District Digest News Stories

Gillespie named December 2014 employee of the Month

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published Feb. 5, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2014) – Jennifer Gillespie, a realty assistant, Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for December 2014.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2014) – Jennifer Gillespie, a realty assistant, Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for December 2014.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2014) – Jennifer Gillespie, a realty assistant, Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for December 2014.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2014) – Jennifer Gillespie, a realty assistant, Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for December 2014.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 5, 2014) – Jennifer Gillespie, a realty assistant, Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for December 2014.

Gillespie is being recognized for her significant contributions to the real estate division and diligent work with the Old Hickory Lake Project.  She worked with the Natural Resources Management Branch and the Finance Center to refund, terminate and/or reissue approximately 60 shoreline licenses for water withdrawals on Old Hickory Lake.

“She is an invaluable asset to our office and we are glad that she is a member of our team,” said Mike Abernathy, chief, Real Estate Nashville District.

According to Abernathy, in just months of working in the real estate office, Gillespie has gained an incredible amount of knowledge about regulations, policies and procedures and has shouldered the significant workload of the shoreline licensing program with a positive "can do" attitude.

 

Gillespie began working at Nashville District three years ago in the Human Resources office as a human resources specialist and the office moved to Louisville leaving her seeking another position.

 

Abernathy said Gillespie encourages the team by her work ethic and possesses a wealth of administration knowledge and functions that she exercises on a daily basis to continually improve our processes.

 

“She has exceeded all our expectations in the realty office,” said Abernathy.  “We are really very fortunate to have her working here.

 
Jennifer is a true professional, who is helpful, motivated and dedicated to meeting the needs of those she serves and we appreciate her,” said Cathy Keith, a realty specialist and cathography lead in the Real Estate Division.

 

“She is most deserving for this award because of the extra effort she puts forth to her job, most frequently exceeding the requirements of her position,” Keith said.

Abernathy said her patience and willingness to be of assistance to anyone at any time shows her dedication to her profession and the personnel at the Nashville District.

 

Gillespie said was surprised by the award, and she feels blessed to know someone appreciates the work she does.  She credits her Real Estate coworkers for support and motivation.

 “I am thrilled about working as a realty assistant for the Management and Disposal Branch and the direction the Corps is going,” said Gillespie. “One of the best things about working for the Corps is, being able to work hard, serve the public, and meeting some great people.”

 

Gillespie thinks working as a realty assistant is special because she enjoys working with rangers and staff at various resource offices around the district, learning history, learning operation procedures and embraces every opportunity to learn more about what people do.

 

Abernathy said her organizational skills, positive attitude and work ethic were instrumental in effectively resolving this task.  She contacted landowners, wrote correspondence and meticulously kept track of each license and the status by creating and continually updating spreadsheets. 

 
Gillespie said real estate work is both interesting and rewarding, but is not the only thing that motivates her.
 
Gillespie has served 21 years in the U.S. Army and retired in 2008. She graduated college in 2011 and said her husband and children keep her grounded and motivated.

“Family is priority number one,” said Gillespie.  “I love doing my job, doing the best I can and I believe accolades will come,” said Gillespie.  “I will admit, it takes a team because my job could not be done without the help of the rangers at the Old Hickory Resource Office,” she said.

 
Ashley Klimaszewski, chief, Management and Disposal Branch, Real Estate Division, said Gillespie is a well-rounded and model employee who is dedicated to contributing to the team.

 
“Everyone loves working with her, because of her positive attitude and personality, said Klimaszewski. “Some of her best qualities are that she is kind, caring, well organized and a team player that directly contributes to our success in the district,” she added.

Gillespie 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.


Gillespie’s hobbies include scrapbooking, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, watching sports and spending time with family.

Lt. Col. John L. Hudson, Nashville District Commander said Gillespie’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 Real Estate Division and the Nashville District.
 
“Her outstanding performance along with her great attitude for service significantly contributes to another successful job by the Nashville District Real Estate team and contributes to the mission of the district,” said Hudson.

 
For more news, updates and information please follow the Nashville District on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps. The public can also follow Dale Hollow Lake on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dalehollowlake.