LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District recently named Clarksville, Arkansas native Jay Townsend as the 2021 Civilian of the Year.
The Civilian of the Year Award is the district’s top award given to a Department of the Army Civilian for their outstanding contributions to the organization’s missions.
Townsend led USACE communication efforts throughout a challenging year as the Little Rock District responded to floods, severe weather, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He organized and executed the highly successful celebrations around the 50th Anniversary of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, as well as the public outreach during the February 2021 snowstorm that required round the clock power generation by USACE hydropower plants.
Townsend serves as the Chief of Public Affairs and is the lead spokesman for the Little Rock District. His office is responsible for media relations, community outreach, command information and digital media management.
The Little Rock District has been serving the region since 1881. The district boundaries include Southern Missouri and most of Arkansas. The district manages $3.1 billion worth of public infrastructure to include 12 reservoirs, 13 navigation locks and dams, 7 hydroelectric power plants, 146 public parks and 308 miles of navigation channel.
More information about the Little Rock District can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usacelittlerock.
Release no. 21-124