SoCal Update – Aug 07

Oceanside maintenance dredging resumes. The annual maintenance dredging at Oceanside Harbor will conclude in August with the removal of an additional 85,000 cubic meters of sand from the harbor’s entrance channel. This action will return the channel to its federally-authorized depth of 20 feet for safe navigation and will benefit commercial and recreational boating at the harbor as well as military port facilities at adjacent U.S. Marine Corps Camp Pendleton. As an added benefit, the project will place the beach-quality sand along the shoreline beginning at Tyson Street.

IN MEMORIAM: Rosemarie Sandoval

Rosemarie Sandoval, logistics management chief, passed away March 3 at age 54 from complications associated with her long term fight against cancer.
 
Rose began her 36-year career with the Los Angeles District as a student worker in 1969.  She supervised the logistics management office for more than 20 years.  Managing more than 130 hand receipt holders in the district, her Property Book Office was named the regional subject matter expert to provide the region with assistance and guidance on property book issues. Her office was one of the first to implement a new automated system for property control that improved accountability and generated a cost savings.
 
During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Rose and her team arranged logistical support for more than 2,000 federal troops responding to the crisis, earning her team high praise from the supported military units.  That same year, Rose was recognized by the Federal Executive Board as the Outstanding Supervisor of the Year.
 
Throughout her tenure as logistics supervisor, she planned end executed building and office moves with minimal disruption, thus reducing space and minimizing cost.  In 1993, she generated $135,000 in revenue for excess equipment and reduced more than 11,000 square feet of excess space.  Then, in 1996, she oversaw the planning and execution of a building move and the turnover of the old building to the GSA, which saved the organization millions of dollars.  Most recently, Rose had been at the forefront of USACE transformation, working with the regional logistics director to develop a baseline for the logistics competitive sourcing study, leading to a streamlined, high-performing logistics organization.
 
She was known and respected by her peers across the Corps for the exceptional logistics support she and her team provided to the District Commander and countless distinguished visitors to the Los Angeles District area.
 
Her personal trials with cancer have been a testimony to the workforce of courage, conviction and a will to fight against multiple odds.  She is considered a hero by many within the district as they battle cancer.
 
Rose is survived by her husband Oscar and children Michael and Lisa.

SISTER SOLDIER
(In Memory of Rosemarie Sandoval)

You stood on the battlefield
Without man-made weapons
In your hands
You held GOD’S greatest weapon
Called “FAITH” to help you stand

JESUS was your Commander
HE guided you every day
HE ordered your footsteps
Through your PRAYERS
And FAITH

My SISITER SOLDIER, you stood
Proud
With your head held high
You fought a good fight
You fought for your life

My SISTER SOLDIER, you lost
The war, but, your battle
Was won
You received the highest Medal of Honor
All of us hope, someday, we will earn
The Medal of Honor is the Key to Heaven

No more battles for you to fight

In Heaven you have a new body
A new soul, a new spirit
Your Badge of Courage is Eternal Life

Written by
Rosalyn Marie Lampkin

IN MEMORIAM: Nelson helped keep Californians safe

Jeff Nelson, a dam tender for the Corps, died April 29 at the age of 42.
 
As a dam tender, Nelson was responsible for ensuring the San Antonio Dam functioned properly and was on hand in case of any emergency. His duties weren’t all that different from tenders since a Whittier Narrows operations plan identified the responsibilities of them in 1957.
 
“The dam tender… is required to be present at the dam when rainfall or runoff is occurring… see that all equipment at the reservoir, including recorders, indicating gauges, gate mechanisms, power units, radios, etc., is in food working condition; operate the gates in accordance with the Control Group; keep the Control Group notified of any unusual developments, such as trash accumulation, power failure, mechanical difficulties, etc.; follow the fixed-gate operation schedule posted in the control house… assist engineers dispatched by the Control Group during flood emergencies in every possible way; maintain routine records on prescribed forms, including water-surface elevations, inflow and outflow gauge heights, precipitation amounts, gate openings and a daily log; notify local authorities of anticipated releases when instructed to do so by the Control Group.”

Nelson, however, was more than that to the residents living around San Antonio Dam. According to a story printed in May in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Nelson was more than a Corps employee who helped maintain the dam. He was a valued member of the community.

“Although Nelson’s job description was consisted of daily readings of temperature, water levels and condition of turbines, he went out of his way to do more for he dam,” read the article by Lori Consalvo. “Because the water was supposed to be free-flowing, Nelson would mow the surrounding area and cut back the weeds, residents said. But he did more for the dam than just keep it clean. Nelson opened it up so community members could enjoy it. In return, they kept an eye out for litter or any strange activity.”

Nelson served with the Corps for more than 17 years. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Honorees: Stephanie Hall

The BEYAC award recognizes outstanding achievement by African Americans in companies across the country.  The award honors individuals who demonstrate excellence in science, engineering or technology leadership in their workplaces and communities.  The awardees are role models who are shaping the future of engineering, science and technology.

Colonel Magness is pleased to announce the nomination of Stephanie Hall, Los Angeles District Regulatory Division, for the 2007 Black Engineer of the Year Award.  Stephanie is a bright star and role model in the Corps’ Regulatory Community.  She uses her technical skills to evaluate permit applications and work with applicants, other federal and state agencies, as well as the general public to make proposed projects more environmentally sound.

Stephanie has been a quiet force in promoting smart development, keeping infrastructure and economic needs in balance with social demands.  The multi-million dollar projects that pass through Stephanie’s hands constitute the cornerstone of life in Southern California and include port construction, maintenance dredging, highway construction and maintenance, housing construction, and ecosystem protection and restoration.  Stephanie currently leads regulatory efforts on two controversial, yet critical, highway projects, the improvements to Interstate 5 and State Route 79.

Congratulations Stephanie!

Honorees: Linda Chew

The BEYAC Modern Day Technology Leader award recognizes outstanding achievement by African Americans, Latinos, Asians and women in companies across the country.  The award honors innovators who demonstrate excellence in science, engineering or technology leadership in their workplaces and communities.  The awardees are bright, young, up-and-coming men and women who are shaping the future of engineering, science and technology.

Colonel Dornstauder is pleased to announce Linda Chew as a Modern Day Technology Leader, awarded by the Black Engineer of the Year Award Conference (BEYAC).  Linda is the chief of the Systems Management Section, Network Control Branch, Information Management, where she manages the District’s LAN/WAN resources supporting more than 750 users.  Her proactive systems work has had a significant impact in the District, and within the South Pacific Region.

Linda was one of the innovators in the early implementation of networking in the Region.  She was responsible for converting the District to Windows Active Directory and then assisted other districts with their conversion.  She implemented Microsoft SharePoint as a regional tool and continually assists in solving the more complex systems management issues throughout the Region.  Wherever leading edge information technology is implemented, Linda is there in the lead.

Congratulations Linda!