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| Lieutenant Colonel Debra M. Lewis
"Attitude is everything." Although not the author of this observation, LTC Debra M. Lewis clearly embodies the strength inherent in a life lived according to this tenet. She brings her own blend of vibrancy and vitality to her many roles: United States Army Lieutenant Colonel; mother to Emily, her active eight-year-old daughter; mentor to many and friend to more; and, not least, accomplished Army Engineer, commanding the United States Army Corps of Engineers' Philadelphia District. The Delaware River Basin defines LTC Lewis' command boundaries, approximately 13,000 square miles spread across the five states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Maryland. More than 550 civilian and military personnel dedicate their efforts to carry out Corps projects at the request of local and state agencies and as authorized by Congress. Flood control, navigation, military installation support and environmental restoration are key missions of the Philadelphia District, which is a lead partner in the plan to preserve and protect the region and its water resources. LTC Lewis comes to the Philadelphia District uniquely qualified to serve as its first female commander and District Engineer. A woman of many firsts, Debra Lewis is a member of the first class with women to graduate from West Point. She also was the United States Military Academy's first female captain of its highly successful intercollegiate equestrian team and the 1980 Academy Equestrian of the Year. Very early, LTC Lewis exhibited the type of character that "takes the initiative" and perseveres in the most challenging circumstances. LTC Lewis' experience in command and staff positions spans 18 years. Key jobs include company command in the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C.; operations officer and executive officer of engineer battalions in Hawaii; and Chief, Military Engineering Division, U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC), dealing with nations and U.S. territories throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently, LTC Lewis served in the Congressional Activities Division of the Office of the Chief of the Staff of the Army, ensuring that senior civilian and military leaders were properly prepared to successfully articulate Army interests on Capitol Hill. In every position, LTC Lewis has demonstrated the discipline and commitment necessary to get the job done right. She understands the value of hard work, but more important, she values "smart" work performed consistently. LTC Lewis' military education includes Airborne School, the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the Army Command and General Staff College. In addition to West Point, her civilian education includes an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. Following Harvard, she was an original faculty member in the newly created Department of Systems Engineering at West Point, where she applied general problem solving techniques and developed systems engineering approaches to problem solving. She has applied this experience to organizations engaged in commercial ventures, construction, tactical support, and high-level staff activities. LTC Lewis has been recognized for her significant contributions with a variety of awards, including the Meritorious Service and Army Commendation Medals and the Army Engineer Regiment's de Fleury Medal. She also earned special recognition as the Staff Officer of the Year for USARPAC. Of her many pursuits, LTC Debra Lewis especially enjoys collecting quotations. She believes quotations serve to remind us that there are many varied perspectives on life and how we choose to approach it. A few of her favorites: "A change in attitude has the power to change my day." "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care." "Success is a journey, not a destination." "Chance favors the prepared mind." "Work gives you a sense of accomplishment. Relationships give you joy." "May you always have enough happiness to keep you sweet; enough trials to keep you strong; enough sorrow to keep you human; enough failure to keep you humble; enough success to keep you eager; enough friends to give you comfort; enough faith to give you courage; enough wealth to meet your needs; and enough determination to make each day a good day." -- Rev. Paul Osumi |
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