NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Matthew Granstaff, biologist in the Project Planning Branch, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Employee of the Month for November 2014.
Granstaff is being recognized for his significant contributions in preparing the Mill Creek Flood Risk Reduction Report. According to Lt. Col. John L. Hudson, Nashville District commander, he was instrumental in producing the entire report, meeting a tight deadline, preparing the environmental portions and posting the report.
“Matt is an exceptional versatile employee who is willing to take on any assigned role with new challenges and makes the Nashville team better,” Hudson said.
Granstaff prepared the entire report, even making hundreds of pages compliant as required by the Section 508 of the American Disabilities Act. The act requires government websites to meet the needs of people with disabilities such as the blind and deaf by properly formatting report text, tables, and figure captions for readability for the public.
He said the award surprised him, but it is great those around him recognize the hard work associated with preparing such a large report.
“I enjoy my job, like working with the people in the project planning branch and truly feel very humbled and thankful for receiving this award,” said Granstaff.
On top of his regular duties, Granstaff assisted in the physical preparation of several report hard copies for the district’s chain of command. In November, he also prepared a draft environmental assessment addressing future Corps construction on National Park Service lands at the Big South Fork National Recreation Area.
Mary Lewis, a biologist and co-worker in the Project Planning Branch, has known Granstaff since college at Tennessee Technological University, and she said he is very deserving of the award.
“Matt is an exceptional team player and is most deserving because of the tremendous effort he puts in his job,” said Lewis.
Granstaff came to work for the Corps in September 2010 through the Department of the Army Intern Program.
Tim Higgs, chief of environmental section in the Project Planning Branch, said Granstaff deserves the award because he demonstrates versatility in serving a variety of roles in the section.
“He is an awesome team player, his attention-to-detail and focus are strong points,” said Higgs.
Higgs added that Granstaff received complements from the NPS on the quality of the document and reports. His work with Geographic Information System evaluations, developing the real estate SharePoint sites to better track Environmental Cultural Determinations prior to Real Estate actions, performing jurisdiction determinations on stream and wetlands, conducting endangered bat habitat assessment or assisting with bridge surveys on flood risk reduction studies, all are a testament to his professionalism.
Granstaff is married to Emily and his hobbies include fishing, hunting, doing anything outdoors, and spending time with family.
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