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Army Corps Chief of Engineers Recognizes New York Staff at Milestone Meeting

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By James D'Ambrosio U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Published April 28, 2026
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Army Corps Chief of Engineers and Commanding General Lt. Gen. William H. Graham publicly praises New York District employees during a Command Validation Milestone meeting in Belmar, New Jersey. Each received a Commanders’ Coin for their outstanding work and presentations during the briefing. Left to right: Andrew Seaman, Audrey Fanning and Jason Shea.

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New York District Engineering Division Chief Encer Shaffer speaks with Army Corps Chief of Engineers and Commanding General Lt. Gen. William H. Graham as New York District Commander Col. Alexander Young looks on.

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The Elberon section of Long Branch, New Jersey, looking north just after sand replenishment in 2020. The wider beach reduces flood risk to apartment complexes seen here.

Army Corps Chief of Engineers and Commanding General Lt. Gen. William H. Graham, Jr., recently visited Belmar, New Jersey, for a Command Validation Milestone Meeting (CVM) with New York District Leaders and personnel discussing the Sea Bright to Manasquan General Re-Evaluation Report.

PUBLIC RECOGNITION

Goals for the meeting were: endorsing the recommended plan and engineering strategy; path forward to complete feasibility-level design; and the final feasibility report and Chief’s Report. Presentations were given by New York’s Jason Shea, project manager; Andrew Seaman, planner for the feasibility study; and Audrey Fanning, a coastal engineer. Each was publicly recognized with a Commanders’ Coin by Lt. Gen. Graham for their outstanding work and presentations.

Jason Shea, project manager for the successful CVM, noted: “The study team is comprised of all in-house staff and have done an excellent job ⎼ probably the best study team I’ve worked with in my career. Highly competent, completing tasks on time and within budget. They make my job easy and deserve all the credit.”

PRESENTATIONS

Andrew Seaman led the briefing to Lt. Gen. Graham by walking through the CVM placemat. Topics covered included: a) information on the existing project and authorization; b) General Re-Evaluation Report scope and purpose; c) details of the recommended plan; d) study risks; and e) next steps and path forward for the study.

Audrey Fanning, a coastal engineer, said the project proposes adding dunes to the existing Sea Bright to Manasquan Project to improve protection against coastal storms, noting the CVM is a new milestone replacing the Agency Decision Milestone during a feasibility study. She said the team presented on the findings of the Draft Feasibility Report.

New York District Engineering Chief Encer Shaffer also gave remarks during the briefing and spoke directly with Lt. Gen. Graham.