Colonel James B. Pence assumed the duties of Deputy Commander, Mississippi Valley Division, Vicksburg, Mississippi, August 3, 2026. He also serves as Secretary, Mississippi River Commission.
Colonel Pence graduated from Norwich University in 2003 and was commissioned as an Engineer Officer.
His previous assignments include Battalion Commander of the 2nd Brigade Engineer Battalion; Senior Observer/Coach and Trainer for the Sidewinder Team at the National Training Center; Operations Officer in the Joint Staff; Battalion Operations and Battalion Executive Officer for the 82nd Engineer Battalion; Plans Officer in the 1st Infantry Division; Small Group Leader for the Engineer Captain’s Career Course; Commander of the 510th Clearance Company; Battalion Plans Officer in the 20th Engineer Battalion; Assistant S3 Operations Officer in the 36th Engineer Brigade; and Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in the 82nd Engineer Battalion.
He is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, and the U.S. Army War College. Colonel Pence’s civilian education includes a bachelor’s degree in business management from Norwich University and a graduate degree in public administration from Webster’s University.
Colonel Pence’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge.
The Mississippi Valley Division is responsible for water resources engineering solutions in a 370,000-square-mile area, extending from Canada to the Gulf of America and encompassing portions of 12 states. Work is carried out by district offices located in St. Paul, Minnesota; Rock Island, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Vicksburg, Mississippi; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Since 1879, the seven-member presidentially appointed Mississippi River Commission has developed and matured plans for the general improvement of the Mississippi River from the Head of Passes to the Headwaters. The Mississippi River Commission brings critical engineering representation to the drainage basin, which impacts 41% of the United States and includes 1.25 million square miles, over 250 tributaries, 31 states and two Canadian provinces.