You probably know that the Missouri River is the longest river in North America. But did you know that it's also one of the most polluted?
On Wednesday's Central Standard, we'll be joined by two representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Colonel Anthony J. Hofmann, commander of the Kansas City District, and Jud Kneuvean, Chief of the Emergency Management Branch.
They will discuss the Missouri River clean up operation, waterway management, and other area environmental campaigns.
Colonel Anthony J. “Tony” Hofmann enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in 1986. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1990. Colonel Hofmann holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the U.S. Military Academy, a Master of Science Degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University and a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He is a certified Project Management Professional. Colonel Hofmann has held a variety of troop assignments, primarily in divisional mechanized combat engineer battalions. He served as a lieutenant in the 10th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division in Kitzingen, Germany as well as the 40th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division, in Baumholder, Germany; commanded Alpha Company as well as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado; and was the operations officer in both the 937th Engineer Group and 70th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. He also served in the Army’s Senior Leader Development Office in Rosslyn, Virginia as the assignment officer for Chemical, Engineer and Military Police colonels. His combat and operational experience includes Operation Iraqi Freedom supporting the 3rd Infantry and 1st Armored Divisions; Intrinsic Action in Kuwait with 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division; and deployment to Kuwait in support of Task Force 3-77 Armor, 3rd Infantry Division. This is Colonel Hofmann’s third tour with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. From 2006 to 2008 he commanded the Walla Walla District, responsible for the execution of a diverse civil works program over 107,000 square mile area encompassing parts of six states. Earlier he served in the New Orleans District as a project engineer, project manager and Chief of Safety, Security and Occupational Health. Colonel Hofmann’s military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two awards), the Army Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Army Commendation Medal (four awards, including Valor Device), the Army Achievement Medal (four awards), the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait, the Bronze Order of the DeFleury Medal, the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (Silver), Parachutist Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Ranger Tab and the Combat Action Badge. Colonel Hofmann is from Brooten, Minnesota. He and his wife Susan have three children; Nate, Abby and Kate.
Jud Kneuvean has served as Chief of the Emergency Management Branch since August 2008. The Emergency Management Branch of the Kansas City District is responsible for preparing the district to respond and recover from all major incidents or catastrophic events (man-made and natural). He is considered an expert in flood response and recovery under Public Law 84-99. Jud joined the Kansas City District in 1992 and has since developed a diverse background related to issues in and along the lower Missouri River. Jud grew up in Glasgow, Mo. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Southwest Missouri State University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Certificate in Emergency Management from George Washington University.
