Dawson & Associates Advisor in Iraq

April 19, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - When he joined Dawson & Associates as a Senior Advisor, General (ret.) Elvin R. "Vald" Heiberg already had a long and distinguished career as a public servant. But now he's added another impressive contribution to his extraordinary service record, assisting the Coalition Provisional Authority's efforts to rebuild Iraq.

Headed by Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) is the temporary governing body in Iraq during the transition phase. General Heiberg worked for a year with the CPA to rebuild and modernize the country's transportation infrastructure. This enormous task involved transforming Iraq 's aviation, maritime, highway, and rail systems. Vald provided advice and counsel to Iraq Minister of Transportation Behnam and his senior administrators on these transportation issues.

While minimal damage was sustained during the conflict, the transportation infrastructure was severely neglected during the Hussein regime. The airport runways and buildings are so decrepit that none of the Iraqi airports initially met international standards. The rail system is obsolete, rife with deteriorating tracks. Resolving these problems is critical to ensure safe transport of passengers, freight, and humanitarian aid.

Mike Strachn, Vice President at Dawson & Associates, had high praise for Heiberg, "We are extremely proud of the important work that Vald Heiberg did for the Coalition's initiatives in Iraq. He contributed greatly to efforts to improve that nation's transportation infrastructure."

Vald Heiberg was also responsible for recruiting other personnel to participate in the rebuilding effort. One such expert is Tom Wakeman, General Manager from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Vald recruited him as the principal maritime advisor to oversee the rebuilding of Iraq 's national port system. The six major ports are key transit points for commercial shipping, but currently have insufficient power and are littered with wrecks. The team is stationed at Umm Qasr, Iraq 's most important port, and the first city taken by coalition forces.

While CPA is headquartered in Baghdad, Vald generally worked from the Pentagon office. He made three 1/2-month trips to Iraq, spending time at both the ports and airports each time. Given the dangerous conditions, he said sometimes, "We were just trying to keep our heads down."

General Heiberg has had the opportunity to witness some remarkable events while in Iraq. During one visit, a congressional delegation was also visiting the Iraq. One of the contractors presented the delegation with Saddam Hussein's shotgun, which he often brandished in public appearances. While "There is still a lot to do," Heiberg says, "but positive changes are definitely happening." Vald notes that the Iraqi managers are already beginning to make decisions for the long term. "The Iraqis don't necessarily manage or decide as we Coalition members would, but it is their country. I think Iraq has a chance to become an important functioning independent member of the international community." Vald Heiberg left the CPA in May '03 as the Authority began its transition for the July 1st transfer of authority to Iraq."

Related Links

For more information about General Heiberg, click here.

To learn more about the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), visit their official web site.