Episodes
In this special episode of Corps Talk, hosts James Walker and Maj. Tony Funkhouser sit down with some of the most esteemed figures of our team. Join us as we celebrate the exemplary careers of Ava Benson, Betty Grey Waring, Pete Reilly, Wirt Shinault, and Robert Pretlow, the latest inductees into our prestigious Gallery of Distinguished Employees. This conversation underscores how these distinguished individuals employed perseverance and passion during their decades of tenure in service to...
Published 05/02/24
Published 05/02/24
In this special episode of Corps Talk, hosts James Walker and Maj. Tony Funkhouser sit down with some of the most esteemed figures of our team. Join us as we celebrate the exemplary careers of Ava Branson, Betty Grey Waring, Pete Reilly, Wirt Shinault, and Robert Pretlow, the latest inductees into our prestigious Gallery of Distinguished Employees. This conversation underscores how these distinguished individuals employed perseverance and passion during their decades of tenure in service to ...
Published 05/01/24
Have you been wondering what steps the government and our community are actually taking to address climate and environmental changes? In this episode of Corps Talk, hosts James Walker and Maj. Tony Funkhouser meet with Dr. Russ Burke (Environmental Biologist and Professor at Christopher Newport University), David Schulte (USACE Biologist and Project Planner), and Heather Lockwood (USACE Biologist and Project Manager) discuss some of the history, lessons learned, and successes associated...
Published 04/03/24
In this episode of Corps Talk, hosts James and Maj. Tony Funkhouser meet with Thomas Booth (USACE - Norfolk District Chief of Engineering and Construction Branch) and Sharika Wannemacher (Workforce Coordinator) to discuss recruiting efforts, professional development opportunities and possible incentives to be had with a career at USACE. Watch this episode to learn how a career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Norfolk District can be both personally fulfilling and professionally...
Published 03/07/24
In this episode of Corps Talk, hosts James and Maj. Tony Funkhouser meet with Lesley Dobbins-Noble (USACE - Norfolk District Chief of Operations Branch) and Chuck Sanders (civil structural engineer) to discuss how their respective branches often collaborate to help the District achieve its mission to provide effective engineering solutions for some of the Nation's and Commonwealth's toughest challenges. Watch this episode to learn how USACE projects in your backyard help support the local...
Published 02/07/24
Join us in this special podcast episode as we explore the career of Richard Klein, recently retired Chief of the Programs and Civil Works Branch at the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). With a remarkable 45-year tenure that ended on December 19, Mr. Klein offers a wealth of stories, insights, and inspiration from his journey in civil engineering. Listen as James, Maj. Funkhouser and Mr. Klein delve into topics like professional development in engineering, the value of mentorship, adapting...
Published 01/03/24
In the latest episode of Corps Talk, hosts James Walker and Maj. Tony Funkhouser have an engaging chat with Norfolk District's own Abbe Preddy and Holly Berckenhoff. They dive into Abbe and Holly's inspiring career paths, from their academic days to playing pivotal roles in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects. Tune in to hear how these two up-and-coming professionals gained valuable experience and unexpected levels of expertise, contributing to the Norfolk District's mission to provide...
Published 12/01/23
In this episode of Corps Talk, Heather Lockwood and Drew Gebler, both project managers, take a retrospective look at their experiences from the past year. They discuss their team's achievements and the valuable insights gained in the areas of communication, commitment, and collaboration. Tune in to discover their sources of motivation and learn about their plans for applying these lessons in their future endeavors, as they continue their mission to provide engineering solutions to some of...
Published 11/01/23
In this episode, it's about the special balance maintained by the people. programs and projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We take a look into how the regulatory program balances the needs of the environment and the needs of progress; we see how our new equal employment opporunity chief balances people and the organization to create a strong and resilient workforce; finally, the balance of the Norfolk District's role in our military construction program -- delivering the project to...
Published 04/02/23
In this episode, the host proven so very, very wrong. It's all about timber harvests and how cutting down trees in the Raystown Lake area of Pennsylvania is critical to the environment. Listen to Alisha Palmer, natural resource specialist at Raystown Lake Project; Glenn Warner, forester at Rayston Lake Project; and Andrew Wiley, forrester in the Real Estate Section of the Norfolk District. Shout outs for this episode go to: Andy Wiley Alisha Palmer Glenn Warner
Published 05/05/22
In this episode, we’re talking about leadership – the good, the bad and the habits of both. Andie kicks it off with the Norfolk District’s Leadership Development Program by asking about the pathways to leadership, lessons learned and a few good stories. In the second segment (00;31;00), we catch up with Mike Anderson, Norfolk District Operations Branch, Design Section chief, outside in Fort Norfolk to get the latest on his team’s top project (hint, it’s the Norfolk Harbor Deepening). While...
