The Far East District’s (FED) new construction division chief is a familiar name to many in the district. Chad McLeod returned to FED in September 2018, after previously serving as the resident office engineer at the southern resident office from 2012 to 2014.
“It’s great to be back,” said McLeod. “The Korean people and the culture are amazing and the construction projects are new and interesting every day.”
McLeod started his career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2000 when he began working as an intern at the Jacksonville District. He later moved on to the Mobile District and Savannah District progressing to become a project engineer. It was there he met former FED Construction Chief Sam Adkins who was on a recruiting tour for the Far East District and sold him on coming to Korea to be the resident engineer at the southern resident office.
“At the southern resident office there were and are so many cool construction projects and working with the local Korean Nationals you learn a lot and I was challenged a lot,” said McLeod.
McLeod returned to Mobile District as the Area Engineer before coming back to FED as the new construction division chief. His goals include maintaining a top notch construction management program and supporting his team with proper training and leadership.
“I’d like to help identify and advance future leaders in the district, take care of the projects today, but have an eye on tomorrow as well,” said McLeod. “I want to prepare them for the future. Teaching them how to manage a project and work well as a team. I want to ensure we have the right people in the right place,” said McLeod.
McLeod said the unique nature of the job, working with our Korean partners, and the historic nature of the projects at the district install pride in his work.
“You’re part of a program here that you just can’t find in the States now,” said McLeod. “You will be challenged and you will have a chance to lead. Working for the Corps you get to put your stamp on something. Every time I see the FED name block on of the buildings here, when I take my kids around I’ll point that out and tell them our organization helped build that,” said McLeod.