Welcome to my blog, "Corps e-spondence"
Shortly after I took command at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we introduced a list of new priorities and tenets for the Corps. One of those tenets is about my commitment to communicating transparently. That's why I am really excited about engaging in the blogosphere and I hope you'll join me in this conversation. I plan to blog about all things relevant to the Corps, from our many missions in service to the Nation, but also leadership, selfless service and people. -Best, Van |
|
|
2/12/2009
This Sunday begins the annual celebration of National Engineers Week, February 15-21. We are particularly excited that some of our best and brightest will be recognized for engineering excellence.
Some of our winners represent how we're "Building the Corps to last" as our "New Faces in Engineering" winners. Others represent how we are setting the "Standard for our Profession", such as our winners of Black Engineer and Federal Engineer of the Year Awards.
The Corps' Top "New Face in Engineering" award winner is Timothy Ernster of GRD. Tim is an electrical engineer guiding critical projects to completion in Sadr City. He is managing electrical distribution projects in East Baghdad and a Training Center project for the Iraq Ministry of Electricity. He is making large and lasting contributions to the overall success of the reconstruction mission in Iraq.
The other top "New Faces in Engineering" for USACE in 2009 include Ms. Erin Duffy of Jacksonville District; Ms. Carmen Noltemeyer-Williams of Louisville District, leading complex geotechnical engineering analyses of dams and levees; Mr. Steven Kyle McKay of ERDC’s Environmental Lab supporting USACE’s ecosystem restoration mission; and Ms. Elizabeth Burg of ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Lab, now serving in Iraq.
Each of these "new faces" serve as outstanding examples of BUILDING STRONG for the engineering profession, the Corps, the Army, and the Nation.
Look in USA Today during National Engineers Week for the photo of Tim and other energetic and passionate young engineers that are dreaming big and helping turn their ideas into reality.
We are in the midst of one of the most challenging times in our Nation's history, from reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan, to critical work on the Gulf Coast, to rebuilding critical infrastructure around the Nation.
Together we can make a difference!
Best wishes,
VAN
BUILDING STRONG 1/15/2009
Thursday afternoon a U.S. Airways plane made an emergency landing in the Hudson River in New York carrying 156 passengers and crew.
We are grateful that it appears that all have survived.
Our Corps team has responded swiftly, led by New York District Commander Col. Nello Tortora, who is on the scene with his team of experts. We are prepared to provide any number of assets to help assist in recovery operations.
It is a blessing that it looks as if our role may be limited at this time.
With are in contact with the local, state and federal authorities and will provide whatever support they need.
Best,
Van 12/24/2008
My wife, Paula, and I want to extend our warmest greetings and best wishes to you and yours.
This past year has been exciting for the Corps, with a historical workload in our Civil Works, Military Programs and research and development missions. Our Corps Family can take pride of the integral role that we've played in helping the Army improve the lives of our Soldiers and their Families. We've worked diligently with our local, state, and federal partners to reduce risk to Americans through key flood control and coastal projects, and we provided our Nation with critical engineering expertise. Our Corps employees served selflessly in assisting the good people of Louisiana and Texas recover from Gustav and Ike during a very active hurricane season.
I am especially grateful to our Corps' Civilians and Soldiers who will spend this Holiday season away from their loved ones- many in harms way. Please join us in praying for them and their families and giving thanks for their selfless service and sacrifice.
Have a safe and joyful Holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
BUILDING STRONG
Best,
Van 12/11/2008
This week I am in Memphis hosting the Corps' Small Business Conference, sponsored by The Society of American Military Engineers. Small businesses play a key role in strengthening and restoring our Nation's infrastructure and supporting our service men and women with first-class facilities.
Small businesses provide an important link to our communities and local governments. They are entrepreneurs responsible for most of the new inventions. Did you know that the majority of our Nation's patents come from small businesses?
Last year, fiscal year 2008, was a record year for the Corps, as we awarded nearly $7 billion to small businesses- $1 billion more than 2007. Dollars to "Service Disabled, Veteran Owned Business" doubled to $541 million. We predict 2009 will be an even better year! We plan to award 115 civil works contracts in New Orleans alone- many to small businesses. We are depending on our partnership with small businesses to help us deliver superior performance!
BUILDING STRONG
Van 10/30/2008
As my kids and grandkids get ready for Halloween -- I always look forward to seeing their pictures -- I couldn't think of a better way to finish off one of my favorite months. Here in Washington, October has been a month of physical fitness and mental endurance. Earlier this month some of our Corps' military and civilian members ran the Army 10-miler, while members of our team completed the Marine Corps Marathon last week. And of course, my military staff recently conducted their bi-annual physical fitness test.
Our military physical fitness tests always start by rising at oh-dark hundred (that’s military speak for early in the morning), and driving to Fort McNair in northern Virginia. There, we do as many pushups as we can in two minutes, as many sit-ups as we can in two minutes and we run two miles in a timed event along the parade field. We require our Soldiers to maintain a high level of physical fitness, because a healthy, fit and strong body goes a long way towards having a healthy and strong mind.
One of my top priorities as USACE commander is to build our organization "strong," so that it is built to last. I want to keep this organization "fit," so that we are able to make the best decisions at the right time. One way we're building strong is to hire passionate and talented people -- folks who care about the role they play in providing the infrastructure our Nation needs. Folks who understand that they help to strengthen our economy and keep our country, Armed Forces and their families safe and secure. Folks who are willing to be stretched, who want to explore use of the latest technology on everything from geospatial mapping to the latest designing and drafting software. The Corps is all about people. The right people make a difference, and they — more than our programs — will determine our organization’s ability to succeed now and in the future.
BUILDING STRONG!
Edit in Browser | /_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif | /blogs/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XsnLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser | 0x0 | 0x1 | FileType | xsn | 255 | Edit in Browser | /_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif | /blogs/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XmlLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser | 0x0 | 0x1 | ProgId | InfoPath.Document | 255 | Edit in Browser | /_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif | /blogs/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XmlLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser | 0x0 | 0x1 | ProgId | InfoPath.Document.2 | 255 | Edit in Browser | /_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif | /blogs/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XmlLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser | 0x0 | 0x1 | ProgId | InfoPath.Document.3 | 255 | Edit in Browser | /_layouts/images/icxddoc.gif | /blogs/_layouts/formserver.aspx?XmlLocation={ItemUrl}&OpenIn=Browser | 0x0 | 0x1 | ProgId | InfoPath.Document.4 | 255 | View in Web Browser | /_layouts/images/ichtmxls.gif | /blogs/_layouts/xlviewer.aspx?listguid={ListId}&itemid={ItemId}&DefaultItemOpen=1 | 0x0 | 0x1 | FileType | xlsx | 255 | View in Web Browser | /_layouts/images/ichtmxls.gif | /blogs/_layouts/xlviewer.aspx?listguid={ListId}&itemid={ItemId}&DefaultItemOpen=1 | 0x0 | 0x1 | FileType | xlsb | 255 | Snapshot in Excel | /_layouts/images/ewr134.gif | /blogs/_layouts/xlviewer.aspx?listguid={ListId}&itemid={ItemId}&Snapshot=1 | 0x0 | 0x1 | FileType | xlsx | 256 | Snapshot in Excel | /_layouts/images/ewr134.gif | /blogs/_layouts/xlviewer.aspx?listguid={ListId}&itemid={ItemId}&Snapshot=1 | 0x0 | 0x1 | FileType | xlsb | 256 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|