NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 6, 2018) – Johanna Anderson, assistant district counsel at the district office, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for October 2018.
Anderson is the newest member of the Office of Counsel, serves an Assistant District Counsel and is being recognized for her significant contributions by performed above the level and workload expected at her grade while her office had two vacancies and two employees away completing two-month temporary assignments.
Anderson has been with the Corps since September 2017 and credits much of her success to the great people she works with.
“Johanna is an invaluable addition to the Office of Counsel, and we are glad she chose to join the Nashville Office of Counsel team." said James L. Roth, chief, District Counsel, Nashville District.
According to Roth, in a short time, working in the office of counsel, Anderson has gained an incredible amount of knowledge and provides legal advice, interpretations, and determinations on matters involving Corps of Engineers programs and missions. She also provides legal research on a variety of complex and difficult legal matters to include procurement law, environmental law, litigation, and legislation with a positive "can do" attitude.
Anderson said was surprised by the award, and she feels blessed to know that her work is appreciated, she credits her office of counsel coworkers and especially Bonnie Jagoditz, for mentorship, support and motivation.
“I am thrilled about working as an assistant district counsel and having the opportunity to learn and improve," said Anderson. “One of the best things about working for the Corps is, being able to serve the public, and meeting great people," said Anderson.
Roth said Anderson assisted in the awarding of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) contract, which had five headquarters-tracked milestones attached to it. She specifically, took on review of Regulatory matters, including review of Mitigation Banking documents and researched and prepared a critical real estate takings analysis for the Seven-Mile CAP project.
“Johanna is a true professional, who is helpful, smart, kind, motivated and dedicated to meeting the needs of those she serves and we appreciate her," said Renee Mach, a paralegal specialist, in the Office of Counsel.
Mach said, Anderson is the person that enjoys her work and puts a lot of thought and effort into her work product.
“She is most deserving for this award because we can give her anything and she dives right in and gets it done," said Mach. “She is a very detailed orientated person and enjoys the work she does for the Corps.
Roth said Anderson displays organizational skills, dedication and knowledge that exceeds what would normally be expected of an employee in their first year with the Corps.
She was recently selected as the first attorney in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for the Chief Counsel's Inaugural Enterprise Fellowship179-day developmental assignment. She will represent the Nashville District and the entire enterprise at Headquarters where she will have the opportunity to work on nationally significant litigation.
Roth said, the prestigious program provides developmental opportunities for newer attorneys, which will benefit their home stations, broaden their experience, and further their career goals. The Fellowship will provide the selected attorneys with challenging work experience and a broader perspective on both the lawyer's role in the USACE mission and the legal services community of practice.
“Family is priority number one," said Anderson. “I love doing my job, doing the best I can and I believe accolades will come."
Anderson said she knows there are many people that work hard, care about what they do, take pride in their job and equally deserve to be honored.
She is a native of Scottsdale, Ariz., and earned her undergrad degree from Marquette University and Law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Anderson's hobbies reading, watching at documentaries, traveling, visiting exciting places and spending time with family, friends and her dog Theodore.
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.