District Digest News Stories

Korthals named Nashville District Employee of the Month for February 2019

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published March 28, 2019
Updated: March 28, 2019
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 26, 2019) – Kate Korthals, engineering and computer aided drafting technician in the Soils and Dam Safety Branch in the Engineering and Construction Division, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Employee of the Month for February 2019.

Kate Korthals, engineering and computer aided drafting technician in the Soils and Dam Safety Branch in the Engineering and Construction Division, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Employee of the Month for February 2019.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 26, 2019) – Kate Korthals, engineering and computer aided drafting technician in the Soils and Dam Safety Branch in the Engineering and Construction Division, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Employee of the Month for February 2019.

Kate Korthals, engineering and computer aided drafting technician in the Soils and Dam Safety Branch in the Engineering and Construction Division, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Employee of the Month for February 2019.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 26, 2019) – Kate Korthals, engineering and computer aided drafting technician in the Soils and Dam Safety Branch in the Engineering and Construction Division, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Employee of the Month for February 2019.

Korthals is being recognized for her significant contributions in preparing multiple plan sheets, profiles, typical section sheets, arch culvert details and existing utility protection details that provided the value engineer team a clear snapshot for project development of the Sevenmile Creek flood risk reduction project.

Her work had a significant impact on the way the value engineer proposal's impact is conveyed. Korthals' revolutionary 3D concept models have been incorporated into more advanced 3D hydrology and hydraulic modeling and are now used for generating final drawings for construction. 

According to Brad Long, chief of Geotechnical, Dam /Levee Safety Section, she is a critical contributor and major facilitator to the Sevenmile Creek Value Engineering Study, and project development.  He said Korthals has a contagious "get it done" attitude while taking on additional workload assignments and opportunities for improvement in the district's design and computer aided drafting processes. 

“She is an invaluable asset to our office and we are glad that she is a member of our team,” Long said.

According to Long, Korthals has gained an incredible amount of knowledge in less than two years and is a highly motivated, independent self-starter who never passes an opportunity to mentor fellow employees.    

Korthals joined the Nashville District in September 2017 from the Bureau of Reclamation in Boise, Idaho, and shares her experience with co-workers. 

“Kate is a true professional, who is caring, helpful, motivated and dedicated to meeting the needs of those she serves and we appreciate her,” said Jessica Hinton, geologist in the Engineering and Construction Division. “She is most deserving for this award because of the extra effort she puts forth to her job.” 

Long added that her patience and willingness to be of assistance is a testament when she recently took a lead role in preparing multiple drawings needed to make critical decisions for the Sevenmile Creek project while simultaneously assuming a large role in preparing drawing packages for the Sacramento District recently to help with execution of their workload under the supplemental funding program.

“She is our go to person and has truly exceeded all our expectations in the office,” Long noted.  “We are really very fortunate to have her working here.”

Korthals said she was surprised by the award, and is happy to know someone appreciates the work she does.  She credits her coworkers in the Engineering and Construction Division Hydrology and Hydraulics, Civil Design, Geology, Engineering and Environmental Services and Construction for their support.

“I am very happy about working with this group and it allows me to be creative,” said Korthals. “One of the best things about working for the Corps of Engineers is going on site visits, which allows a firsthand knowledge that cannot be achieved by looking at an aerial image.”

She said it’s rewarding to later go back to visit the site during construction or after its completion to see how the project has progressed and come to life.

Jonathan Truelove, Senior Geo-technical engineer in the Soils and Dam Safety Branch in the Engineering and Construction Division, said Korthals is a well-rounded and model employee who is dedicated to contributing to the team.

 “We love the work that Kate does, because she’s focused, driven, creative, and always has a positive attitude and great personality,” Truelove said. “Some of her best qualities are that she is caring, well organized and definitely a team player.”

Korthals said she knows there are many people that work hard, care about their project, take pride in their job and equally deserve to be honored and recognized. Nonetheless, she said that she is happy to be recognized.

Maj. Justin Toole, Nashville District deputy commander, said Korthal’s work ethic, initiative, team player mentality and a constant desire to learn and be challenged at work makes her a valuable asset to the Engineering and Construction Division and the Nashville District.
 
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