Brigadier General William C. “Bill” Hannan Jr. assumed duties as commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, on June 28, 2024.
As division commander, he is responsible for providing guidance and direction to five operating district commands located in Portland, Oregon; Seattle and Walla Walla, Washington; Kansas City, Missouri; and Omaha, Nebraska, with a combined professional workforce of nearly 5,800. Key missions include managing the nation's water resources infrastructure for economic growth and environmental sustainability, timely response to natural disasters, support to military installations and civilian communities throughout the region and strengthening national security.
A native of Ohio, Hannan, was commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1997 after graduating from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He also holds master’s degrees in engineering management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Prior to his arrival at Northwestern Division, Hannan commanded USACE’s Transatlantic Division and led its program delivering innovative design, construction, engineering, and contingency solutions in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Southern Command, and other global partners.
Hannan’s other key assignments include: Director of Academic Operations for the U.S. Army War College; Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Engineer School; Chief of Engineer Engagements and Exercises for Headquarters, U.S. Army Pacific; Battalion Executive and Operations Officer; Small Group Leader and Instructor for the Engineer Captain’s Career Course; Brigade Maintenance Officer; Geospatial Officer for Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe; and Platoon Leader, Brigade Engineer and Aide de Camp in the 82nd Airborne Division. He commanded USACE’s Kansas City District from 2019 to 2021 and served as the Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation –Iraq (OSC-I) where he led its mission a building Iraqi Security Force operational and institutional capacity. He has served at various locations throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, including two deployments to Afghanistan and two to Iraq.
Hannan is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms Staff Service School, Joint Engineer Operations Course, Ranger School, Sapper School, Explosive Ordnance Clearance Agent Course, Jump Master Course, Engineer Officer Advance Course and Engineer Officer Basic Course. He is also a certified Project Management Professional.
Hannan’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Operation Inherent Resolve Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, NATO Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Combat Action Badge and the Silver de Fleury Medal.