NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 5, 2015) – Kathleen Parks, assistant district counsel with the District Office of Counsel, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District employee of the month for September 2015.
Parks is recognized for her significant contributions to the Office of Counsel by going above and beyond her normal responsibilities, taking on additional work advising on critical year-end contracting actions due to the extended absence of the senior procurement attorney.
“I really enjoy my job, and I’m am extremely honored to have been selected for this award by my colleagues,” said Parks.
Lt. Col. Stephen F. Murphy, Nashville District commander, said Parks is deserving of her award because she is one of the Office of Counsel’s go-to people and one of the main reasons that the team was as successful in this year’s fiscal closeout.
According to Murphy, with the absence of the contracting attorney, Parks stepped up and assumed responsibility for the Cordell Hull and Center Hill Operations and Maintenance contract source selections. She also advised on several high visibility real estate issues including the Rogers Group encroachment, the Floating Cabin policy, and the Rowena Marina Notice of Availability.
Murphy said Park’s hard work and talent also tracked Freedom of Information Act requests for the district with no backlog at the end of the fiscal year.
“One of her best qualities is that she is well-organized, professional and smart,” said Sharon Rader, a paralegal and co-worker in the Office of Counsel.
Murphy commended Parks for her critical legal reviews to the year-end award of contracts for Bristol 8th Street, Chickamauga Lock Cofferdam, and the Barkley Motor Control Cable upgrades.
“There is a real sense of teamwork among all of us and we have a great office staff with some very talented people,” said Parks.
Parks said she appreciates everyone for their support and declares that it’s that type of environment that has been instrumental in allowing her to develop professionally and personally.
“Kathleen stepped up during a time of labor shortage in our office during our critical year end period,” said Kathryn Firsching, assistant district counsel.
Firsching said Parks is a great asset to the Nashville District and her dedication to learning new duties in the office helps her exceed.
When the Nashville District Real Estate office had difficult, high profile issues, Parks spoke up, volunteered to help and provided sound legal advice. Firsching said Parks learned how to review contracts, solicitation, service contract approval requests, worked late and had a positive attitude throughout.
Parks began working for the Corps of Engineers in 2010 as an assistant district counsel. She came to USACE through the Office of the Chief Counsel's Honors Program after graduating from the College of William and Mary School of Law. Prior to law school she attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., where she majored in International Business and Political Science.
“My dad worked for the Corps of Engineers Memphis District Office of Counsel for 38 years and my family is very proud of him,” said Parks. “I have had the opportunity to be around USACE people my entire life.”
Parks said she followed in her dad’s footsteps when she changed majors in college.
“Following in his footsteps has been a very exciting experience for me,” said Parks.
She said working hard runs in her family and wants to always improve her work through self-improvement opportunities like learning new duties and tasks.
Parks and her husband Ryan enjoy participating in any outdoor activities, especially running, hiking and walking their dog Ginger.
Parks said lately the two have added nursery shopping to the mix as they are expecting their first child in April 2016.