PORTLAND, Oregon – Given the vast size of the territory within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Northwestern Division’s service area (14 states and 3,000 kilometers wide), it is understandable that the organization faces significant difficulties in implementing its programs. The challenges can take many forms: budget deficits, litigation, international contract negotiations and personnel shortages.

The division’s 5,300 employees are spread across headquarters and five individual districts, helping to manage the enormous workload. Beth Coffey, program director, is one of two Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel charged with leading the division, along with the division commander and deputy chief. Coffey was appointed to the SES in December 2019 and oversees a broad range of operations, including planning, emergency response and environmental protection in the Columbia River and Missouri River basins.

Over the past three years, Coffey led complex efforts to balance system resilience with environmental demands in the Columbia River Basin. In addition, she designed international contract negotiations and found innovative solutions to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act during the pandemic. Because of her efforts, Coffey was nominated and selected for a Presidential Rank Award. Coffey said she was humbled and grateful for the award, which she accepted during a ceremony on July 25, 2024, at the Pentagon.

“I think it’s a reflection of the incredibly complex work we do here in the Northwestern Division to ensure the future of fulfilling our missions, as well as our focus on developing future leaders and a diverse and strong workforce,” Coffey said. “It shows the incredible work we do here in the NWD and how fortunate I am to lead a great team. I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead in this organization and look forward to continuing to create change.”

The Presidential Rank Awards recognize outstanding achievements by career leaders in the federal service. In addition, these awards provide an opportunity to recognize the finest individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to their agency and the federal government.

Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army, presented Coffey with a Meritorious Executive, Presidential Rank Award during the ceremony and spoke to the significance of the award, particularly the importance DA civilians at all ranks have to the Army.

“Not only is the number of awards limited by law to a very small percentage of candidates, but all nominees are rigorously reviewed by an independent panel of government and private sector leaders,” Wormuth said. “The criteria of this review focused on sustained achievements over the course of a career, not just a single contribution. So each of the award winners you see here today has made a lifetime commitment to service to our country and our Army, and their impact has been tremendous.”

Coffey has demonstrated this sustainable career path throughout her 30+ years as a federal employee. She began as an engineering intern and moved through various positions, including environmental engineer, project manager, and director of the Civil Works Integration Division. Coffey also had a 28-year career as a U.S. Army engineering officer, retiring in 2021 with the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

After reflecting on the recognition and her work at Northwestern Division, Coffey said she was proud, but not of her accomplishments.

“Over the last five years, we have worked to address devastating flooding in the Missouri Basin, completed an unprecedented environmental impact statement for the Columbia Basin that was complex and had an aggressive timeline to ensure our 12 facilities could continue to operate, and made an incredible effort in the Columbia River Treaty negotiations,” said Coffey. “The people in the department truly embody ESSAYONS* and I am very grateful to lead this great team.”

*Essayons is the motto of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It means “Let’s try” in French. But “try” is not a half-hearted “try” for the Army Corps. Trying means applying all of our skills, talents, resources, and enthusiasm to a challenge. It means we will try, and we will try until we succeed.