FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii (July 20, 2018) -- Lieutenant Col. Kathryn P. Sanborn became the 71st commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District during a change of command ceremony held July 20, on Fort Shafter's Palm Circle parade field.
USACE Pacific Ocean Division Commander Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Tickner hosted the ceremony during which Sanborn assumed command from Lt. Col. James D. Hoyman by passing the ceremonial flag symbolizing the official change of command. During the ceremony, Sanborn and her husband were presented with fresh flower leis, a Hawaiian symbol of welcome, with the Hoyman family also receiving leis as a tribute to their service.
Sanborn, the first female commander of Honolulu District (which was established in April 1905), will lead an organization of more than 300 engineers, scientists and support staff serving the Pacific Region, including Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Kwajalein in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Sanborn most recently most recently completed a Doctorate in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in May 2018. Her research focused on exploring cross-laminated timber for use in temporary military structures.
“Kate brings a wealth of experience as the 71st commander of Honolulu Engineer District,” Tickner said during the ceremony.
Sanborn is a native of Calais, Vermont and commissioned in 2002 as an engineer officer from the United States Military Academy where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Vermont.
Sanborn is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Captains Career Course, Joint Engineer Operations Course, and the Command and General Staff College. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Vermont and a certified Project Management Professional. Her military awards and decorations include three Meritorious Service Medals and three Army Commendation Medals as well as the Parachutist Badge and the Dutch Parachutist Badge. She has also been awarded the Bronze Order of the Engineer DeFleury Medal.
“Kate is coming to join our Ohana after completing her PHD in Civil Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and working with the Army Research Lab at Aberdeen Proving Ground, with USACE Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), and the United States Military Academy,” Tickner said. “She has come full circle from her graduation as a second lieutenant 17 years ago with her Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from West Point.”
Throughout his tenure at Honolulu District, Hoyman met the challenge of successfully leading the District in executing all mission requirements: military construction (MILCON), civil works, international and interagency services, real estate, regulatory, environmental services and emergency management support. For fiscal years 2017 and 2018, the District’s contracting team awarded more than $451.7 million in contracts in Hawaii and the Pacific Region.
“Lieutenant Colonel Hoyman produced amazing results as commander,” Tickner continued.
Hoyman led a highly motivated staff in support of U.S. Army military construction and Army initiatives on Hawaii Army posts that included the renovation of several historic quadrangles (Quads) on Schofield Barracks. Significant awards included $63 million to Replace Kwajalein Fuel tanks, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll; $26 million for Bldg. 452 Renovation, Quad D, Schofield Barracks; $26 million for construction of a combined support maintenance shop, Keaukaha Military Reservation, Hilo, Hawaii; and a $103.6 million increment of a $284.4 million contract for construction of the U.S. Army Pacific’s Mission Command Facility Phase 3 at Fort Shafter.
“His accomplishments followed a formula for success: people then programs,” Tickner said. “Jim built a team of more than three hundred and twenty Department of Army Soldiers and civilians and he partnered with industry to better leverage engineering and construction firms to deliver value for our stakeholders.”
For his outstanding work and contributions, while commanding the Honolulu District, Hoyman received the Meritorious Service Medal and goes on to serve in Pacific Command's Logistics, Engineering, and Security Cooperation Directorate (J-44).
The District’s continued work on key Army projects including the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) Mission Command Facility (MCF) Phase 2, and Quad D (Bldg. 449) at Schofield Barracks, as well as Echo Pier on Kwajalein Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands.
“His focus on developing the future of the district was demonstrated in the Districts robust Leadership Development Programs as well as Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) outreach,” continued Tickner.
While under Hoyman’s command, the District completed and turned over several construction projects to customers, including Phase 1 of the USARPAC MCF Phase 1 and historic renovation of Bldg. T-112 on Palm Circle, Fort Shafter; Bldg. 690 (Aloha Center), the 25th (no 25 Division) Combat Aviation Brigade’s Phase 1 (infrastructure and new airfield fuel system) and Phase 2 (barracks), and renovations of Quad B at Schofield Barracks. The USARAPC MCF Phase 2 project is projected to be complete at the end of 2018.
In December 2017 the Chief’s Report was signed for the Ala Wai Watershed Flood Risk Management study that analyzed and provides solutions for the 19 square mile watershed and drainages of the Manoa, Makiki, Palolo streams into the Ala Wai Canal.
The more than $300 million project would provide long-term protection and help in mitigating flooding into Waikiki during intense rain events as well alleviate potential estimated damages of more than $1.14 billion to the primary economic engine for the state.
Tickner went on to say the much anticipated Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk Management project which during Hoyman’s tenure the project achieved a chiefs report, congressional authorization and appropriation.
In support of USACE Headquarters Emergency Management disaster requirements, Hoyman led the District through the preparations and potential FEMA response for Pacific typhoons and tropical storms passing the Hawaiian Islands. During the latter half of 2017 and early 2018 he helped coordinate the District deploying more than 30 personnel - some multiple times – to assist in disaster response and recovery for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and the wildfires in northern California. Personnel served in various capacities, including as members of USACE’s National Response Cadres, Command Center Battle Captains, and mission specialists - during the challenging deployments where they engaged and coordinated response efforts with county, state, and FEMA partners.
“Honolulu District has also contributed to emergency preparedness across the Pacific and the Nation with three power planning and response team developments, twice to Puerto Rico and Once to the Virgin Islands in support of disaster recovery,” Tickner concluded. “The District deployed more than 10 percent of their workforce in support of emergency responses to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and the wildfires that ravaged California.”