USACE Honors Lucas Hix as Natural Resources Management Employee of the Year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District leaders recognized Lucas Hix, Cordell Hull Lake natural resource specialist, as the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Natural Resources Management Employee of the Year during an executive board meeting at district headquarters.

District Commander Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique presented Hix the regional award Sept. 16, while Kenny Claywell, Cordell Hull Lake and Dam natural resource program manager, read the official nomination citation.

“For exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Management Program, Mr. Lucas Hix demonstrated superior performance in program management, public service, and operational excellence.”

At Cordell Hull Lake, Hix oversees Defeated Creek Campground, which ranks among the top three revenue-generating campgrounds across the entire Corps of Engineers. The facility produces approximately $659,000 annually and welcomes more than 85,000 visitors every year. Hix directs park attendant contracts, provides direct customer service, and manages fee collection programs to maintain quality recreation standards for the public.

As volunteer coordinator, Hix guides a team of 163 volunteers, including 13 resident volunteers. His volunteer workforce keeps the Cordell Hull Lake visitor center open six days a week, operates fee booths, cleans park facilities, and completes recreational enhancements like trail maintenance and playground construction without safety incidents. His leadership of the volunteer corps produces more than $233,000 in operational cost savings, sustaining high service levels despite tight project budgets.

In public land stewardship, Hix marks 25 miles of federal boundary lines and inspects an additional 40 miles. By completing boundary surveys and maintenance in-house, Hix prevents encroachments and saves taxpayers roughly $17,000 compared to commercial contracting fees.

Claywell highlighted how that blend of field skills and fiscal management defines Hix’s everyday service.

"Lucas takes pride in his role serving the public as well as supporting his coworkers and exemplifies the role of a Park Ranger," said Claywell. "He takes initiative on tough problems, whether stretching our operating funds through volunteer engagements or stepping up to field-test innovative personal protective equipment that keeps our rangers safe on the water. His hard work makes a lasting difference for our visitors and our entire district."

Beyond his home project, Hix advances ranger health across the region through his service on the Nashville District Park Ranger Hearing Conservation Project Delivery Team. Boat patrols routinely expose park rangers to high noise levels exceeding federal permissible exposure limits, with wind turbulence creating the primary hazard. Hix coordinates with equipment vendors, conducts field tests of in-ear communications gear during vessel patrols, and collaborates with safety officers. His efforts establish practical protective guidelines that regional leaders adopt into the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division boating safety manual.

Hix continues to develop practical management solutions that protect federal property, promote coworker safety, and enhance outdoor experiences across Middle Tennessee.

About Us The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District delivers engineering solutions, with our partners, to secure our Nation, strengthen our economy, and reduce disaster risk. USACE is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges while safely delivering quality projects on schedule and within budget.

Nashville District manages critical water resources infrastructure across the Cumberland and Tennessee River basins in a seven-state region. The district delivers navigation, flood risk management, hydropower, recreation, environmental stewardship, water supply support, regulatory oversight, and emergency response while operating dams in the Cumberland River Basin and maintaining navigation lock projects on the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems. Through this work, the district helps protect communities, support commerce, generate renewable energy, and improve quality of life.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lrd.usace.army.mil%2FAbout%2FDistricts%2FNashville-District%2F, on Facebook at https://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnashvillecorps and on X (formerly Twitter) at https://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.x.com%2Fnashvillecorps. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest Nashville District employment and contracting opportunities at https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fu-s-army-corps-of-engineers-nashville-district.

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