News Release
| Release Number: | 97-042 |
| Dated: | 5/5/1997 |
| Contact: | Matt Rabe, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.-- Robert G. Couch has been named chief of Construction Branch, the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced recently.
Prior to coming to Portland, Couch served as the chief of Contract Administration in the Corps' Walla Walla District in Washington.
In his new position, Couch will oversee the District's construction program, which last year totaled more than $23.6 million for civil works projects in Oregon and southwestern Washington, including dredging, new construction and repair work. He also will supervise a staff of 25 professional, technical and administrative personnel who ensure these construction projects are completed safely and on time while maintaining their quality assurance.
Couch joined the Corps in 1979 in Seattle where he worked as a modifications engineer. In 1980, he took an assignment with the Corps' Walla Walla District as a project engineer at the Snake River Area Office. In 1989 he went on to become the chief of the District's Contract Administration Branch, a position he held until moving to Portland. Couch also served in a temporary assignment in 1992 as the resident engineer during the initial recovery efforts following Hurricane Andrew in Florida.
Couch was born in Leavenworth, Wash., and received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Washington State University.
He and his wife Jennifer live in Washougal, Wash., and have two children, Stephanie and Larry.