New commander takes charge

PORTLAND, Ore. — Col. Aaron L. Dorf became commander of the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during a ceremony, July 28. Dorf took command from Col. Jose L. Aguilar, who served as commander of Portland District since April 15, 2014. Aguilar had high praise for his staff.

“You are employees of character living the Army Values, you are competent in your profession, you are committed to selfless service and you are always taking steps to positively influence the culture of the Portland District,” said Aguilar during a speech at the ceremony. “Keep doing what you are doing. I salute you.”

Aguilar’s next assignment is at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he will be the Command Engineer and Deputy Logistics Officer. 

Before taking command at Portland District, Dorf was a student at the National Security Program at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, Canada. He received his U.S. Army commission in 1993 and has served in leadership and staff positions in the Middle East, the Republic of Korea, Cuba and throughout the United States.

“As I’ve learned over the past few months, and that I have confirmed again this past week, that Portland District is a busy place – very productive, and full of consummate professionals at every level,” said Dorf upon accepting command. “As I stand here with several who served before me, let me reiterate that I am personally devoted to tackling the tough issues and committed towards finding practical and innovative solutions to continue to move the proverbial ‘ball’ forward for the greater good.”

Dorf takes command of a premier engineering organization that is responsible for the Corps’ water resource activities in western Oregon and southwestern Washington and has one of the Corps’ most comprehensive and diversified civil works programs.

The Portland District places emphasis on environmental protection and restoration, fish and wildlife protection and enhancement, hydropower production, navigation, flood risk management, recreation and operation of the Corps’ center of expertise for hydropower and pump station engineering.

“I have no doubt, the great people of this District will find credible and enduring solutions to any challenges,” Dorf continued. “I look forward to developing these initiatives with you and most importantly continuing to strengthen the relationships with those around us.”

Dorf holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Science from the University of Maine and a Master of Science in Defense Geographic Information from Cranfield University. The ceremony took place at the Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland.