include planning, construction and operations of navigation structures and flood damage reduction, hydropower, environmental restoration, water conservation, recreation and disaster assistance. The division also executes military construction in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan with design and construction of barracks, hospitals, airfields and family housing on military installations.
Kaiser previously served as the deputy chief of staff for Operations, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, in England and commander of the 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C.
He received his commission in 1987 upon graduation from Marquette University with a degree in civil engineering and later received a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the British Army Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.
Kaiser is married to Heather and they have two sons, R.J. and Patrick.