Colonel Christian Patterson became the 12th Commander, Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on July 14, 2022.
Colonel Patterson received his commission as an Adjutant General (AG) Corps Officer from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1999. The Mississippi native is a graduate of the AG Officer Basic and Captains Career Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the Defense Information School.
Colonel Patterson’s previous military assignments include service as Director of Communications, ERDC; Director of Public Affairs, Joint Force Headquarters, Mississippi National Guard; Commander, 102d Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD); Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Combined Joint Task Force–101, Afghanistan; Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Multinational Brigade (East), Kosovo; Executive and Broadcast Officer, 102d MPAD; and the Broadcast Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Multinational Division (North), Bosnia. During his 30-year career, Colonel Patterson has also supported the U.S. Southern Command in Honduras, the Dominican Republic and in St. Kitts and Nevis. In 2004, the award-winning broadcaster traveled to Normandy, France, with the 102d MPAD to cover the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion on Omaha Beach.
Colonel Patterson possesses a Master of Business Administration degree from Belhaven University; Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from LSU; Associate in Arts in Radio, TV and Film degree from Hinds Community College; and a Professional Certificate in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University. He is currently a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication candidate with Liberty University, based in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Colonel Patterson’s major military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Army Commendation Medal with one OLC, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, NATO Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the Bronze Norwegian Foot March badge.
Certifications
- Accredited in Public Relations + Military Communication (APR+M), Universal Accreditation Board, Public Relations Society of America
Major Awards and Honors
- Alumni Award for Business Success, Belhaven University, 2022
- Ancient Order of Saint Gabriel, Army Public Affairs Association, 2020
- Professional Achievement Award, Southern Public Relations Federation, 2018
- Professional Achievement Award, Public Relations Association of Mississippi, 2018
- Advanced Practitioner of the Year, Public Relations Association of Mississippi – Central Chapter, 2016
- 2nd Place, Master Communicator of the Year, National Guard Bureau Media Contest, 2015
- Outstanding Professional of the Year – Practitioner, Public Relations Association of Mississippi – Central Chapter, 2014
- 1st Place, International Reporting, Jackson Association of Black Journalists Media Contest, 2005
- 1st Place, TV Turn and Burn Report, National Guard Bureau Media Contest, 2003
- 1st Place, Television Report, National Guard Bureau Media Contest, 2003
- 2nd Place, Senior Broadcaster, Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Media Contest (Department of the Army level), 2002
- 2nd Place, Feature Reporting, Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Association, 1996
Professional Memberships and Associations
- National Guard Association of Mississippi (Life Member)
- Public Relations Society of America (College of Fellows / APR+M Council)
- Southern Public Relations Federation
- Public Relations Association of Mississippi
- Vicksburg–Warren County Chamber of Commerce
- Cadets of the Ole War Skule (LSU)
- Army Engineer Association