Dr. Jeffery P. Holland became the Director of Research and Development and Chief Scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in January 2010. In this role, he develops policy, sets direction and provides oversight for Corps research and development. He advises the Chief of Engineers on matters of science and technology and sets conditions for success in the area.
Holland is also Director of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), which is headquartered in Vicksburg, Miss. As Director, Holland manages one of the most diverse research organizations in the world – seven laboratories located in four states, with more than 2,500 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual program exceeding $1.5 billon.
ERDC R&D supports the Department of Defense and other agencies in military and civilian projects. Principal research mission areas include Soldier support, military installations, environment, water resources, and information technology. The ERDC was named the Army’s R&D Organization of the Year in 2009, the third consecutive year ERDC has received this prestigious honor.
Prior to his current position, Holland served for three years as deputy director of ERDC, assisting the previous director in the management of the multi-laboratory facility. He also served as the director of ERDC’s Information Technology Laboratory where he oversaw the development and sustainment of technological infrastructure to support ERDC, and execution of a broad R&D and operational program in the areas of high-performance computing, high-bandwidth communications, computer-aided engineering, computer-aided design and drafting, geographic information systems, software engineering, scientific visualization, library services, electronic and traditional publishing, records management, animation, photography and video production.
Holland received his bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, with honors, from Western Kentucky University, and a master’s degree in environmental and water resources engineering from Vanderbilt University. He holds a doctorate in civil engineering from Colorado State University.
He has received numerous awards during his career, including the 2008 Presidential Rank Award, the Army Research and Development Award, the Army Bronze Order of de Fleury Medal, and the Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications, is a member of several technical societies, and is a registered professional engineer in Mississippi.