NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 26, 2013) – Bill Walker, instrumentation program manager in the Dam Safety Group for the Nashville District, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Employee of the Month for February 2013.
Walker is recognized for establishing a recruitment and selection strategy to fill eight term positions to perform instrumentation reading and recording responsibilities 24/7 at the district’s two Dam Safety Action Classification 1 dams, Wolf Creek and Center Hill. Timing was critical as the stand up of these positions occurred during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Leading from the front, Walker recruited and trained team members from the Design and Construction Branches and joined them in reading instruments to fill the gaps during the holidays, according to Emily G. Carr, chief of the Nashville District’s Soils and Dam Safety Section.
“I have a very interesting position, working with most everyone from power plant superintendants to park rangers, and it is rewarding,” Walker said.
Currently, automatic instrument readings occur every 15 minutes at Wolf Creek and Center Hill Dams and are transmitted hourly. “This allows us to monitor any slight movement within the structure, water levels and seepage,” Walker said. “Data from our other district dams are transmitted weekly,” he added.
"Bill's impact on our Dam Safety Instrumentation Program has been incredible. He takes a proactive approach to everything he does, including researching new technology, learning the ins and outs of complex instrumentation systems, and managing the instrumentation at our dams,” Carr said.
“He came to the Corps four and one-half years ago as a new college graduate with a masters degree in Geological Engineering, and is already recognized nationally within USACE for his expertise on instrumentation systems," Carr added.
Through Walker’s leadership and determination, all positions have been filled and no lapse in coverage occurred during the establishment of the Instrumentation Team.
“Walker’s professionalism, dedication to mission execution and superior performance is a credit to the Nashville District, the region and the Corps of Engineers,” said Lt. Col. James A. DeLapp, district commander.