The Voice - March 2021 Edition

MARCH 2021

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The Voice THE OFFICIAL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER OF JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT

What's New JAXSTRONG HOSTS VIRTUAL ENGINEERING CAREER DAY JAXSTRONG WOMEN "FIRSTS"

CELEBRATE SUCESS AND MORE!

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JaxStrong hosts virtual Engineering Career Day for aspiring future engineers Story by Amanda Parker, Corporate Communications Office

Jacksonville District hosted its 19th annual Engineering Career Day event February 26. This year's event was incredibly unique, as it was the first virtual career day event hosted by the district.

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COVID-19 restrictions did not deter students and schools from participating.

Overall, it was a resounding success thanks to Engineering Division team members' incredible efforts and the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) who hosted the event.

The theme for the event was "Finding Balance." Engineering Career Day is held each year during the nationally recognized Engineering Week.

The week promotes recognition among parents, teachers, and students of the importance of technical education and a high level of math, science, and technology literacy. It motivates youth to pursue engineering careers to provide a diverse and vigorous engineering workforce.

Six schools and 13 teams participated in a take-home challenge to design a gyroscope. Judges tested the projects by assessing the amount of time the gyroscopes rotated and the aesthetics of the project.

Teams also completed a surprise problem to build and load a tower made of spaghetti and marshmallows.

PICTURED LEFT: Creekside - Team 9 students present their take-home challenge, a gyroscope they designed.

Judges tested the projects by assessing the amount of time the gyroscopes rotated and the project's aesthetics.

(USACE photo).

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Dr. Brittany Bruder, a coastal research engineer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory Field Research Facility in Duck, NC, was the keynote speaker for the event. Col. Drew Kelly made a special appearance live from Herbert Hoover Dike.

An awards ceremony celebrated the winners of the take-home challenge and surprise problem.

Take-Home Problem Winners: 1st place: Team 8 - Creekside A; 2nd place: Team 13 - Classical Conversations Homeschool Group; 3rd place: Team 11 - Bishop Kenny A Surprise Problem Winners: 1st place: Creekside B; 2nd place: Team 11 - Bishop Kenny A; 3rd place: Team 4 - Fletcher A Overall Winner: James Garland Award for Engineering Excellence: 1st place: Team 8 - Creekside Team A; 2nd place: Team 11 - Bishop Kenny Team A; 3rd: Team 13 Classical Conversations Homeschool Aesthetics Winner: Team 7 – Eagles View Team B

PICTURED: Lt. Col. Joe Sahl and Col. Drew Kelly welcome students and faculty to first virtual Engineering Career Day via WebEx (USACE Photo).

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PICTURED TOP: Creekside Team 8 students gather at Jacksonville District's virtual Engineering Career Day. (USACE photo) BOTTOM LEFT: Bishop Kenny Team #11 presents their take-home challenge project to judges during Engineering Career Day. (USACE photo) BOTTOM RIGHT: Chief, Engineering Division Laureen Borochaner greets participants at virtual Engineering Career Day. (USACE photo)

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JaxStrong women break barriers and experience "firsts" in their fields During this Women's History Month, JaxStrong features women from across the district who have experienced "firsts" as females. These women have broken barriers in their professional career fields, as well as their personal lives.

Jacqueline “Jaci” Verwers has been with USACE for 18-years. Verwers began her career with the USACE as an office worker but was encouraged by a supervisor at the time to try a lock and dam operator career.

After an assignment in Afghanistan, Verwers accepted the challenge to become a lock & dam operator at W.P. Franklin in 2014. Verwers is the first female in South Florida certified in the Inland Marine Transportation System.

The Inland Marine Transportation System (IMTS) is a critical component in the nation’s ability to remain competitive in the global economy.

IMTS reliability is the most important requirement that enables American business and industry to competitively participate in global trade.

PICTURED: Jacqueline Verwers at W.P. Franklin Lock & Dam operator in Fort Myers, Fla. She ensures the river flow on the west-side of the lake along the Caloosahatchee River.

Verwers is the first female certified in South Florida in the Inland Marine Tranportation System. (USACE photo)

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However, Verwers favorite part of the job is helping boaters.

“I enjoy talking and helping first-time boaters lock-through safely. Many have never been through the lock and have never been through a concrete structure before,” said Verwers.

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District Counsel Elizabeth "Beth" Vavrica was the first female assistant coach for the Jacksonville Cannons, a team in the (semi-professional) American Ultimate Disc League.

Vavrica had a lot of experience captaining women’s and Ultimate coed teams, but it was a different challenge to be a coach of an all-male team at that high level.

Vavrica coached for three seasons, contributing to recruiting, team selection, fitness plans, practices, and coaching for games from Texas to North Carolina.

She focused on building relationships and combining the strengths of individual players.

"Working with diverse teammates in highpressure, competitive situations tested and shaped my leadership in new ways," says Vavrica.

"When I was coaching, there were a handful of female assistant coaches on other teams, and since then, there have been at least two female head coaches. " "I really enjoyed the challenge and unique opportunity to contribute to a sport I love."

PICTURED: Beth Vavrica serves as the Jacksonville Cannons first female assistant coach in 2015. (Photo courtesy of Beth Vavrica)

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A great leader is one who follows Story by Maya Jordan, Corporate Communications Office

“One of the greatest talents of all is the talent to recognize and to develop talent in others.” – Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.) Pictured Left: Tiphanie Mattis

February celebrated and highlighted African-Americans' successful accomplishments past, future, and present. In this issue, we spotlight Tiphanie Mattis, project manager in Programs and Project Management's Water Resources Branch.

“I have been in this department for the past year and a half,” said Mattis.

She works on coastal navigation projects that include placement of beach quality materials onto beaches and dredging operations in Broward County and St. Lucie County.

Her fascination with the STEM field sparked as a high school student in the 9th grade in Savannah, Ga. At the time, Mattis’s childhood pastor Andrew Patterson was also a professional civil engineer. “I mentioned to him that I wanted to learn more about engineering,” Mattis said.

With her pastor's mentorship, Mattis was selected to participate in the high school industry-mentorship program at his job.This opportunity led Mattis to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Fla., where she majored in civil engineering.

During her college years, Mattis recalls being a double-minority in the competitive field.

“It’s a male-dominated field, and it’s up to me to make sure I reach back to show other African-American females that are interested in the field that they too can be successful engineers,” said Mattis.

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Career Beginnings

James Vearil and workforce specialist Joyce Fortenberry worked with university career centers statewide to provide students STEM positions at the district, and Mattis took advantage of the opportunity. Mattis began her career at the Jacksonville District in January 1993 as a co-op student while in her junior year at FAMU. “I’m approaching 28 years of federal service, which is a very long time,” she said.

Mattis worked in several divisions throughout her career, including the Hydrology and Hydraulics Branch within Engineering Division, Plan Formulation Branch within Planning Division, and Ecosystem Branch.

While in Hydrology and Hydraulics Branch, she had the opportunity to oversee and coordinate the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control System's daily operations and author the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan first operations plan, Indian River Lagoon South Project.

As a plan formulator, she led an interdisciplinary team to identify study problems, analyze potential alternatives, and compile and evaluate environmental and engineering data, resulting in a recommended solution for Congressional approval.

The majority of her career is now in the Programs and Project Management Division. Previously, she served in the Ecosystem Restoration Branch as a Senior project manager for ten years.

With a desire to challenge herself, she saw a potential opportunity in the Water Resources Branch and took full advantage of it.

Propelled Forward

One of her most rewarding experiences was working at the Japan District. With four months in Japan, Mattis worked in Programs and Project Management.

“Working for the Corps allows one the opportunity to work all over the world if they desire,” said Mattis.

Additionally, Mattis was apart of the dynamic South Atlantic Division Leadership Development Program (LDP) in 2008-2009.

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As a participant in the LDP, Mattis visited other districts to learn about their projects. Her experiences allowed her to challenge herself and exhibit leadership traits such as problem-solving, purpose-driven, active listening, and working as a team player.

