SpotlightSpotlightSpotlight ononon Barbara Morgan Procurement Analyst, Contracting Division thethethe DistrictDistrictDistrict Story by Mark Kane arb Morgan is steadily moving else. There were two incidents in our lives to coordinate the contracts and the cost towards her last days with the in which this has been very apparent. proposals. BRock Island District, but she has "In 1977 our house caught fire and the "People that might otherwise be anything other than a short-timer's Corps family was great to us," said unemployed and on welfare have jobs and attitude. Morgan. "And last summer my mother are developing marketable skills for Morgan started with the District in passed away and the support I received themselves that could possibly help to get 1976, in Programs and Project Manage- was just wonderful." them a job in the private industry," said ment. She initially began working with the In 1991, Morgan went above and Morgan. "It's overwhelming to see the Corps because of her first-hand knowl- beyond and began working with NISH, a accomplishments and strides that some of edge of the government them have made." through her husband, Jim The North Central Region Morgan, former lockmaster NISH office not only noticed (retired June 2, 1996), Locks the accomplishments of the and Dam 15. workers, but also noticed the She transferred to District force that helped to Contracting in 1984, where make it all happen. The non- she has been working as a profit organization recently procurement analyst ever awarded their President's Award since. Morgan's duties to Morgan in recognition of her entail writing reports and outstanding contributions to keeping up-to-date on the employment of people with regulations, as well as severe disabilities in their working as the division's regional program. alternate-systems analyst "I was so surprised to and credit-card coordinator. receive the award," said Photo by Jim Morgan Although Morgan started Barb Morgan poses for a keepsake photo during her and her Morgan. "I feel great because working with the District husband’s cruise to Alaska in May 2000. I'm such a believer in the because of her husband, program." now she has many other reasons why she non-profit organization that creates Morgan enjoys reading, traveling and likes her job, and those reasons are truly employment opportunities for people with spending time with her family. She and personal. severe disabilities. The collateral duty her husband, Jim, live in Andalusia, Ill. "I like dealing with people and most of enabled her to coordinate with the North They have two daughters, seven grand- them are pretty nice," said Morgan. "I like Central Region NISH office to get indi- children, and one great-grandson who's the feeling of being a part of a family. viduals to work in the District's mail room three-months-old. Everyone seems to care about everyone and in janitorial services. Morgan helped She and her husband have traveled to Alaska and more recently to Tahiti. They both have plans to travel much more and “Spotlight Someone You Know” specifically, "… get out of the cold The next District Spotlight employee job, setting a good example, or is just a weather in the winter," once Morgan could be working right beside you, and pleasure to work around, maybe it’s time retires. the only way you’ll see that person the District knew it. Her advice to anyone reading this here is if you let me know it. Ready to tell the rest of the District, article is for people to, "Enjoy life to the If you know then e-mail me at: fullest. You never know what lies ahead." someone who you [email protected] Morgan is scheduled to retire from the feel is doing a good Corps on Oct. 1. 2 Tower Times July 2001 Tower Times July 2001 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District Tower Times Vol. 23 No. 8 Contents July 2001 District Engineer Eyestrain Col. William J. Bayles 6 Editor Mark A. Kane Chief, Public Affairs Ron Fournier This newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the Tower Times are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Govern- ment, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the Rock Island District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is published monthly using offset press by the Public Affairs Office, Rock Island District, U.S. Corps Day 2001 Army Corps of Engineers, Clock Tower Building, Box 2004, Rock 8-9, 16 Island, IL 61204-2004. Phone (309) 794-5730. Circulation 1,500. The deadline for submitting articles for the Tower Times is the 7th of the preceding month. Send articles to Editor, Public Affairs On the Cover Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engi- neers, Clock Tower Building, P.O. Horologist, George Georgiadis, Box 2004, Rock Island, IL, 61204- Unique Jewelry, repairs the Clock 2004. Tower's 1867 Hotchkiss clock. The clock has been undergoing The Tower Times is printed repairs and improvements, and all on recycled paper. four clock faces should be running Ancient Fossils Revealed soon. On the web, in living color, at: Photo by Mark Kane. http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil 10-11 July 2001 Tower Times 3 After One Year: Success and Results By Col. William Bayles, District Engineer s I look back over my first year of You can be very proud of what you • Stretch the operations and mainte- serving with you, there are several have done over the past year. nance budget as much as you can. A strong impressions sticking in my Let me return to the flood fighting This not only involves Operations mind. efforts for just a moment. I join with Division employees, but the many First, is the dedication and profession- many others to salute the manner in which others who support Operations alism of the Corps' people. I am truly you serve our neighbors in the region. Division. Please do your best to make amazed at the things we can do, both When floodwaters rose, no one com- every dollar bring useful products to individually and collectively. Let me cite plained about longer hours or more work our customers. In this way, ensuring some examples: as we performed our emergency responsi- that our project managers can better bilities or prepared our facilities for serve our customers on the rivers and • Lock 15 continues to add to a 28-year flooding. reservoirs. perfect safety record. Our neighbors were grateful for our • Stay safe. A moment’s inattention can • The Mississippi River Project repair expertise and the flood-fighting materials lead to tragedy. As we move full crew pounded through the river ice we provided. Since that time, congress- swing into construction season and a with the repair fleet during New Years’ men from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri have busy navigation season, the potential week to assist St. Louis District with gone out of their way to thank the District for accidents increases. That doesn’t repairs at Mel Price Locks. for our service to their constituents. Now mean accidents have to increase. I • Engineering Division redesigned critical that the waters have receded, our Missis- expect you to keep your “head in the features of the Loves Park Flood sippi River Project crews still battle the game” and use protective equipment Protection Project to reduce the real floods' aftermath. — be safe. estate needs, thus helping the city Finally, I am challenged by the work resolve a real estate impasse that ahead of us. Here's where I ask for your The accomplishments I listed - and a threatened to delay the project. special efforts this summer: myriad others - belong to you. You • Collectively, we exceeded two of our made them happen. Years ago, Gen. three major program execution goals at • Keep projects slated for construction George Patton remarked, "Wars are the end of last year. this season on track — Gardner fought by armies, but they are won my • As a team, we served our neighbors Division, East Peoria Flood Control, men…" In a similar way, we face chal- during a major flood. Bellevue Streambank Protection, Lock lenges every day that are overcome by • Together, we won recognition from the 12 Rehabilitation — to name a few. people - the dedicated men and women Lincoln Foundation for Business On-time delivery is crucial to satisfied of the Rock Island District. Excellence. customers! 4 Tower Times July 2001 Corps Stresses Boating Safety Kevin Ewbank, Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, contributed to this article. iving in a country bordered by oceans and blessed Downstream Warning Systems - What's Working, and Boat- with abundant lakes and rivers, Americans have made Based Victim Recovery System. Lrecreational boating one of our nation's most popular He said some of the more exciting things he learned were pastimes. Each year, more than 74 million Americans take to the about new personal-floatation devices. water with family and friends to relax and enjoy the beauty of the "There is now a Type I automatic inflatable PFD that is U.S. natural world. Coast Guard approved for work conditions," said Ewbank. But each year, for too many Americans, boating ends in "Corps of Engineers Headquarters Safety Office knows about tragedy. Most boating-related injuries and deaths are the result them and has been asked if they would be authorized for Corps of human error and poor judgment caused, for example, by of Engineers wear. excessive speed, failure to follow safe navigation rules, and "There are also inflatable PFDs for kids that have been drinking or taking drugs while operating watercraft.