District Digest News Stories

Coleman named Nashville District December 2015 Employee of the Month

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published Jan. 29, 2016
Paula Coleman, value engineering officer, in the Engineering and Construction Branch, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District employee of the month for December 2015.

Paula Coleman, value engineering officer, in the Engineering and Construction Branch, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District employee of the month for December 2015.

Paula Coleman, value engineering officer, in the Engineering and Construction Branch, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District employee of the month for December 2015.

Paula Coleman, value engineering officer, in the Engineering and Construction Branch, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District employee of the month for December 2015.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 29, 2015) – Paula Coleman, value engineering officer in the Engineering and Construction Branch, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District employee of the month for December 2015.

Coleman is responsible for ensuring value engineering reviews for each project, completing quarterly and annual reports, and coordinating and tracking training to facilitate continued VE studies.  The VE reviews basically serve to help the Corps get the best value and best quality goods and services for construction projects.

“Paula is recognized for her significant contributions as the value engineering officer and her untiring efforts across numerous projects have resulted in significant savings in both time and money for both the Corps and the Nation,” said Lt. Col. Stephen F. Murphy, Nashville District commander.

“I enjoy my job, working with people and sharing information that helps the district,” said Coleman.  “I share this award with many; it’s very much a team effort.”

Coleman began working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2001 and said that she enjoys learning various jobs, working with multiple groups on special projects, and working with others to reach one common goal.      

“My goal is always to be successful, which leads to success for our overall team and produces great results in the end,” said Coleman.  “My job as a value engineer is to help bring great minds together to get positive results.” 

Murphy said Coleman’s leadership during the VE study for the entire Center Hill Dam project resulted in a combined cost avoidance and savings of $54.2 million dollars with a total cost of construction project savings of approximately 21 percent.

“This is a phenomenal statistic that speaks to the value of these processes and the incredible dedication and talent of the Corps teams involved,” said Murphy.

Murphy said Coleman’s contributions resulted in district leadership selecting the Center Hill VE study in November as its nomination for the Great Lakes and Ohio Division’s selection for the Office of the Secretary of Defense 2015 Value Engineering Project of the Year Award. 

So significant were the savings and results, it was selected as the Great Lakes and Ohio Division submission to Headquarters USACE as the overall winner by the Value Engineering Advisory Council. 

Cullum Miller, civil cost engineer in the Engineering and Environmental Services Branch, said Coleman is a team player, hard worker, and is a smart professional who is always willing to try new ideas to help the team.  Miller said Coleman is dedicated to helping and exceeding the needs of her co-workers and those she serves around the district.

“Paula is a team player who knows her job, does it well and one of her best qualities is that she brings a lot of people to the table to reach one common goal,” said Miller.  “She always looks to improve the process and continues to play a big role in our success in the district.”  

“I’m surrounded by great people that have passion for their jobs and care about what they do,” said Coleman.

Coleman said that one of the keys to her success was being able to readily adapt to changes in new processes, being patient, and staying consistent.

Don Getty, project manager in the Planning, Programs and Project Management Branch, said Coleman puts in a lot of time and extra effort that exceed the requirements of her position.

“I always apply a litmus test, to our Corps process to benefit the cost,” said Getty. “However it has been my experience that our value engineer effort under Paula’s tutorage, the benefits have always exceeded the cost.”

Coleman and her husband Bill have a daughter, Abbey, 17.  She is a very active soccer mom and loves attending soccer games at Nissan Stadium with Abbey.  She loves decorating, gardening and working outdoors. Her hobbies include being an avid Pittsburgh Steeler fan and bargain shopping.

(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.)