Stan Dowdy is a civilian engineer who has contracted with the Army Corp of Engineers to spend 24 months in Iraq. Dowdy has spent 18 months in Iraq’s second largest city, Basra, located in the southern part of Iraq. He lives in a complex that houses British, Australian and American Consulates, as well as the Corp of Engineers.

The Corp of Engineers is working on several projects simultaneously that include rebuilding a new police station, replacing the existing sewer system, building a new children’s hospital and improving streets and highways. They are also working on improving the electrical system by building new substations and adding new transformers. Many of the utilities were installed more than 30 years ago and have been neglected due to no maintenance. The existing electric power is so scarce that in some locations citizens must rotate the use of electricity for one hour and turn off power for four hours.

Dowdy is a project manager and works with some local Iraqis that are, generally, hired for construction projects. He also mentioned that he usually wears a bullet-proof vest and is escorted to his office and job sites by British soldiers. He said that the three major religions are represented in construction management and all work well with each other.

Dowdy (right) with Club President Debbie Shaw (center) and program host Dick Phelan (left)