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.
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and videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/armyenginrsnashville.)