Phillips named Nashville District Employee of the Month for July 2017

Courtesy Photo | Jason Phillips, a project engineer assigned to the Eastern Tennessee Resident Office, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District’s employee of the month for July 2017.  

NASHVILLE, TN, UNITED STATES

09.12.2017

Story by Mark Rankin 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 11, 2017) – Jason Phillips, a project engineer assigned to the Eastern Tennessee Resident Office, is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District’s employee of the month for July 2017.
Phillips is recognized for his significant contributions and demonstrated professionalism while serving as project engineer and the technical engineering on the National Nuclear Security Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) Project at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

“Phillips is an excellent engineer who has earned the admiration, trust and respect of his partners, stakeholders, peers, and supervisors,” said Maj. Christopher Burkhart, Nashville District deputy commander.
Burkhart said Phillips’ aggressive, straight forward and no nonsense approach to work is one of his strongest assets and the district is fortunate to have him.
Phillips routinely conducts Construction Management, Contract Administration, and Quality Assurance activities in accordance with established policies, procedures and regulations for district projects. He credits his team at work and he contributes much of his success to his friend Jeremiah Manning for instilling a great work ethic.
Manning, a resident engineer at the Western Kentucky Resident Office and close friend, explained that Phillips is a true professional and is also well deserving of the award because of the extra effort he puts forth in his job, exceeding the requirements of his position.
“He is a great guy who is always mission focused, makes great decisions, works hard and makes others great through his work ethic,” said Manning.
Manning and Phillips worked together at the Louisville District in 2009. They both later transitioned to the Nashville District.
“I learned much of what I know about project engineering from Manning said Phillips. He (Manning) has been a good mentor, friend and teacher to me.
According to Burkhart, Phillips’s performance stood tall during a period of transition and he stepped up, providing the driving force to complete work by the contractor in a timely manner by using all the contracting tools available.
Phillips said what he likes about the Corps most is the ability to work hard, meet great people, work on a variety of projects and learn.

“I appreciate this award, because I really love my job and getting the opportunity to work with some great people,” said Phillips.
Phillips has worked for the Corps for nine years. He started in the Louisville District in 2009, spent some time in the Europe District and then joined the Nashville District team in 2016.
Phillips considers planning one of his strong points. Part of his jobs consists of coordinating key multiple contracting meetings with the Tulsa, Louisville, Nashville district offices along with the contractors.
Phillips said having patience while gaining more experience and working with a variety of people has contributed to his success as a civil engineer.
“I am happy to receive this award, proud for the East Tennessee team and the recognition, said Phillips. “I enjoy my job, working with the staff and working alongside the Nashville District family.”
Phillips is a native of Monterey, Tenn., and has a bachelor’s degree from the Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tenn.
Phillips and his wife Kasie, have an 8-year old son, Judah. He loves spending time with family and friends. His hobbies include working outdoors and riding All-terrain vehicles with his son.
Phillips said civil engineering and project engineering work are both interesting and rewarding, but is not the only thing that motivates him.
“Family is priority number one,” said Phillips. “I love doing my job, doing the best I can and I believe accolades will come,” he added.
Burkhart said Phillips’ competence, and ability to effectively communicate with numerous levels of management kept the Oak Ridge project moving forward. He sacrificed many weekends on short notice to review schedules and assisted contractors with meeting deadlines.
“Jason's ‘can do, will do’ attitude, outstanding performance, and efforts to make the district extraordinary makes him a prime role model for the organization and perfect selectee for the July 2017 Employee of the Month,” said Burkhart.
(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.)

• Date Taken: 09.12.2017
• Date Posted: 09.13.2017 07:00
• Story ID: 248042
• Location: NASHVILLE, TN, US