District Digest News Stories

Neely named October 2014 employee of the month

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published Dec. 11, 2014
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer employee Jeff Neely, Lock and Dam operator at the Kentucky Lock is the Nashville district employee of the month for October 2014. Neely is recognized for is quick actions on the night of Oct. 21, 2014, when the Motor Vessel Tennessee Hunter, a tow boat from Nashville, called the Kentucky Lock for assistance when a deckhand onboard began experiencing serious medical problems.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer employee Jeff Neely, Lock and Dam operator at the Kentucky Lock is the Nashville district employee of the month for October 2014. Neely is recognized for is quick actions on the night of Oct. 21, 2014, when the Motor Vessel Tennessee Hunter, a tow boat from Nashville, called the Kentucky Lock for assistance when a deckhand onboard began experiencing serious medical problems.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer employee Jeff Neely, Lock and Dam operator at the Kentucky Lock is the Nashville district employee of the month for October 2014.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer employee Jeff Neely, Lock and Dam operator at the Kentucky Lock is the Nashville district employee of the month for October 2014.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 11, 2014) – U.S. Army Corps of Engineer employee Jeff Neely, Lock and Dam operator at the Kentucky Lock is the Nashville district employee of the month for October 2014.

Lt. Col. John L. Hudson, Nashville District commander, commended Neely for his strong professional work ethic and his quick thinking while on the job Neely helped save an ill deckhand onboard a tow boat.

Neely is commended for his safe work practices, timely lockages of craft navigating the lock, and consistent support to the maintenance staff at Kentucky Lock. 

Neely is recognized for is quick actions on the night of Oct. 21, 2014, when the Motor Vessel Tennessee Hunter, a tow boat from Nashville, called the Kentucky Lock for assistance when a deckhand onboard began experiencing serious medical problems.

Neely, the on-duty operator, quickly responded and coordinated with the local emergency medical staff to get the proper medical attention during the early morning hours.  Authorities said without Neely’s proper handling of this situation the deckhand’s condition could have turned out far worse.

“I would have wanted someone to do the same for me,” said Neely.  “It was an awesome feeling to know that I did my job and by doing it helped save someone’s life,” said he added.  

Caleb Skinner, lock master at Kentucky Lock and Neely’s supervisor, said Neely is well deserving of the employee of the month award and his attention to detail, excellence job performance and work ethic continuously gains the respect of his peers at the Lock.

“He likes this job, helping people, working for the Corps and it shows through his work,” said Skinner. “He is doing a great job and proving himself as a valuable member to the Nashville District team,” said Skinner.

Neely has worked for the Corps since August 2009 and credits much of his success to the good people he works alongside at the Kentucky Lock.  He enjoys working at the lock and his interaction between the leadership and employees at various locks, power plants and dams.

“Every day at the Corps is a good day and I appreciate my job,” said Neely.

“Sometimes our shifts are long but there is a great sense of pride in the work that employees here provide as public servants and I appreciate the opportunity to work in an environment which allows me to gain knowledge and meet people,” Neely.

“Jeff is just fun to work with, to be around and is a valuable asset to our team,” said Skinner.

In his off duty time Neely loves to spend it with family and friends. His hobbies include watching movies with family, taking his six-month year old son outdoors, and working at his church.  Neely is married to Shanna and they have a son, Daniel. 

Hudson said Neely is a highly productive team player that produces the desired results necessary to successfully execute time sensitive and mission critical actions.

“Neely’s professionalism, dedication to mission execution, and superior performance is a credit to the Nashville District, the region, and the Corps of Engineers,” said Hudson.

The Motor Vessel Tennessee Hunter, was so impressed with Jeff's quick handling of the emergency situation that the tow boat captain called the lock and thanked Neely for his quick action in helping their crew mate.

Neely admits to calling and looking into the crew mate’s situation. He has since recovered and is back at work.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.