Today's Featured Biography

 
Robert Stuart

Occupation: Civil Engineer (retired, pro-tern)
Education: Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering
After graduating from college, I served two years in the Peace Corps in Thailand. I worked as a civil engineer for a Thai Government agency responsible for community development in the rural areas. My principal responsibilities were the planning, design, and construction small dams and other irrigation facilities. I also taught conversational English as an extra-curricular activity during my second year. I consider the most rewarding aspect of my Peace Corps experience as having to learn and use a second language (i.e., the Thai language).
After returning from Thailand, I worked for the Federal Aviation Administration in Los Angeles for 1 year, before moving to Sacramento.
I spent 9 years in Sacramento, working for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Principal duties included the inspection of dams, canals and irrigation distribution facilities within the Central Valley of California and northern Nevada. Some of my more memorable experiences with the Bureau included having the opportunity to inspect such noted water project facilities as Shasta Dam, in northern California.
I left the Bureau and worked about a year for a private engineering consulting firm in Apple Valley (California). The firm had contracts with Government facilities such as the Goldstone Deep Space Complex and Fort Irwin, and I had the opportunity to work on projects at both locations.
I returned to the Federal Government in June 1987, working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Los Angeles. During most of my 19 years with the Corps, I was involved in the operation of Corps dams within southern California and in Arizona. Probably my most memorable experience with the Corps was during the flood events of 1993. One of the dams in Arizona received enough inflow to fill completely and flow over the (emergency) spillway. This was the only time such an occurrence has happened with the Corps in Los Angeles. Other very memorable events with the Corps were the occasions I had to present professional papers at international water resources conferences in Bangkok and in Melbourne. While working for the Corps, I went to graduate school part time for my masters degree.
Aside from my working career, I have been involved with Toastmasters, both in Sacramento and (more recently) in the Los Angeles area. I have held numerous club officer positions (am currently President of two clubs) and have held positions above the club level within the Toastmasters International organization. Toastmasters has been a very fulfilling experience by being able to help and mentor others, as well as developing my own elocutionary abilities.

VIEW ALL BIOGRAPHIES