I began my career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (St. Louis District Office) in 1983. After graduating from SIUE, I gained permanent employment with the Corps of Engineers. I moved to Poplar Bluff, MO in 1987 and began working at Wappapello Lake. In 2008 I was the recipient of the US Army Corps of Engineers USACE) Hiriam M. Chittenden Award for Interpretive Excellence. This national prestigious award is presented in recognition of outstanding achievment using interpretion to enhance public understanding of the USACE , promoting positve experiences and attitudes and encouraging voluntary stewardship of natural, cultural, and created resources. This national award is given to the USACE's top Interpreter of the nation. Also, the first anad only African-American to be honored with this award.