Page 8: of Marine News Magazine (September 2025)

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Insights

Waterways Council Inc.

Eddie Belk:

Retiring, “Embracing the Journey,” and Recalling

His Service to the Nation’s Inland Waterways

By Tracy Zea, President/CEO, Waterways Council, Inc.

said that the Corps cannot be successful without sponsors

Mr. Edward (Eddie) Belk and partners, which are “force multipliers.” And while suc- retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) cess and accomplishments are important, Eddie is some- on July 31, 2025, after 38 years of service, most recently one who values people and relationships even more. as the Corps’ Director of Civil Works, the highest civilian He began his career in the private sector at engineering position within the federal agency. ? rms but always wanted to work on the Mississippi River,

While Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) advocates, with something he thought of as a “dream job.” He began with its 175 member companies and organizations, for a mod- the Corps as a temporary mid-level government GS-9 po- ern, ef? cient, well-maintained system of inland waterways sition on a hydrographic survey crew on the Mississippi. and ports, it does so side-by-side with the Corps of En- In that ? rst position with the Corps, Eddie said he gineers. And among the Corps representatives WCI has learned to embrace ? exibility, adaptability and to be open worked with over the last 22 years, Eddie Belk has been a to new ideas, advice he would later give to other Corps statesman, a problem solver who always sought solutions employees. He very much “embraced the journey,” and rather than “no” answers, and an industry partner who looked to the possibilities each new position and role with- clearly understood that the Corps working with industry in the Corps offered him. produces better results than either going it alone. He has In fact, his tours with the Army/Corps of Engineers in

Eddie Belk (left) stands with Waterways

Council, Inc.’s Chairman

Jeff Webb at WCI’s 2024 Annual Waterways

Symposium held in San

Antonio, TX, where Mr.

Belk was a speaker.

© Waterways Council, Inc.

8 | MN September 2025