Commissioner’s Office
Washington, D.C.
Media Contact: Dan DuBray 202-513-0574
For Release On: March 5, 2014
Lowell Pimley Named Acting Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner
WASHINGTON – Newly confirmed Deputy Secretary Michael L. Connor has praised Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell’s decision to appoint Lowell Pimley to serve as acting Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation until a new Commissioner is selected by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate.
“Lowell has the depth of knowledge and breadth of experience to manage through the complex issues facing Reclamation,” said Connor. “The collaborative relationships he has built during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner have prepared him to step into the responsibilities of this position.”
Pimley has served as Deputy Commissioner for Operations since January 2013 with oversight of Reclamation’s five regions, the Native American and International Affairs Office, and Technical Resources, which includes the Technical Service Center, Research and Development Office, Power Liaison and Dam Safety Officer/Design, Estimating, Construction.
“It is a great honor to take on this responsibility during the transition to a new Commissioner,” Pimley said. “I look forward to leading Reclamation though what will be a very interesting and challenging time for water managers in the West. Mike Connor has left some big shoes to fill but I will do my best to step into them.”
Prior to being named Deputy Commissioner, Pimley was the Director of the Technical Service Center in Denver, conducting and coordinating planning studies, design and construction support on a variety of water resource and related projects.
He joined Reclamation in 1980 as a civil engineer where he developed and directed designs on varied project features ranging from tunnels to bridges to large pipeline systems. Over the years Pimley’s responsibilities expanded to include project reviews for domestic and international civil works projects as well as policy development for Reclamation’s planning, design, cost estimating and construction programs.
Pimley has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. He has been a Registered Professional Engineer in Colorado since 1985.
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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov<http://www.usbr.gov/>.
