LOS ANGELES — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District leadership hosted a town hall Oct. 29 at the district’s main office to celebrate the district’s accomplishments from the past fiscal year and recognize employees.
During his remarks, Col. Andrew Baker, Los Angeles District commander, congratulated the district on a successful inaugural 5K run/walk, encouraged members to participate in this year’s Combined Federal Campaign if they can and thanked those who took the time to respond to the 2024 Defense Organizational Climate Survey. He also addressed concerns raised by the survey and reaffirmed his expectations.
“LA — we’re unlike most districts out there; we’ve got a larger percentage of the American population within our operational borders compared to any other district in the nation,” he said. “That comes with a lot of focus on what we do. It’s been a fantastic year — I can say with confidence that we’ve maintained our reputation for delivering projects of great consequence on time, safely.”
In Fiscal Year 2024, the LA District completed more than $876 million in work, including about $386 million in Military Construction in support of warfighters and their families; about $320 million in Civil Works projects in communities; and $113 million in International and Interagency Support Services in support of veterans and other agencies.
The district also completed 674 contract actions, worth more than $463 million, and closed out 207 contracts, still ranking first on a regional scale.
In addition to the preceding accomplishments, chiefs from each division, including Construction, Contracting, Engineering, Mega Projects, Office of Counsel, Operations, Planning, Real Estate, Regulatory, Resource Management, and Programs and Project Management shared highlights from their teams with the district.
“If you take away one thing today, I hope it’s, ‘Wow, it’s amazing how much we’ve accomplished this past year,’” Baker said. “Thank you so much for all you do. It’s the folks in this room and the folks online who allow us to deliver quality projects on time and within budget, which is what we were charged with for the American people. It’s a righteous job, it’s a righteous program and I’m so proud to be part of it.”
At the end of the event, leadership presented the FY24 Third and Fourth Quarterly Local Awards. Below are the recipients:
Third Quarter Award Winners:
Kevin Inada Employee of the Quarter Award: Kelly Boyd
For the employee who serves as the best example of outstanding contribution to the organization, taking the LA District from good to great.
Mike Cogan Safety Employee of the Quarter Award: Timothy Jackson
To recognize an employee’s outstanding contributions in safety and occupational health promotion to the organization.
Pillar Award: Melody Engler
To the individual who has established a pattern of excellence in the support they provide to their fellow team members and the organization and exemplifies the commander’s motto of “Taking care of People.”
Rising Star Awards: Stephanie Dang and Joshua Pendergrass
Recognizes new and up-and-coming individuals.
Compass Award: Joseph Ryan
The best example of an employee who provides experience-based advice to help show the way to other employees and navigate through unfamiliar terrain.
H2O Helping Hands for Others: Kameha Jackson-Crespo and Natalie Martinez-Takeshita
Recognizes individuals who demonstrated the best example of selfless service on which the individual voluntarily took initiative to assist others making an impact on the LA District community.
Outstanding Project Delivery Team Member: Bonievee Delapaz
Recognizes a model PDT member, having demonstrated a significant positive influence on the PDT.
Good Catch Award: Charles Fouty and Todd Maxon
Recognizes employees who report a near miss “good catch” that was intended to prevent damage, injury or illness (mishaps).
Fourth Quarter Award Winners:
Commander’s Eagle: Danielle Lenox
To the employee with outstanding demonstration of specific actions reflecting the LA District commander’s motto, “Building Strong and Taking Care of People!”
Kevin Inada Employee of the Quarter Award: April Emerson
For the employee who serves as the best example of outstanding contribution to the organization, taking the LA District from good to great.
Mike Cogan Safety Employee of the Quarter Award: Mayra Bosque
To recognize an employee’s outstanding contributions in safety and occupational health promotion to the organization.
Compass Award: Tiffany Troxel
The best example of an employee who provides experience-based advice to help show the way to other employees and navigate through unfamiliar terrain.
H2O Helping Hands for Others: April Emerson and Danielle Lenox
Recognizes individuals who demonstrated the best example of selfless service for which the individual voluntarily took initiative to assist others making an impact on the LA District community.
Good Catch Award: Aaron Burke
Recognizes employees who report a near miss “good catch” that was intended to prevent damage, injury or illness (mishaps).
Hazard Identification and Reporting: Florin Nistor
Recognizes employees who identified and reported hazards that, when mitigated, affected a change in policy, updated a work procedure or rectified a physical or health hazard exposure and resulted in a safer working environment.
Outstanding PDT: L1H0520 Project Controls Section Team
Reflects the best example of a team on which the members took individual responsibility, communicated well, worked hard, had fun and efficiently achieved an important accomplishment.
- Shane Frost Sr.
- Nathaniel Van Loan
- Thang Ma
- Juan Vasquez Jr.
- James Northup
- Steven Weiss
- Robbie Shum
- Pamela Workman
- Douglas Tuccio
End-of-Year Heroes
For outstanding performance from August to September 2024, significantly contributing to the successful implementation of high-priority, extensive, end-of-year activities for the LA District.
- Dina Aman
- Raj Cooper
- Kristin Dowling
- Alma Anderson
- Aaron Cruz
- Brandon Durham
- Fany Anderson
- Julio Cuadra
- Tracy Eccles
- Maria Ang
- Kelly Davis
- James Elsberry
- Enoch Burrola
- Robert DeDeaux
- Melody Engler
- Casey Cai
- Norma Deharo
- Sandra Estrada
- Mary Carmona
- Sally DeSimone
- Gonzalo Galvan
- Christina Chavez
- Joseph Devincenzo
- Elvis Garay
- Louis Clementz
- Ling Do
- Roberto Garcia
- Orville Collins
- Juan Dominguez
- Susan Gayagas
- Tezra Hamilton
- Wendy Luo
- Dominic Pebenito
- Kelly Howard
- Jeffrey Luong
- Portia Pham
- Crystal Huerta
- Thomas Luu
- James Piersa
- Johnny Inthirath
- Sophia Ma
- Ashley Powell
- Harlan Jefferson
- Maj. David Paxton
- Alyson Reichstein
- Patrick Klein
- Clarence Manalang
- Roxanna Rivas
- Robert Kwan
- Margaret Marks
- Angela Rollock
- Carmen Lara
- Marissa McGowan
- Max Roseman
- Michael Lawton
- Edward Mitchell
- Alexandra Ryan
- John Lee
- Janice Opperman
- Helen Sanchez
- Luis Sepulveda
- Michele Tugaoen
- Bimayendra Shrestha
- Matthew Wagstaff
- David Silvertooth
- Douglas West
- Jenni Snibbe
- Cynthia Wong
- Trevor Snyder
- Stephen Woody
- Kristen Steinmann
- Capt. Jeff Yin
- Danielle Storey
- Kevin Yu
- Ewelina Zielinska-Thomas
- Jonathon Thorpe
- Margie Tizon