"Brian's engineering experience and knowledge will help Reclamation maintain a strong Dam Safety Program and undertake corrective actions expeditiously when unreasonable public risk is identified," said Achterberg.

Reclamation's Dam Safety Program continues to be one of its highest priorities. The program helps ensure the safety and reliability of Reclamation's dams to protect the downstream public. The program requires dams to be examined by specialists every three years, with additional internal reviews performed annually. In 2008, Reclamation's budget for its Dam Safety Program is $75.8 million.

Becker returned to Reclamation in 2004 as the Deputy Chief of the Dam Safety Program. He served in that role until 2006 when he was named Acting Chief. Becker originally joined Reclamation in 1985 where he was an engineer in the Concrete Dams Branch of the Technical Service Center.

In 1992, Becker left Reclamation where he joined the Division of Engineering in the Mountain-Prairie Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2000, he was named as the Service Dam Safety Officer where he served until 2004.

Becker is a graduate of North Dakota State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He is a Professional Engineer in Colorado. He lives in Lakewood, Colo., with his wife Mary Jo and their three sons.