Posted on July 20, 2022
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District has hired LeighAnn Ryckeghem to the newly named operations manager position at the Soo Locks, effective July 1.
The operations manager, formerly known as the area engineer, is responsible for overseeing all Corps of Engineers operations and maintenance activities as well as stakeholder outreach from the Menominee River Watershed in Wisconsin, east across northern Lake Michigan and Huron to the St. Marys River, then West along Lake Superior to Munising, Michigan. The area of responsibility includes maintenance of 13 harbors and offshore channels, maintenance of approximately 70 miles of federal navigation channel in the St. Marys River, and operation and maintenance of the Soo Project Office, which includes hydropower, a Class I visitor center and the Soo Locks.
“This position is vital to providing reliable public service to the maritime industry, hydroelectric power customers, water resource interests, recreational users and the public,” said operations division chief Marie Strum. “The primary responsibilities include leading all aspects of our mission such as safety, labor relations, public outreach, human resources, budgeting, planning, engineering, scheduling, security, operations, maintenance and managing a workforce of 140 employees.”
Ryckeghem has over 20 years of experience in engineering, construction, and management. She has worked for the Detroit District since 2008 serving in various roles, including construction administration branch chief, assistant to the Great Lakes navigation team, value engineering program manager, project management specialist, and senior civil engineer. Ryckeghem has been with the Soo Project Office since 2017, initially serving as chief of construction prior to her promotion to the maintenance branch chief in November 2018.
