Wen, can you share your journey in becoming the Water Resources Center Director? What experiences and insights have prepared you for this position?
Wen: My journey to becoming the Water Resources Center (WRC) Director has been both exciting and fulfilling. I began my career as a researcher on a working visa at Michigan State University, supporting USACE as an onsite visiting scholar first at the Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 2000, and then at the Institute for Water Resources’(IWR) Alexandria office in 2002. In 2009, I joined IWR as an economist and later as a supervisor. In 2022, I transitioned to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as a Supervisory Economist and Branch Chief before returning to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) IWR in 2024 as the WRC Director. During my tenure at IWR, I have evolved from mostly technical work in the earlier days to focus more on directing programs, managing projects, and leading people. I am very passionate about water resources management and its critical role in infrastructure safety, sustainable economic development, healthy communities, and environmental stewardship. I have had the privilege of leading interdisciplinary teams within IWR and across the Corps, sometimes in collaboration with other agencies and internationally, which has prepared me to transition into my current position.
How do you envision your leadership impacting the Water Resources Center’s mission and objectives?
Wen: I envision my leadership driving the Water Resources Center towards greater innovation and collaboration, and to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in the field of water resources management and develop proactive strategies to address them effectively. My goal is to harness the diverse talents within our team to address the complex challenges of water resource management. By fostering an environment of open communication and continuous learning, I aim to enhance our strategic, operational, and tactical approaches. My focus will be on leveraging our expertise in economics, social sciences, natural resource management, IWRM, planning and policy research, and many other areas to develop solutions that benefit USACE and the nation. I would like to set up a clear strategic vision and direction for WRC, aligning its goals and objectives with broader mission priorities. This also involves identifying our own identity with a branding effort.
Collaboration often drives innovation in the field of water resources. How do you plan to foster partnerships and collaboration within the center and beyond?
Wen: I recognize the importance of collaboration and partnership in addressing complex water resources issues. I will foster a collaborative work culture both within and outside of WRC, encouraging open communication, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary collaboration among staff, stakeholders, and external partners. I believe we can resolve complex issues more effectively and efficiently by leveraging the collective expertise and resources of diverse partners to develop innovative solutions and achieve greater impact. By engaging with national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations, we can bring diverse perspectives and expertise to our projects.
In what ways do you believe the Water Resources Center can adapt to emerging technologies and methodologies to stay at the forefront of the field?
Wen: To stay at the forefront of the field, WRC will continue to monitor all key indicators such as population growth and change, budget constraints, climate change, urbanization, and new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, to anticipate future water resources issues and their potential impacts on infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. We will foster strategic partnerships and collaborations with government agencies, academia, industries, and Non-Governmental Organizations to leverage expertise, share knowledge, and exchange best practices. By engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, we can enhance our collective understanding of emerging trends and develop better strategies. WRC will also contribute to developing priority frameworks and guidelines that support proactive and adaptive water resources management, and continue to build capacity within USACE and its partners to anticipate and respond to future challenges. Promoting innovation and technology adoption as key drivers of future solutions will be a priority, and supporting new initiatives, technologies, and approaches will be essential.
The Water Resources Center has a rich history of impactful innovations. Are there any particular areas, programs, or projects you're eager to explore or enhance during your tenure?
Wen: WRC has historically hosted many innovative efforts for the Corps, including the first agency-wide certified Regional Economic model (RECONS), the Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise (CPCX), the International Center for Integrated Water Resource Management (ICIWaRM), IWR Planning Suite, Beach-FX, social benefits study, ecosystem goods and services valuation methods, and the National Economic Development and Regional Economic Development Manuals and guidance, just to name a few. We should continue to collaborate with stakeholders to identify and implement effective strategies for addressing water management challenges. WRC's advantage lies in our human capital and collaborations with others, allowing us to conduct innovative interdisciplinary studies and leverage the best talents across the country.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the Water Resources Center under your leadership? How do you hope to leave your mark on the center's legacy? Anything else you’d like to add?
Wen: Looking ahead, my aspirations for the Water Resources Center include positioning us as a global leader in water resources management. I aim to leave a mark of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and embracing new technologies, we can tackle the most pressing water resources issues of our time. I also want to ensure that our work has a lasting positive impact on communities, the environment, and the economy. Lastly, I am committed to building a strong team where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a sense of belonging for all WRC family members. Together, we can achieve great things and make a significant difference in the field of water resources.