The Dredging Contractors of America congratulates Adam Telle on his confirmation by the U.S. Senate as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASACW). The Senate approved his nomination by a 72–22 vote on Saturday, August 4, 2025, just before adjourning for the summer recess. President Donald J. Trump nominated Mr. Telle on March 24, 2025.
We look forward to working with him as he leads the Civil Works mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His extensive legislative experience, coupled with his insight into national security and infrastructure challenges, makes him exceptionally well-suited to guide the future of our nation’s waterways and water resources.
Mr. Telle brings more than two decades of public service in the U.S. Senate, having served in senior roles for Senator Richard Shelby and later Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, where he was Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. He also served as chief staff member for the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee, managing a $70 billion portfolio across 20 federal agencies.
From 2019 to 2021, Mr. Telle led the Senate affairs team in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs during President Trump’s first term. Notably, during this period, the FY 2020 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill—part of H.R.1865—was passed into law establishing a new and innovative regional dredge demonstration program for the central Gulf Coast. Administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the program was designed to explore innovative, sequenced approaches to dredging that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize disruptions to critical construction and maintenance projects nationwide. Senator Richard Shelby spearheaded the provision, working closely with the White House and private sector dredging industry to bring the program to life.
“We look forward to working with ASA Telle in this critical role,” said William P. Doyle, CEO of the Dredging Contractors of America. “He’s a dealmaker who understands the legislative process and knows the importance of finding innovative ways to increase dredging for our U.S. ports and waterways.”
A native of Northport, Alabama, Mr. Telle graduated magna cum laude from Mississippi State University’s Bagley College of Engineering with a degree in computer science and communications.
