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Corps’ Los Angeles District celebrates end of fiscal year with more than $485M in contract awards

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District
Published Oct. 10, 2017
Mike Robinson, contract specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, right, is congratulated by Col. Kirk Gibbs, District commander, left, during the Oct. 5 End of the Year Celebration at the District headquarters in downtown LA.

Mike Robinson, contract specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, right, is congratulated by Col. Kirk Gibbs, District commander, left, during the Oct. 5 End of the Year Celebration at the District headquarters in downtown LA. Robinson was instrumental in getting $75 million worth of contracts awarded on behalf of the National Reconnaissance Office. He was one of about 40 District employees who received a Year End Hero award during the event for work he completed on behalf of the District.

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District awarded about 960 contracts worth more than $485 million in fiscal year 2017.

Employees were honored for those achievements during an End-of-the-Year Celebration Oct. 5 at the District’s headquarters office in downtown LA. The District’s field offices in California, Arizona and Nevada joined the event via video teleconference.

Col. Kirk Gibbs, commander of the Los Angeles District, acknowledged the hard work of employees leading up to the Sept. 30 end-of-the-fiscal-year deadline.

“What an incredible year we had,” he said. “I think that led the region, as far as the Districts. That was a super effort … What the Los Angeles District has is an amazing reputation throughout the Corps. It’s a reputation that you get things done, deliver on your commitment, and you do whatever it takes to help people.”

Gibbs talked about why District employees stay late every Sept. 30 to ensure contracts for projects – like last-minute military construction work for Edwards Air Force Base – are awarded.

“Well the answer is because we’re the Los Angeles District, and if we can do it, we’re going to give it a shot,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re going to get projects awarded for construction that make military bases better, safer (and) enable readiness of their forces to deploy. That’s what it’s all about.”

This is his last end-of-fiscal year, Gibbs said, and his third and final year as the District’s commander.

During the celebration, he reiterated the importance of the District’s vision statement: “A results-driven organization that values its people and partners, and delivers world-class infrastructure to the nation for generations to come.”

“I love that vision statement, and, really, that is what we’re all about and what you all did during this last fiscal year,” he said.

As the District turns the page to fiscal year 2018, Gibbs said, employees and supervisors should focus on three things: “Taking care of each other and taking care of your people; giving 100 percent every day you come to work; and meeting every milestone.”

“If we give 100 percent, and we take care of each other, we’re going to meet more milestones than you will ever imagine …” he said. “You have a great reputation, and it (has been) an honor to command this District for three years. I look forward to the next nine months.”

In addition to celebrating numerous project completions throughout the District, about 40 employees were recognized as Year End Heroes for their contributions to the organization.