SWD welcomes Ollar as new deputy commander

Published July 20, 2015
Southwestern Division Deputy Commander Col. Donovan Ollar

Southwestern Division Deputy Commander Col. Donovan Ollar

by Martie Cenkci

Southwestern Division Public Affairs

DALLAS—Col. Donovan D. Ollar became the Deputy Commander of the Southwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on July 17, 2015.  Prior to this assignment, he was Sidewinder 07, the Senior Engineer Trainer, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.

 The Colorado Springs, Colo., native has served in a variety of command and staff positions, including Commander, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th BCT, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.  Prior to taking command, he served as the Battalion Executive Officer and Operations Officer for the 84th Engineer Battalion and Maneuver Planner with the 25th Infantry Division, both at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.  He also served as a Project Engineer with the Far East District, Korea; Engineer Captain’s Career Course Small Group Instructor and Aide de Camp to the Commanding General of the Maneuver Support Center, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

His overseas deployments have included Uphold Democracy in Haiti (1995-96); Operation Enduring Freedom in the Philippines in 2004;  and in Afghanistan from 2004-2005 and  again 2012-2013.  He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006-2007 and 2009–2010.

“Col. Ollar is an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Brig. Gen. David C. Hill, Southwestern Division commander.  “He brings proven command and leadership experience, combined with engineering and professional expertise, all of which will help us as we work to deliver value to the region and to the Nation.” 

Ollar is a 1993 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri at Rolla and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri. 

His military awards and decorations include four  Bronze Star Medals, five Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals,  the Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Star), the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Armed Forces Service Medal.   He has also earned the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutists Badge and Air Assault Badge.


Release no. 15-013