District Commander Col. Rhett A. Blackmon and Deputy District Engineer Byron Williams recognized nearly 100 “Champions of the Texas Coast” during the Fiscal Year 2023 Second Quarter Awards Ceremony, held March 2, 2023, at the Jadwin Building and virtually via WebEx.
The ceremony recognized employees for their significant individual achievements and group accomplishments.
Several District employees received the commander’s coin for their stand-out efforts. Honoring someone with a commander’s coin is a way for the district commander to show their appreciation for a phenomenal job, on the spot. More than just a ‘thank you’ or a pat on the back, the commander’s coin is something tangible to remember the occasion. Recognized were:
- Kenny Jaynes, Dwayne Johnson, Kara Vick, Diana L. Ray, Brad Dawe, Jared Bogard, Lee Hardy, Kristin McKnight, Anna Fuglaar, Shawn Hillen, Alicia Rea, Stephen Parrish, Allen Longoria, Ron Wooten, and Nick Laskowski for their efforts in coordinating and hosting a local chapter of the Jack and Jill Foundation, encouraging and inspiring students to pursue STEM careers.
- Carol Hodges, for her work in the Contracting Division’s Supplemental Program Branch.
- Garret Sullivan, for his work managing the Port Arthur Contract 4.
Blackmon then awarded several employees with a certificate of appreciation for their support during hurricane and tropical storm relief efforts. They were:
- Vernon Griffin
- Theresa L. Conley
- Jason Jordan
- Gary Reed
Several Champions then received “On-the-Spot” awards. They were:
- Kelsey Ciarrocca, for her achievement as a cartographer for the Real Estate Division.
- Shawn Hillen, for his efforts during the Jack and Jill Foundation visit.
- Carol Hodges, for her work in high-visibility procurement in the Contracting Division.
- Bobby Petty, for his efforts as a strategic outreach specialist during the District’s Industry Day event.
- Erin A. Reid, for her assistance in preparing the records in response to court litigation, which lead to a favorable decision.
- Harlan Y. Stephens, for his efforts rescuing capsized duck hunters on the Colorado River.
- Garret Sullivan, for his efforts in successfully executing the Port Arthur Contract 4.
- Spencer D. Thigpen, for his efforts in coordinating aid to capsized duck hunters on the Colorado River.
- Angela G. Trant, for her help in meeting court timelines during crucial court litigation.
- Kristie Wood, for her help in preparing important administrative records for use in court litigation.
Bobby Petty and Nicole J. Snyder, of the Galveston District’s Mega Projects Division, earned some time off for their efforts in planning and executing the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
Sixteen Champions received a Certificate of Achievement:
- Dr. Justin T. Hall, for his contributions as civil engineer for the Hurricane Branch from December 2022 to February 2023.
- Scott Leimer, for his leadership at the alignment station during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- Jonathan K. Marshall, for his efforts at the alignment station during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- Aldrich Nichols, for his contributions as contracting officer from December 2022 to February 2023.
- Kenneth C. Pablo, for his expertise at the real estate station during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- Bobby Petty, for his support as a strategic outreach specialist during the District’s Industry Day event.
- Corrine E. Rampaul, for her expertise at the real estate station during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- Molly E. Ross, for her support of the Hickory Cove March and Living Shoreline Project as an engineering project delivery team member.
- Gregory M. Schulz, for his contribution as a construction subject matter expert during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- Kristin D. Shivers, for her leadership at the project story-map station during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- David A. Solomon, for his expertise at the construction activities station during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- Kevin J. Stephenson, for his contributions at the project elements station during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- Garret Sullivan, for his successful management of the Port Arthur Contract 4.
- Karen Vance-Orange, for her leadership at the real estate station during the Freeport Project’s Public Open House.
- Jacqueline Wittmann, for her contributions as civil engineer for the Hurricane Branch from December 2022 to February 2023.
- Ron Wooten, for his contributions and support as an outreach specialist during the District’s Industry Day event.
Blackmon awarded six Champions with the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal for their noteworthy achievements in their duties to help accomplish the District’s mission:
- Theresa L. Conley, for her exceptional service as the Hurricane Ian Recovery Office’s ENGLink lead from October 9 to November 3, 2022.
- Gary D. Cowick, for his superb dedication, leadership, and technical expertise in supporting multiple dike improvement projects in Port Arthur.
- Ryan P. Harbour, for his service as cost engineer and preparing cost products for the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way Coastal Resiliency Study.
- Mason A. McGown, for his service as cost engineer for the Engineering and Construction Division from May 2022 to January 2023.
- Mark S. Peterson, for his dedicated service to the District’s Operation Condition Assessment program and the inspection of operating projects.
- Spencer D. Thigpen, for his efforts during the rescue of capsized duck hunters on the Colorado River on December 23, 2022.
The District Commander then recognized five Champions with the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal. The medal is awarded for commendable service or achievement. Only employees with a documented past record of excellence—usually with previous honorary or performance awards—are considered for this award.
Recognized were:
- Ambrose S. Daigle III, for his service to the Army Corps of Engineers from October 1996 to May 2023.
- Michael E. Braden, for his meritorious service as the District’s Mega Projects Division chief.
- Eduardo Irigoyen, for his work as project manager on the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay program’s Freeport Project.
- Malcolm J. Sedtal III, for his exemplary service in support of the deepening and widening of the Sabine-Neches Canal.
- Harlan Y. Stephens, for his efforts in rescuing capsized duck hunters on the Colorado River, December 23, 2022.
The District’s “Heroes of the Week” for the quarter were also recognized:
- Kay Riplinger-Baltz, for the week of December 2, 2022.
- Jorge ‘Jay’ Padilla, for the week of December 19, 2022.
- Tim Certain, for the week of January 13, 2023.
- Amanda Crawford, for the week of January 27, 2023.
- Mike Nelson, for the week of February 10, 2023.
- Rodney Lumampao, for the week of February 2023.
The District also recognized employees who have reached career milestones with length of service certificates. The certificate is used to recognize federal civilian service in five-year increments.
Recognizing 5 years of service were:
- Sterling B. Adams
- David B. Besikof
- Matthew A. Fishbeck
- Ernest W. Fonyuy
- Marcus H. Gruver
Recognizing 10 years of service were:
- Jess Levenson
- Brandon L. Moehrle
- James A. Purcell
- Jasper D. Schaer
Recognizing 15 years of service were:
- Toniette M. Addison
- Miesha N. Arnold
- David B. Boothby Jr.
- Gienell Declet-Martinez
- Robert N. Hooper
- Trevor N. Welsh
Recognizing 20 years of service were:
- Keith D. Howard
- Sherry L. Salcido
Recognizing 25 years of service:
Recognizing 30 years of service:
Recognizing 35 years of service were:
- Teresa A. McFetridge
- Timothy Nelson
- Tina Ybarra
Recognizing 40 years or service were:
- Loretta Buddenhagen
- Edmund Y. H. Ching
- Paul A. Cox
- Alton H. Meyer III
- Eric G. Russek
The District also acknowledged several Champions who will be retiring from federal government service within the coming months:
- Angela G. Trant, retiring on March 31, 2023.
- Randy Moore, retiring on March 31, 2023.
- Ambrose S. Daigle, retiring on May 31, 2023.
The awards ceremony was followed by a special Spring Break-themed townhall meeting where Blackmon and Williams touched on important topics trending throughout the District.