Brad Houzenga assumed the role of Deputy District Engineer and Chief of the Programs and Project Management Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District in October 2024. In this critical position, he will lead and execute the district's missions, oversee the annual delivery of a $400 million program, and manage business and strategic functions.
Before this appointment, Houzenga served as the Deputy Chief of the Operations Division for the USACE Rock Island District since 2020. In this capacity, he assisted in managing approximately 500 employees across multiple sites, including 12 lock and dam locations on the Mississippi River, six on the Illinois Waterway, and five flood control reservoirs in Iowa and Illinois.
Throughout his tenure with the USACE Rock Island District, Houzenga has held various influential positions, such as Chief of the Real Estate Division, Deputy Operations Manager, and Chief of Navigation Support for the Mississippi River Project. He has also served on details as the Chief of the Locks and Dams Section for the Mississippi River Project and Chief of the Maintenance Section at the Illinois Waterway Project. His career began with roles as a Project Engineer for the Mississippi River Project and Structural Design Engineer in the Design Branch.
Houzenga's academic background includes a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and a bachelor's degree in general engineering from Hope College. He is a licensed professional engineer and structural engineer.
Dedicated to continuous growth, Brad has refined his strategic leadership skills through numerous development programs and has earned several awards recognizing his exceptional contributions.