Posted on October 21, 2024
On October 7, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District celebrated 95 years as a district. As we celebrate our anniversary, check out our Q&A series where we asked some of our retirees about their favorite parts of working at USACE. In this feature, we talk to Linda Finley, who started working at USACE in 1978 as a student engineer.
Note: Some responses were edited for grammar and style.
Linda Finley
1978-1981 (student engineer) and 1985-2021
Last job title: Chief of the Mega Projects Center (MPC)
What was your favorite part about working at USACE?
I LOVED the work! We had challenging programs and projects and such a diverse program. It was amazing to have the opportunity to work in a district where we could do work ranging from the Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) program to building facilities for the Military Program, from flood protection in the Central Valley to supporting other Federal Agencies. And when you did this work, the organization would train you to help you succeed in your efforts! I was always astonished how this organization would step up to the plate when a challenge presented itself.
I was also incredibly happy how this organization allowed me to be a mom to my two daughters while having a very meaningful career. I was able to attend every field trip, sports game, Girl Scouts event, and school event they had. It meant a lot to me that I could do that, and it was a big driver on why I stayed with the organization.
Did you have a favorite project you worked on or one that you found most interesting?
I enjoyed all the projects/programs that I worked on. But one that really stands out is work that we were able to accomplish in the Civil Works program around about 2002. It was difficult to get construction done on the Civil Works program at that time, but we were doing a lot of work on the levees along the American and Sacramento Rivers. FEMA was able to update their flood maps and higher flood protection was achieved because of our work. One day I received a call from a member of the public who was a senior citizen. They let me know that their flood insurance dropped significantly (over half), and it made a huge financial difference to their household. It helped many of their neighbors and they thanked me. That call came from my father.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers in the field you worked in?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a great organization. It has such diversity of work that you will never be bored. It can be challenging work but that is what USACE does. If it were easy, it would not be coming to the Corps of Engineers. Your dedication to the organization, during the easy and tough times, will be worth it in the long run. This is an organization that will demand a lot, but you will get a lot out of it if you are committed to doing excellent work.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I wish the District the best in this 95th anniversary celebration! You all deserve to celebrate all the accomplishments that this great District has achieved. And I look forward to attending the 100th anniversary celebration!!! Essayons!
