LOS ANGELES — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District leaders hosted a town hall Feb. 19 at the district’s main office.
During the event, leaders thanked employees for their support to the mission, presented awards and communicated priorities.
“First of all, I really appreciate, everybody being here … it's always a privilege to just talk with you,” said Col. Andrew Baker, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ LA District. “I know it's been tumultuous the past couple months … we responded to massive wildfires, that really touched so many of the district personally or certainly you've got a friend or a family member who's been affected directly. I just want to say thanks for everything that you've been doing.”
During his remarks, Baker reminded and encouraged employees to fulfill their safety training requirements. He also spotlighted the importance of employees’ contributions to the response to the recent LA Wildfires.
“I can't really put into words how proud I am of the team on all of this,” Baker said about the district’s wildfire response. “I think it's really touched just about every division in some way, shape or form. I mean, it's really taken a village to kind of get this thing done, and we should all be really proud to be part of that.”
At the end of his remarks, Baker also presented Fiscal Year 2025 First Quarterly Local Awards and certificates to employees who supported wildfire operations. Below are the recipients:
Kevin Inada Employee of the Quarter Award: Trevor R. Snyder
Recognizes an employee with outstanding contribution to the organization taking SPL from good to great.
Mike Cogan Safety Employee of the Quarter Award: Aaron Padin
Recognizes an employee for their outstanding contributions in safety and occupational health promotion to the organization.
Innovator of the Year: Brandon Colvin
Recognizes an individual’s innovation efforts, contributing to revolutionizing USACE services, processes, programs or products.
Pillar: Leah Carrera
Recognizes an 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: David Schroeder
Recognizes new and up-and-coming individuals.
The Helping Hand for Others (H20) Award: Alyson Reichstein
Recognizes individuals who demonstrated the best example of selfless service.
Good Catch: Charles Fouty
Recognizes employees who report a near miss "good catch" that was intended to prevent damage, injury or illness.
Hazard Identification and Reporting: Sarah Diebolt
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.
Wildfire mission tasker support
For outstanding support to the Los Angeles District in responding to the wildfires during the period Jan. 7 to Feb. 2.
- Aaron Burke
- Abigail Kretschmar
- Anthony Sirna
- Areca Wilson
- Arnold Gelacio
- Baron Arakawa
- Brenna Smith
- Callie Russell
- Chadi Wahby
- Danielle Storey
- David Kingston
- Dena O’Dell
- Denny Foulk
- Douglas Hessler
- Douglas Ritchie
- Glenn Coalwell
- Grant Adams
- Hanna Weyland
- Hector Herrera
- James Marcilla
- Jason Padilla
- Jeffrey Geraci
- Jeffrey Owens
- Jenny Zuniga
- Jeremy Jackson
- Joaquin Torres Jr.
- John Fogarty Jr.
- John Rishi
- Joseph Gatti
- Juan Urena
- Kevin Bontomasi
- Kinya Minami
- Leah Carrera
- Leticia Zarate
- Lisa Sandoval
- Margie Tizon
- Mark Harvey
- Mark Turgeon
- Mark McLarty
- Megan Whalen
- Melanie Ellis
- Melanie Stalder
- Michael Curtis Jr.
- Michael Robinson
- Milthon Galindo
- Naeem Siddiqui
- Nancy Allen
- Nicholas Olsen
- Olufunke Ojuri
- Orville Collins
- Paul Underwood Jr.
- Philip Devine
- Raj Cooper
- Randall Lipari
- Robert DeDeaux
- Robert Moreno
- Robert Ramos
- Rubyann Prout
- Ryan Meersman
- Salvador Rodriguez Jr.
- Sarah Coles
- Sean Sackett
- Sergio Valdovinos
- Shaun Frost
- Stephanie Dang
- Susan Lee
- Susan Lyon
- Susan Yarbrough
- Timothy McIntyre
- Timothy Fairbank
- Travis England
- Trevor Snyder
- Vicie Graves
- William Reckling
- Wyatt Jenkins
- Yat Ku
- Yong Eo