Published 03/02/22
It’s January 2022 and this is Corps Talk, the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers official podcast. The theme for this season's first episode is “Agile and Educated,” which is what the Department of the Army, the country, the commonwealth, the community and our partners need from us. Our first segment reviews the latest info related to our district's COVID measures, which was recorded late January – so by the time this episode drops will have probably been updated. OUr second...
Published 02/04/22
In this episode, it's about the special balance maintained by the people. programs and projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We take a look into how the regulatory program balances the needs of the environment and the needs of progress; we see how our new equal employment opporunity chief balances people and the organization to create a strong and resilient workforce; finally, the balance of the Norfolk District's role in our military construction program -- delivering the project to...
Published 11/02/21
In this episode of Corps Talk, it's all about filters. See how leadership filters are applied by the new district commander, Col. Brian Hallberg, to help deliver the mission; how an environmental restoration project is based on using natural filtration to help return the Chesapeake Bay to health; and, hear what Women's Equality Day 2021 looks like through the filter of one of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' leading ladies, Ms. Karen...
Published 08/26/21
Title: Corps Talk: ¡ponte las pilas! (S1Ep9) YouTube Title: Corps Talk: ¡ponte las pilas! (S1Ep9) VIRIN: 200918-A-SO401-1001 It’s National Hispanic American Heritage Month, so this episode we're asking our listeners to “¡ponte las pilas!” or “wake up and listen!” to our special on Fort Norfolk – the home of the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Patrick brings us his final Corp Talk piece and gets the background on this little-known gem from a local historian. This two-chapter...
Published 11/24/20
Corps Talk: Dredging for Compliments S1:Ep10 Last episode, Corps Talk had a special segment about their home – historic Fort Norfolk. And this month’s episode is absolutely nothing like that. Andie qualifies her inability to make deadlines by blaming the District Commander’s Course, which the Norfolk District hosted in October to assist incoming district commanders and deputy commanders in the Corps. On the flip side, though, she was able to track down and interview leadership throughout...
Published 11/24/20
It’s National Hispanic American Heritage Month, so this episode we're asking our listeners to “¡ponte las pilas!” or “wake up and listen!” to our special on Fort Norfolk – the home of the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Patrick brings us his final Corp Talk piece and gets the background on this little-known gem from a local historian. This two-chapter segment is broken up by Andie, who reviews that latest Great Places to Work opportunities, as well as news from around the...
Published 09/18/20
In this episode, we're not sure if it's Patrick's last time on Corps Talk or not! We DO know that he spent time talking with our award-winning Logistics Readiness Office team and quizzed the crew on what it takes to keep the district delivering during a pandemic. Andie eked out a last-minute interview with the Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist and got the skinny on what Women's Equality Day looks like at the district (hint: it's not just female). The episode rounds out with News from...
Published 08/17/20
In this episode, Patrick talks with two members of the district who are knee deep in all things Florida studies. Andie catches up with the folks on the front lines of COVID-19 response and finds out how their creative thinking saved precious hours during alternate-care facility inspections. The chief of small business operations owns a segment in which she describes the roles of the small business program, as well as lists upcoming events for small business contractors to work with the...
Published 07/11/20
In this episode, Andie has a candid chat with Norfolk District and city of Virginia Beach personnel about all things beach-renourishment. Patrick catches up with the Emergency Management Office amid all the happenings of 2020. The episode finishes up with the Norfolk District news for June.
Published 06/12/20
In this episode our hosts explore what the Norfolk District's post-pandemic "new normal" may look like. Andie hosts a segment with the navigation support and survey team, discussing their role in clearing hazards to navigation. Patrick's segment serves as a Memorial Day observance as he finds out more about the district's work at Arlington National Cemetery. And as always, the team rounds out the show with this month's news segment.
Published 05/09/20
This episode is not business-as-usual as the Team figures out how to operate during the current global pandemic COVID-19. Patrick was able to catch up with a district member on the front lines, leading a team assisting partner agencies in building alternate-care facilities. Andie recorded a call with Lt. Col. Samms, the district deputy commander, to hear the timeline and the decisions made to deliver the mission, while keeping employees safe. Corps Talk continues with the monthly Great Places...
Published 04/10/20
In this episode, the hosts recognize the women of the Norfolk District and the role they play in floodplain management, as well as engineering and construction. The latest district news and the Great Places to Work segment round out this...
Published 03/13/20
In this episode we meet more members of the Norfolk District. The first segment addresses the Deep Creek Bridge project and some of the challenges the city of Chesapeake and District are working to overcome and deliver the mission. Then we introduce a marine biologist who has had a whale of a career that eventually led her to join the USACE team. Also, the Great Places to Work special guest answers questions from the District's Facebook page and offers some tips on applying for federal...
Published 02/14/20