Major Skelton oversees $100 million in construction

Photo By Norris Jones | A National Guardsman will soon be returning to his printing business in Missouri after a year in Baghdad where he managed 80 construction projects totaling over $100 million.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.19.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Baghdad, Iraq --A National Guardsman will soon be returning to his printing business in Missouri after a year in Baghdad where he managed 80 construction projects totaling over $100 million.

Major Steven Skelton was activated with the 35th Engineering Brigade out of Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and arrived at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Central District in June 2005. He was named the Officer in Charge of the Victory Resident Office and has overseen contracts involving thousands of workers completing numerous high visibility projects on the Camp Victory complex located adjacent to Baghdad International Airport.

Among those projects was the recent completion of the Joint Operations Center for the Iraqi Ground Forces Command. That facility was officially opened during a ribbon cutting May 3 officiated by General Abdul Qadir Jassim, Iraqi Ground Forces Commander, and Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Commander Multinational Corps Iraq.


Skelton's boss, Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Katers, says the 48-year-old quickly gained the trust and confidence of his Iraqi contemporaries and helped them improve their performance and safety. "He understood what mentoring is all about," Katers added."I've learned a lot from those in the office as well as those working at the sites. We had a lot of challenges but it's great when you see the projects completed and they're benefiting American forces and the Iraqis."

In his civilian life, Skelton operates Benchmark Printing in Jackson, Mo., a business he's owned the past decade. He and his wife Susan have three children Alex 19, Ben 16, and Claire 12. He says his family has bonded closer during their year-long separation and he's definitely looking forward to getting home. He's been a member of the Missouri National Gurard for 25 years.

• Date Taken: 06.19.2006
• Date Posted: 06.19.2006 13:50
• Story ID: 6852
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