Where do you work? I work at Success Lake near Porterville, Calif., in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Success Lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District.

How long have you worked for the Corps? I have been with the Corps since January 2001. I started working for the Corps at Black Butte Lake as a student park ranger in the student career employment program. I then took a permanent park ranger position at New Hogan Lake, and later transferred to Hensley Lake. After that I worked as the area park ranger in the Southern Area Office of the Sacramento District, then moved over to Success Lake.

What is your job? What do you do?   As of May 24, 2009, I’m the park manager at Success Lake and Isabella Dams. I am responsible for overseeing the daily recreation area and dam operations at both projects, as well as supervising a staff of 18 to 24 employees.

How do you see your job making a difference and contributing to the Corps’ success? In my current position, I have the opportunity to work with the local community and share the Corps story on a regular basis. We are also working to modernize the campground and day-use facilities, like boat launches. Visitors enjoy coming to Success Lake year after year and I would like to ensure that Success Lake remains a favorite recreation destination.

What do you like best about your job?  The best thing about my job is the people I get to work with. Our staff is dedicated to accomplishing our mission and the local community is very involved with the USACE activities at Success Lake and Isabella Dams. Each day presents new and unique opportunities to work on a wide variety of projects from dam safety to renovating recreation facilities. I enjoy being able to help provide our visitors with safe and enjoyable areas to recreate, as well as helping to provide flood protection to local communities.