District Digest News Stories

Keenum named Nashville District Employee of the Month for January 2019

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published March 13, 2019
Updated: March 13, 2019
Daniel Keenum, a Lock and Dam operator at the Wilson Lock, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for January 2019.

Daniel Keenum, a Lock and Dam operator at the Wilson Lock, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for January 2019.

Daniel Keenum, a Lock and Dam operator at the Wilson Lock, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for January 2019.

Daniel Keenum is a native of Florence and his hobbies include wood working, fishing, hiking, chasing his children at their sports activities and spending time with his wife Michelle.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. March 11, 2019.) – Daniel Keenum, a Lock and Dam operator at the Wilson Lock, is the Nashville District Employee of the Month for January 2019. 

Keenum is being recognized for his contributions as lock operator and volunteering to speak and explain Wilson Lock operations to the Civitan Club in Florence, Ala.

According to Gerald Choate, Wilson Lock Supervisor for the Nashville District, the club requested a presentation about Navigation operations on the Tennessee River.  With an extensive knowledge as a Lock Operator at Mid-Tennessee's Wilson Lock, the navigation history of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers mission, Keenum volunteered to brief the group.

“He really exceeded our expectations and this was an awesome achievement for Daniel,” said Choate.  He is a proven leader, team player and is most deserving of this award because of the tremendous effort he puts into work and helping others succeed.”

Keenum said he appreciates the award and is humbled.  He contributes to team effort.

“I love doing my job and people always tell me how lucky I am,  and I really believe it,” said Keenum.”

Keenum has been with the Corps team since 2003 and has had the opportunity to work at locks located on both the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers.  He also contributes much of his understanding of the Corps and District missions to a year-long deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan in 2010.

“Deploying for the Corps is great and it taught some great lessons about working with people,” said Keenum.   “I really learned the total mission of the Corps, had the opportunity to work with other employees from all over the world, and I even made a few friends.”

Lt. Col. Cullen Jones, Nashville District Commander said he commended Keenum for his work, commitment to excellence and for taking on the challenge to represent the district. 

"It’s really nice to be recognized for my work,” Keenum. He and credits much of his knowledge to the team at Wilson Lock for continuously providing him the with needed skills sets to be a Lock Operator.

Keenum is a native of Florence and attended Northwest Shoals Community College.  His hobbies include wood working, fishing, hiking, chasing his children at their sports activities and spending time with his wife Michelle. 

"My family keeps me going and is very important to me and I really enjoy every minute of it,” said Keenum.

Jones said Keenum is an exceptional versatile employee willing to take on new challenges and whose work contributes to the Nashville mission.

“I enjoy my job and interacting with other employees in the district,” said Keenum.  “It makes me feel honored to do this job because it is a team effort,” he said. 

“Keenum has proved to be a great ambassador of the Corps and his professionalism, dedication to mission execution and superior performance is a credit to the Nashville District, the region and the Corps of Engineers,” said Jones.

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