BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Col. John P. Lloyd became the 59th commander and division engineer of the North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, during a change of command ceremony today at the division’s Fort Hamilton, N.Y., headquarters. He assumed leadership from Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Tickner, who commanded the unit since July 2020.
Lloyd, a native of Lockport, N.Y., most recently served as the chief of staff of USACE Headquarters in Washington.
“I’m definitely smiling today,” Lloyd said. “Who wouldn’t be smiling on this beautiful day with the amazing opportunity to join and lead the world-class North Atlantic Division Team?”
Prior to serving as the USACE Chief of Staff, Lloyd commanded the USACE Pittsburgh District from 2016-2018 and served as the command engineer for U.S. Forces Korea and United Nations Command from 2018-2020. During his time as commander of the Pittsburgh District, Lloyd oversaw the USACE response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria as Task Force Commander in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. This work entailed the restoration of power infrastructure, and it was supported by more than 200 USACE employees and 5,000 utility workers.
“I never would have asked, but … NAD would have been my first choice. It’s an incredible team with incredible people, and an incredible mission,” Lloyd said. “I could not be more honored to serve in NAD with its many great professionals during this historic time for the division and USACE.”
Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, USACE Commanding General and Chief of Engineers, presided over the ceremony at Fort Hamilton’s Bluff Park passing responsibility of division command from Tickner to Lloyd.
“Serving as a commander of a USACE region is a tough but important job,” Spellmon said. “Being selected to command at the general officer level doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a highly motivated, agile leader to manage the tremendous volume of day-to-day business and facilitate the long-term success of great organizations.”
As the North Atlantic Division commander, Lloyd will oversee an annual program of more than $5 billion to plan, design and construct projects to support the military, protect America’s water resources, mitigate risk from disasters, and restore and enhance the environment throughout 14 states in the northeast as well as throughout Europe and Africa. He is also responsible for a variety of Division engineering and construction activities for international, federal, state and local governments and agencies in more than a dozen Northeastern states as well as overseas.
“Each and every one of our districts is a powerhouse, from its leadership to its support staff,” Tickner said during his farewell speech. “It has been my honor to join you as your commander these past two years. I am humbled by your dedication and commitment … to deliver on the USACE promise.”
Tickner has been reassigned to U.S. Installation Management Command in San Antonio, Texas, where he will serve at the deputy commanding general.
The North Atlantic Division is one of nine regions providing engineering and construction services to the nation. It is the Corps’ headquarters for the Northeastern United States, Europe, and Africa, with offices in Concord, Mass., New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Va., and Wiesbaden, Germany.