Crews continue the Personal Property Debris mission in McDowell County, North Carolina June 29, 2025. More than 47,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed since work began in the county.
Jason Smith, a Contract Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District, was named USACE Contract Specialist of the Year for his leadership during Hurricanes Helene and PTC 8. Smith oversaw over $1.6 billion in contracts, accelerated recovery efforts through drone technology, and prioritize small business participation.
For more than 250 days, John Fay provided consistent leadership for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Private Property Debris Removal mission in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Serving as a zone manager, he helped coordinate rotating teams and oversaw key operations across 16 counties. As the mission nears completion, his efforts reflect the scale and complexity of long-term disaster recovery.
