Posted on May 21, 2025
The Charleston District welcomed its newest Operations Division Chief, Scott Hyatt, this winter. Hyatt took the reigns from his predecessor, Scott Glass, who retired at the end of December 2024.
Hyatt brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new role. With a career spanning over two decades, his journey with the Corps began in 1995, during his sophomore year at North Carolina State University. Since then, he has held numerous key positions across various districts, working on some of the Corps’ most complex and impactful projects.
Scott’s career took root at the Wilmington District, where he first worked with data-based programming and data collection. After earning his degree in Natural Resources Management from NC State in 1998, Scott moved into more hands-on roles, starting as a park ranger at Lake Lanier. His passion for natural resource management led him to a Natural Resource Specialist role, followed by a position as the Recreation Facilities Program Manager at the Mobile District Office. There, he oversaw operations and maintenance service contracts, gaining valuable experience in contracting and project management.
“I’ve always had a passion for our USACE missions. Being able to work on these tremendous civil works projects around the water is something that I love,” Scott shared.
“I hope to bring that passion to the Charleston District and inspire others. I’m a big innovator and I love to try new things, so I hope to continue that and bring additional positive energy to the organization. From what I’ve seen so far, there is plenty of that already!”
Scott’s leadership journey continued with the Savannah District, where he spent 15 years as the Operations Project Manager for the J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake, Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake, and the Savannah River Below Augusta projects.
One of the most challenging periods in his career came during the back-to-back record droughts in the Savannah River Basin, which left lakes at some of their lowest levels in history. Educating the public on the operational and environmental challenges that accompanied these droughts proved to be a rewarding experience for Scott, as he worked tirelessly to help communities understand the complexities of the Corps’ water systems.
Reflecting on his experience, Scott said, “I’ve had the privilege of being able to work on many large projects over the years. Working on the Savannah River Basin, I experienced those extreme droughts, and it was challenging to manage public expectations. It was incredibly rewarding to see our team’s technical input help create solutions and engage with the community.”
Scott’s approach to leadership centers around empowerment and trust in his team. “I believe in putting the right people in the right places and then empowering them with what they need to get the job done,” he explained. “If you’ve got smart people in the right places and everyone knows what their role is in the greater organization, then you’re going to get much greater results than if you were to micromanage.”
Now, as he transitions into his role at the Charleston District, Scott is excited to return to the region where he grew up. Originally from James Island, South Carolina, Scott is married to Jackie, who he went to high school with, and they have four children: Chelsea, Connor, Kyra, and Milana. Having family still living in the area was a significant factor in his decision to come back home to the Charleston area.
“You couldn’t get much closer to home than this,” he said, reflecting on the opportunity to return to Charleston.
When he’s not overseeing operations for the Corps, Scott indulges in his passion for photography. Inspired by a retired Kodak photographer he met while at Lake Lanier, Scott became a dedicated hobbyist, visiting national parks to capture stunning wildlife shots. “I recently went on a wildlife safari at Grand Teton National Park with the biggest lens Canon makes, and it was incredible to photograph bears, elk, and other wildlife up close,” he said.
As Scott steps into his new role, he’s not only excited to continue his work in civil engineering but also to inspire the next generation of leaders at the Charleston District. Working alongside Scott Glass, the current Operations Chief, as he prepares for retirement, Scott looks forward to furthering the Corps’ mission and continuing its legacy of excellence in water resource management.
“I’ve learned more and done more than I ever thought could be possible in one career,” Scott reflected. “The Corps has given me fantastic opportunities across several disciplines, and I’m excited to bring that diverse experience to the Charleston District.”
With his deep roots in the area, vast expertise in operations, and commitment to leadership, Scott Hyatt is poised to make a significant impact on the Charleston District and beyond.
