Lieutenant Colonel Kathryn A. Werback assumed the duties as the Commander and District Engineer of the Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 12 July 2024. LTC Werback oversees more than 800 engineers and professionals from various functional backgrounds. LTC Werback is responsible for Civil Works, Interagency Programs and the Operations of USACE projects and activities for Eastern Washington, all of Idaho and portions of Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming and Utah.
LTC Katie Werback is a native of San Jose, CA. In 2005, she graduated from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a minor in Studio Art, the Engineer-in-Training Certificate, and a commission through Army ROTC. She holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia, a Project Management Professional, and an Envision Sustainability Professional. Her military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Joint Engineer Operations Course, and the Command and General Staff College.
Katie was initially assigned to the 92nd Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), Fort Stewart, Ga., from 2006 to 2010. She deployed to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM V and to Yuma, Arizona to build border road for Joint Task Force-North.
In 2010, LTC Werback was assigned to the 18th Engineer Brigade, Germany where she served as Brigade Public Affairs Officer and deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While deployed, she served as the Public Works Officer with the Construction Management Team during Operation DEVIL HAMMER, the Ghazni rapid base expansions for the 82nd Airborne.
In November 2012, she took command of the 902nd Engineer Company (Vertical). Her command culminated in a two-month long deployment to Mihail Kogălniceanu Airbase, Romania to construct a personnel staging facility.
LTC Werback was selected for the Training with Industry program starting in 2014 where she worked for a year with Dewberry, a civilian architect and engineer firm in Fairfax, VA. Her follow on assignment until 2017 was with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with duties in Ft Belvoir and then Poland at Naval Support Facility-Redzikowo to serve as the military representative for the construction of a US Missile Defense Site, the Navy’s Aegis Ashore.
From 2018 to 2021, LTC Werback was assigned to the 130th Engineer Brigade In Hawaii as S3 Plans, 84th Engineer Battalion XO, and 130th EN BDE XO, supporting engineer missions throughout the INDO-PACOM.
In April 2021, LTC Werback served the Aide de Camp to the 55th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of USACE in Washington, DC. From 2022 to 2024, she served as the Deputy Commander for USACE Portland District and in July 2024, she assumed command of the Walla Walla District.
LTC Werback’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two campaign stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (two campaign stars), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon (four), NATO Medal, Holland Four Day Cross (two), Parachutist Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold) and Engineer DeFleury Medal (Bronze).
LTC Werback’s family includes partner, Greg, and their cats, (registered therapy cat) Rosie and Kittleson.