USACE Galveston District Spotlight on Kenneth Wilson

Courtesy Photo | Kenneth Wilson, a construction representative/ quality assurance evaluator with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District, works with a variety of federal and non-federal partners such as the Harris County Flood Control District to deliver long-term projects that minimize flood risks in Houston and protect against loss of life and property.  

GALVESTON, TX, UNITED STATES

10.01.2014

Story by Sandra Arnold 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District

GALVESTON, Texas – It’s been nearly a year since Kenneth Wilson accepted a position as a construction representative/ quality assurance evaluator with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District and though it hasn’t been long enough to see a flood risk management project through to completion, it has afforded him enough time to develop lasting partnerships to help deliver quality flood risk management oversight to Houston residents.

“I monitor the Contractor Quality Control Program and ensure compliance of the approved Site Safety and Health Plan on several job sites in the Houston area,” said Wilson. “I also monitor adherence to approved environmental protection and storm water pollution prevention plans to ensure work is in compliance with the plans, specifications and national standards.”

Wilson works with a variety of federal and non-federal partners such as the Harris County Flood Control District to deliver long-term projects that minimize flood risks in Houston and protect against loss of life and property.

As the lead construction representative on the Sims Bayou flood damage reduction project, Wilson oversees 19.3 miles of bayou enlargements and environmental enhancements along Sims Bayou from the Houston Ship Channel to Croquet Street to ultimately remove the one percent (100 year) floodplain from approximately 35,000 houses and 2,000 commercial structures. The project entails replacing or modifying 20 roadway bridges and an additional 925 acres of right of way along Sims Bayou.

“Working flood control projects for our communities is an honor,” said Wilson. “These projects significantly reduce the impact of natural disasters that may affect the Houston or Galveston area in the future.”

Most recently, he was instrumental in the Hiram Clarke Bridge construction project milestone that includes the 90 percent completion for the channel rectification portion of the $379 million Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project to widen and deepen Sims Bayou.

“I enjoy construction projects and being able to see the projects develop from conception, design through construction to successful completion,” said Wilson. “It’s an incredible feeling of accomplishment when a project is finished and meets or exceeds the customers’ expectations.”

No stranger to public service, Wilson completed an eight-year tour in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia working for the U.S. Army Office of the Program Manager, was a construction representative at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Millington, Tennessee, and served 10 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy as a propulsion engineering operator and instructor aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

A native of Georgia, he earned his stationary engineer license, the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Production, Quality and Manufacturing Level II certification and the Facilities Engineering Level II certification. In his free time he enjoys fishing, learning to play the acoustic guitar and spending time with his family.

For more news and information, visit www.swg.usace.army.mil. Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2014
• Date Posted: 10.01.2014 10:25
• Story ID: 143896
• Location: GALVESTON, TX, US