Colonel Kathryn P. Sanborn assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, as the 53rd commander, August 1, 2023.
Sanborn leads a team of about 900 employees who undertake military construction in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon; and are responsible for an extensive civil works Engineering and construction mission in Washington, Idaho and Montana. The district’s programs also include preservation of historic structures, and hazardous, toxic and
radioactive waste cleanup. Seattle District manages nearly $1 billion worth of work annually.
Prior to taking command of the Seattle District Sanborn served as the South Pacific Division deputy commander July 2022 to August 2023. Before that she served as a Civil Engineering Division assistant professor at the United State Military Academy at West Point, New York. From July 2018 to June 2020, she was the commander of the Honolulu District at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
Sanborn's military service began at Fort Lewis, Washington, where she served as a platoon leader in the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), and Task Force Engineer for 11th Attack Helicopter Regiment while deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Upon redeployment, she served in 14th Combat Engineer Battalion (Wheeled) and the 555th Engineer Brigade. She commanded 68th Combat Support Equipment (CSE) Engineer Company, 36th Engineer Brigade, at Fort Hood, Texas where she deployed her company to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008.
In 2010, Colonel Sanborn reported to the United States Military Academy, teaching in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. In 2013, she reported to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as the Group Engineer for two years. In 2021, she returned to the United States Military Academy as a senior military faculty member teaching Construction Management, advising a capstone on base camp development and leading the Civil Engineering Division Design Group.
Sanborn earned her commission and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from West Point. She also holds a Master of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering from University of Vermont and Doctorate in Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Captain's Career Courses, Joint Engineer Operations Course, Command and General Staff College and U.S. Army War College.
She is a Vermont licensed Professional Engineer and certified Project Management Professional. Her military awards and decorations include four Meritorious Service Medals and four Army Commendation Medals, the Parachutist Badge and Dutch Parachutist Badge. She also received the Engineer Regiment's Bronze Order of the de Fleury.