MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 22, 2007 – Jean Todd, contracting officer for both the Memphis District, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers and the Corps’ Louisiana Recovery Field Office in New Orleans, has been
selected to receive the General Services Administration’s 2007 Ida Ustad Award for Excellence in
Acquisition. The award recognizes the individual Government employee whose actions demonstrate or
embody the concept of “contract specialist as business leader/advisor and had a major impact on
improving the acquisition process.”
The nationally-presented award also includes $5,000 for Todd.
Sandra Riley, the Corps’ director of contracting in Washington, D.C., announced the award in an
e-mail dated May 18.
“Jean was faced with the tremendously difficult acquisition challenges of un-watering the City of
New Orleans and removing debris generated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” Riley said. “She skillfully
led the establishment of the on-site, full service (cradle to grave) Contracting Office, utilizing innovative
strategies to accomplish the complex mission under unbelievably traumatic circumstances.”
Riley said the sheer volume of work performed at the Louisiana Recovery Field Office is a
success story in and of itself.
“Ms. Todd managed over $2 billion in contract awards associated with hurricanes Katrina and
Rita, the Louisiana Recovery Field Office has cleaned up more than 28 million cubic yards of debris,
and roofed over 81,000 buildings after two major hurricanes – a task that has never been done before!”
Riley said. “Equally compelling was the Louisiana Recovery Field Office’s accomplishments with
respect to small business participation. Under Jean’s leadership, the Louisiana Recovery Field Office
awarded over $175 million to small businesses with almost $1 billion in subcontracts going to small and
disadvantaged businesses. Through her untiring efforts, Jean helped improve the quality of life for the
Louisiana residents that were affected by not just one, but two natural disasters.”
Todd will receive the award at a GSA ceremony in Washington, D.C. in June.
Release no. 07-09