The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, selected Cottage Grove, Minnesota, resident Neil Schwanz as one of its four Civil Servants of the Year for 2016.
The St. Paul District presents this award annually to the top three or four employees of its nearly 650-person staff. Schwanz, who's worked for the Corps of Engineers for 38 years, is chief of the Geotechnical and Geology Branch at the district’s headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Schwanz received his award in recognition of his outstanding leadership abilities, technical competence and professional commitment. He will receive his award at the 39th Annual Minnesota Federal Civil Servant of the Year Awards in Bloomington, Minnesota, at the Double Tree Hotel May 4.
“Neil’s professional commitment and work ethic are unwavering.” Said Michael J. Bart, Schwanz’s supervisor. “Neil treats people fairly, exhibits tremendous patience, and maintains a calm, rational approach that puts people at ease. Neil’s experience, honesty, and kind nature make him a natural leader.”
Schwanz directs and manages geotechnical and geology functions, including dam and levee safety.
The nearly 650 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employees working at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states serve the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. Through the St. Paul District Fiscal Year 2016 $78 million budget, nearly 1,250 non-Corps jobs were added to the regional economy as well as $120 million to the national economy. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.
Release no. 17-028