When Engineer Equipment Operator Bill Krampe
of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Houston
Project Office arrives to work in the morning, he
can never be too sure what he will be doing that day.
In addition to operating heavy engineering equipment
at Addicks and Barker dams and reservoirs, Krampe is
responsible for a myriad of other duties at the USACE
Houston Project Office that keeps his days both occupied
and varied.
"I act as a liaison between my supervisor and other
offices, agencies, visitors and small contractors," said
Krampe. "I keep up with maintenance at the field office and
the dams and I'm responsible for some of the clerical duties
as well. I'm also responsible for work that falls under the
heading, 'other duties as assigned.'"
According to Natural Resource Manager Richard
Long, USACE Houston Project Office, Krampe was hired
precisely because of his ability to juggle so many different
tasks.
"I needed a Jack of all trades, and with Bill, I certainly
got one," said Long.
Krampe's knowledge of engineering equipment is vast
enough to keep him busy on any construction site.
"I know how to operate forklifts, farm tractors, overhead
cranes, trenchers, dozers, wheeled and tracked loaders,
scrappers, trucks and old fabrication equipment," said
Krampe. "I used to build stuff for the oilfield in fabrication
ships and I still enjoy building and fixing things."
Currently, Krampe is working on a rehabilitation project
on the Addicks and Barker outlet structures. As part of that
project, Krampe is also participating with the renovations
of some of the maintenance and access roads on top of the
dams.
As part of his versatility, Krampe accepted another
Corps responsibility this past year - a job that has nothing
to do with operating heavy equipment or working on a
construction site.
He became the Corps' best known advocate for water
safety.
"Last year I was chosen to play Bobber, the Water Safety
Dog, and that role is a lot of fun," said Krampe. "I remember
last year wearing the suit and walking through the Jadwin
Building greeting a lot of the fine folks that work with the
Galveston District. I still look at those pictures from time to
time. What a job!"
A USACE Galveston District employee for 23 years,
Krampe says his decision to remain with the district for so
long is a testament to the dedication of his co-workers.
"For years, I always took an offer for more money or a
position I believed was better because I felt the grass was
always greener on the other side," said Krampe. "Here I've
been with the same folks for a long time and I feel like
they're family. I'm amazed and thankful for the quality of
folks I work with everyday."
Krampe is a husband, father of three and grandfather of
four children. In his spare time he enjoys building shelves
and cabinets for family and friends and also dabbles in
amateur radio.
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