For Mattis, her career brought her back to her humble beginnings in Savannah, Ga. She served on another rotational assignment at the Savannah District, working military construction projects at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning, GA. Although Mattis had never worked in the Construction Division, she wanted to experience something new. “I enjoy working with a diverse group of professional engineers, biologists, contract specialists, and real estate entities,” she said.

Mattis explained, she enjoys working on projects as no one day is not identical to the next.

Moreover, she appreciates helping counties and municipalities accomplish civil works projects. “I try to be a fair, helpful leader, [one] who follows and still learns from others," Mattis said.“I ask questions. I think that’s important of any leader, and it's how you learn.”

Women's History Month Observance Event: Let's play Jeopardy!

EEO will host a virtual event for Women's History Month on Friday, March 26 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. and it includes a game of Jeopardy. Are you skilled at trivia? EEO is seeking teams of five to participate in the event.

Gather your friends together and compete for Jeopardy champion bragging rights!

Interested teams should contact Tracy Aristide by March 19 to participate.

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Celebrate Success: Gray named Chief Counsel's E. Manning Seltzer Award recipient SAJ Attorney Rachel Gray was recognized

by USACE Chief Counsel as the recipient of the Chief's Counsel's E. Manning Seltzer Award for Special Contributions. .

Rachel was recognized for her outstanding legal support to civil works projects, including the complex Central Everglades Planning Projects, Port Everglades Navigation Improvement Project, and the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule.

She also provided exceptional legal advice to Regulatory Division, including the permit for the South Pasture Extension Phosphate Mine that was ultimately upheld by the Eleventh Circuit. Rachel embodies all of the Army values, but especially demonstrates leadership, duty, and selfless service.

Named after the Chief Legal Advisor to the Chief of Engineers and General Counsel of the Corps from 1956 to 1977, the E. Manning Seltzer Award recognizes an attorney who has made one or more special contributions to the Corps legal service mission through the development of a legal theory, a legal management innovation or practice, or outstanding performance in solving a legal or management problem.

Congratulations to Rachel on this prestigious and well-deserved recognition.

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A day off turns to day of service for JaxStrong employees

by Nakeir Nobles, Corporate Communications Office

Spurred by district leadership encouragement to get involved and years of shame for not participating, Eve Huggins's usual Martin Luther King Day holiday turned from a day off into a day of service in 2020.

Last year, with the district’s executive office's support, Huggins coordinated with the Sulzbacher Center to help provide breakfast at its Adams Street homeless shelter.

Nearly 15 JaxStrong employees participated and were at the shelter at 6 a.m. to do whatever was asked of them.

For 2021, Huggins said, "I signed up us early so we wouldn’t have to rise and shine in the wee hours of the morning as Sulzbacher doesn’t have an onsite volunteer program."

With the early sign-up and the completion of the required Sulzbacher training, Huggins was ready to lead another volunteer team. But as fate would have it, two events halted her participation. A family member became critically ill, which required Huggins to have to find someone to continue what she began.

And due to COVID-19, the center closed its onsite volunteer opportunity causing Huggins to find an alternative to the in-person, onsite volunteer experience.

“At the last minute, my boss Kelly Unger stepped in. She got the necessary training, screening and followed the commitment I made. She is great,” Huggins said. “And Sulzbacher suggested an alternative – a donation drive for certain goods.”

“So Kelly and I set up a collection box in her office,” Huggins said.

Employees were provided with a list of needed items and could donate as they desired.

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Huggins and Unger plan to deliver the collected items to the center on behalf of the Jacksonville District.

The I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless opened in December 1995 in response to the explosion of crisis homelessness in the nineties both in Jacksonville and nationwide.

Founded on the premise that homeless persons need and deserve more than a meal and a bed to end homelessness, it provides opportunities to men, women, and children in Duval County through housing, health, and financial services to restore hope and self-sufficiency.

PICTURED LEFT: Employees bring in donated items for the Sulzbacher Center. who donates them to the homeless population.

The Sulzbacher Center opened its doors in 1995 in response to the crisis of homelessness in Jacksonville.

It provides opportunities for homeless men, women and children to achieve a better life.

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