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make people the foundation for everything we do. I identified three focus areas: people, training and facilities, and the management team helped develop seven initiatives within those focus areas that really concentrate on taking care of people. We formed committees in all of those areas, and making progress has been a consistent goal throughout my command. We would discuss the things we’ve accomplished on a monthly basis, and, more importantly, determine what the way ahead would be based on those initiatives. Then, over the three years, we’ve had training conferences and leadership conferences to further hone those initiatives. We’ve gotten better and better and stayed consistent throughout the time I’ve been here. I’m really happy with what the District has accomplished in those areas. That theme, that model, has not changed throughout the time I’ve been here. NewsCastle: Have you gotten good feedback? Col. Toy: The feedback has been great, but, really for me, I know people get it, because of what they tell me during the out briefs I’ve had with those individuals who have either left the organization because they’ve found other places to work or they have retired after many years of great service. I always ask them what they will miss most about leaving Los Angeles District, and all of them say the same thing…all of them say they are going to miss the folks they have worked with. And, that is an indication to me of what makes this organization great, that people are saying it is all about the people. We build great things for the nation. There is no doubt the Corps of Engineers is a national treasure, and we do so many different things that make our nation great, but one of the things I think we do best in the Corps is that we take care of people. I think if there is a legacy I’d like to leave in the district it is for people to
know me as the guy who brought that motto and that thinking to the district. NewsCastle: What have been some of your least favorite aspects command? Col. Toy: Th e least favorite is how long, sometimes, it takes to get things done, and that really has nothing to do with the folks in the district doing their jobs. It has to do with the processes, but I think we are making great strides. We are doing a lot of studies and a lot of construction that has taken many years as a result of the type of funding we get. We don’t get all of the funding for a project in one fiscal year, especially in civil works projects. And, the checks and balances are in place for a reason, but sometimes that is a little frustrating. When you are out in a unit, you get a mission and you drive to accomplish it, so the timeframe is a lot smaller, and that is the kind of mindset I had when I got here. I’ve learned throughout my time here that a lot of coordination needs to occur, not only within the district but at division and at headquarters, but, ultimately, we get to the endpoint. I’ve appreciated that whole process, and even though it might be one of the least things I’ve enjoyed, I know it happens for a reason. NewsCastle: Have you accomplished the goals you set for yourself? Col. Toy: I probably didn’t accomplish everything I wanted to, because, as a commander, you want to strive to reach a vision or a strategic direction. And, really, there is no endgame in this, because you always know you can do better. I think, more than anything, I’ve wanted to make sure this whole idea of taking care of people reaches everyone in the organization and everybody believes it, and three years isn’t enough time for that. We have people in this organization who have worked here for more than 40 years, and they have seen a lot of different commanders who have had a lot of different ideas. But, I think that the idea of taking care of people should carry on, and it will never have an endgame, because you can never do enough for your people to make things better in their workplace. NewsCastle: If you could stay longer, would you? Col. Toy: Absolutely! But, we have to give other people a chance to command. That is one of the things I love about the Army, but command is such a fleeting moment. I’ve been in the Army 26 years, and the actual time I’ve been in command has been a small fraction, so I’ve cherished it. Plus, if anyone would give me more time to be a part of this great district, I’d certainly take it. That is part of the reason why I’m not ready to retire right now, because I’ve been offered the opportunity to carry on in another capacity at our headquarters. I’m really excited to bring the idea of taking care of people to headquarters in the hopes that it will trickle down to other people in the organization.
NewsCastle: What is your next assignment? Col. Toy: I’ve been asked by Lt. Gen. Bostick (commanding general of USACE) to serve as his chief of staff. After I change command on July 11 and turn command over to my successor, I’ll take some vacation with my family, and then I’ll report to Washington, D.C. on August 1st. I’m really excited about working with a whole new team and learning again. This will be part of my development as a leader, as I’m still a work in progress, but I’ve learned so much from so many people in this district who have worked for the Army Corps of Engineers for a long time. I’ve learned so much, and I know I’ll be able to take that with me. NewsCastle: What will you miss the least? Col. Toy: I will definitely not miss the traffic and the commute. But, I really don’t think about what I’m not going to miss as opposed to what I will miss, which is the great people of this organization, but they will carry on and continue to do great things, and I will be watching from afar. NewsCastle: What lessons from this experience will you take with you? Col. Toy: I think most of the lessons will be about the Corps’ processes. I’ve spent 26 years in the Army, and 23 years of that time has been on the tactical side, so I’m very comfortable with combat engineering and construction engineering. But, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ civil works processes are complex and hard to fully master. I think going to the headquarters will enable me to continue learning about those processes, and I will be bringing the district mentality and the challenges faced at the district-level. I’ll try to help the people at division and headquarters determine how to better facilitate the job for those on the ground who are directly making things happen locally in the different cities and counties across the country. NewsCastle: What would you tell someone who is just coming into the Corps? Col. Toy: One of the most exciting things I’ve done while in the district is reinvigorate and continue to support the intern program. I’ve loved the times I’ve gone out to the different schools, from elementary schools to high schools to colleges, to talk to people about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), but also about careers in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Even though we have some program challenges right now, we still have to continue to build the bench and bring great people into the organization. I’ve told the new people coming in to find a mentor, talk to someone about what they want to do to reach personal and professional goals, and figure out what they want to do in the Corps. They can reach their goals here, and that is why the Corps is such a great organization. NewsCastle: What do you do about people who do not seem happy?
Col. Toy: Well, I’m glad you asked that, because taking care of people also means taking care of the individuals who may not be in the right seat on the bus. I think everyone has a passion for something. For those individuals who are working in the Corps who are not happy coming to work, they need to find what their passion is, and it might be outside of the Corps. We as leaders, supervisors, and mentors have a responsibility to discuss that with them. You always want to see someone be successful, but for those people who are not doing the right thing in the Corps it is possible we can help them find fulfillment in a different part of the organization or in a different organization altogether. I think that makes an organization better as a whole, because you want people in the district who want to be there. It makes things better for everyone else. NewsCastle: What are some of the more memorable projects you’ve been involved in? Col. Toy: For me, it has been the Los Angeles River. I found out on my second day on the job how important that study is going to be. I was out on a tributary of Compton Creek with then EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigoza, and White House Chair for the Counsel of Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley, and they were talking about how important the LA River is and how it will transform. Most of us know the LA River is that concrete structure from the Hollywood movies, a flood control structure, and that it gets fuller during the rainy season and helps torrential rains to flow from the mountains all the way to Long Beach and empty into the ocean. But, it is more than that. We’ve found, with the LA River study, that we can combine flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and recreation. That recreation piece has been a big part, as we’ve opened up, for the first time, two sections for kayaking that really connect people with the river. During my command, we’ve worked on that study, and we are about to finish. And, with all of the studies we do in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we want to get to construction. So, hopefully, we’ll be doing the construction for that ecosystem project in the next couple of years. NewsCastle: How do you want to say good-bye? Col. Toy: As I finish my last 30 days on the job, I’m trying to make sure to tell everyone “thank you!” Thank you for helping me develop as a leader and as your commander. It has been a humbling experience. Normal commands are about two years, and I’ve had three wonderful years learning from many wonderful people. I would like to tell everyone to continue doing their job, but don’t be a stranger. I won’t be very far away. Again, not only in Los Angeles District, people are the foundation of a great organization. And, although I’m leaving and going to headquarters, I want people to remember that everything we do, all the projects we do, come down to “building strong and taking care of people.” Thank you for the opportunity to work with you, and I wish everyone the absolute best. March 2013
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