News Release Archive

Reclamation's Maryanne Bach Receives Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive

Media Contact: LaVona Andrew, 202.513.0578, landrew@usbr.gov

For Release: June 09, 2005

Dr. Maryanne Bach of the Bureau of Reclamation has been selected to receive the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive. This award recognizes sustained exceptional performance resulting in better and less expensive service to the public.

"Maryanne is a valuable part of Reclamation and consistently provides excellent leadership," said Reclamation Commissioner John Keys. "She has served Reclamation in many capacities, all with merit, and I'm proud to see her receive this high level of recognition for her leadership as Great Plains Regional Director." Bach is currently Reclamation's Director of Research and Development. As the first female regional director in the bureau's 100-year history, Bach directed Reclamation's work in the largest of five regions, which includes nine states. Under her leadership, major dam safety modifications to four earthfill dams were completed on time and at nearly $40 million below the original project cost estimate.

Because Reclamation's Great Plains Region stretches from the Canadian to the Mexican border, Bach worked intensively with international issues, through the International Joint Commission (Canada) and International Boundary and Water Commission (Mexico). She is the United States' chair of the International Red River Board, a board of the International Joint Commission whose role is to identify and consider water-related issues in the trans-boundary watershed and to monitor the overall health of the Red River ecosystem. As Director of Research and Development, Bach is taking the lead in exploring technology for projects to treat brackish groundwater and provide clean water for small areas without the expense of huge water delivery and treatment systems.

Bach received her B.S. degree (cum laude) in Biology from Providence College, R.I.; M.S. in Botany and Plant Ecology (magna cum laude) from Iowa State University; and an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Providence College. In 1992, she received the Iowa State University Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Bach is a member of Phi Sigma Tau and Phi Kappa Phi.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.