USACE Benefits From Father-Daughter Combo

By James F. Lowe and Christine E. Paul

Writers receive lots of advice to “write about what you know”.

Parents and families often offer those first glimpses of career visions that come to our sons and daughters.

For Aubrie Saulsberry, she has known all of her life that her father, Arthur Saulsberry, has worked for the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for many years as the Chief of Small Business programs. She heard from him that he loves working as a civilian for USACE and after an early start in the St. Louis District, has thoroughly enjoyed serving the small business community in Kansas City.

Even earlier, her grandfather, Saulsberry’s father, served in World War II in the U.S. Army and Aubrie’s mother, Ms. Cecilia Fields, has experienced a 39-year federal career with the Social Security Administration.

“My father has always been a role model to me. Throughout my life, he has shared countless stories about his career path and experiences working at USACE,” she said.

“While in college, I was working at the

University of Kansas Hospital as a nutrition assistant,” Aubrie said. “After graduating college, my father informed me that USACE was hiring interns for contract specialists, and I was elated to apply!”

Aubrie competed with the general public and was hired by the Contracting Division, Military Construction, Kansas City district. Aubrie said the application procedure was very detailed and she learned what she could bring to the District through the deputy chief of the Contracting Division, Bradley Wright.

“I truly enjoy having a community of other recent graduates that are interns like myself. They have been there for me and helped me learn more about contracting and all that USACE does! They are like my second family/work family,” Aubrie said.

Aubrie said that she recommends students from Missouri, where the A+ Program will pay for tuition and some living expenses at a community college, take advantage of that low-cost way to get your initial college experience on the books. You can take care of your core classes and get a better idea of what career you would like to follow.

Saulsberry is known as the “Mayor” of the District because he never meets a stranger and has an upbeat attitude that connects with young and not so young. He sees Aubrie on some days, but she works in a different division and Aubrie is busy making her own friends, acquaintances and contacts.

While Aubrie has forged her own path with USACE and within the federal government, Saulsberry is always there for support and to offer advice. With over 37 years of experience in the federal government, Saulsberry has no shortage of advice to offer to younger employees, or anyone