District Digest News Stories

Nashville District names Turner employee of the month for Aug. 2015

Nashville Public Affairs
Published Oct. 5, 2015
Heather Turner, contracting specialist for the Nashville District, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District’s Employee of the Month for August 2015.

Heather Turner, contracting specialist for the Nashville District, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District’s Employee of the Month for August 2015.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 5, 2015) – Heather Turner, a contracting specialist with the District Contracting Office, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District employee of the month for August 2015.

Turner is recognized for her significant contributions and demonstrated professionalism in the field of contracting and she was instrumental in rallying the Center Hill Roller Compacted Concrete Berm Project Development Team to gain approval, from the Principle Acquisition Contracting  Representative.  Working on the Acquisition Plan she coordinated six separate rounds of answering comments and re-reviews during a period of 16 month period.

“Heather deserves this award because she is one of Contracting’s go-to people and one of the main reasons that the Nashville District contracting team is successful as it has been in this year’s fiscal closeout,” said Lt. Col. Stephen F. Murphy, Nashville District commander.

Murphy said, Turner’s energy, communication, and professionalism kept the Nashville District, the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, and PARC personnel involved, well-informed, and was critical to keeping this highly visible project moving forward.

“I really love my job, working with people and I count it a privilege to receive this award,” said Turner.  

Turner has worked for the Corps for 15 years beginning in 2000. She started her career as a Co-op student in the Huntington District and came to the Nashville District in 2012. 

Stacy Wiggins, a contracting specialist in the Contracting Office, said Turner trained her when she arrived and her work ethic and expertise makes the Contracting team better.

“She can work several projects at a time and can handle multiple issues at one time,” said Wiggins. “One of her best qualities is that she is well-organized and professional.

Turner said she does consider herself a perfectionist and always wants to improve her work through self improvement.  Last year she earned Contracting Officer status and credits her training to accomplishing the task.  

“She is most deserving (for this award) because she puts extra effort in her work and special tasks, in all cases exceeding the requirements of her position,” Wiggins said.

 

Turner said having patience while gaining more experience and working with a variety of people has contributed to her success as a contract specialist.

“Making the contracting awards come together is a great sense of accomplishment,” said Turner.  “It is important for us to continue to reach goals for the District and to function well. I’m happy.”

Murphy said her competence, and ability to effectively communicate with numerous levels of management kept this long-delayed but very important project moving forward to award.

“Her outstanding performance along with her ‘team player’ outlook significantly contributed to a successful year-end execution and ultimately the mission of the district,” said Murphy.

 

Turner is a native of Huntington, W.Va., and has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Marshall University in Huntington. 

Turner and her husband Phillip have a one-year-old son Abram.  They love spending time with family and friends.  Her hobbies include walking, reading, and watching great movies.

(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. The public can view photos from the Nashville District on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/nashvillecorps and videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/armyenginrsnashville.)