USGS Multimedia Gallery: (Video)--The Recovery Act got me my job

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Region Presents: The Recovery Act go me my job.

Each slide will display for 20 seconds. For more viewing time please hit the "Pause" button.

Slide 1 (from 0:19 to 0:38)
Who: Ray Fletcher
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Current Employer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Current Position: Contract Specialist

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"Not only did it help me gain employment, but it helps others in the construction industry, which has been hit hardest by the economic downturn. It gives them an opportunity to keep people employed and do work. So I'm very thankful I have an opportunity to be a part of this program because I believe it's going to be successful."

Slide 2 (from 0:40 to 0:58)
Who: Ben Astenius
Location: Tuscon, Arizona
Current Employer: Man of the Soil Contractors
Current Position: Owner

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"The future for us will be good as long as we can compete in the government arena, which actually boosts us and gives us an edge on our competitors in the residential and commercial fields. The future looks good as long as we have these recovery programs that are definitely working. It has made a huge difference in my business."

Slide 3 (from 1:00 to 1:18)
Who: Dave Valdez
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Current Employer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Current Position: Grant and Agreement Administrator

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"I graduated with my MBA in July of 2008 thinking that was going to be my golden ticket to job security in today's America. And came to find that wasn't the case...Everyday I wake up, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here in this contract assignment funded by Recovery Act funds and hope in the future this develops into something long term."

Slide 4 (from 1:20 to 1:38)
Who: David S. Melton
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Current Employer: Sacred Power Corporation
Current Position: Owner

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"We now hold two patents for renewable energy applications. And thanks to this (Recovery Act) project and others, we have just purchased a $1.9 million, 50,000 square-foot warehouse where we will be able to put many more people to work."

Slide 5 (from 1:40 to 1:58)
Who: Pamela Trego
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Current Employer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Current Position: Contract Administrator

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"Having been unemployed and seeking employment for 11 months, plus a background in government contracting/procurement, and being currently enrolled in CNM Project Management courses, the opportunity to participate in the Recovery Act program as a contract specialist administering construction awards is a wonderful blessing."

Slide 6 (from 2:00 to 2:18)
Who: Nancy W. Russell
Location: Harlingen, Texas
Current Employer: Rhino Contractors
Current Position: Co-owner, President and CEO

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"Not only is there financial opportunity, but the leadership that you get and their framework of how they want things done improves your day-to-day skills...I think a lot of the Recovery Act projects are going to be a facilitator in providing...more stable and more efficient homes. I foresee that with the solar, the wind and all of the activities we have that we are definitely going to be in a lead area as far as energy efficiency."

Slide 7 (from 2:20 to 2:38)
Who: Jerome Romero
Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico
Current Employer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Current Position: Summer 2009 Intern

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"Having earned a bachelor's of science in biology, having something other than construction and EMT experience on my resume and having something actually in my field of study greatly improves my future."

Slide 8 (from 2:40 to 2:58)
Who: Tim Fogarty
Location: Corrales, New Mexico
Current Employer: Saigan Construction
Current Position: Owner

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"We had been doing about $3 million a year for the last three to four years, and we will double that in the next six months. It's been a great benefit to us. I've hired on about ten people at this time, but we're still going to hire more. We'll probably get up to about 25 employees."

Slide 9 (from 3:00 to 3:18)
Who: Carlos Herrera
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Current Employer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Current Position: Summer 2009 Intern

How has the Recovery Act affected your life?

"This funding has been great for me because the job was located closer to home, and I didn't have to travel hours away...to find a job for the summer. I do also have a daughter. She's two years old, so that's also a priority to maintain the family. While going to school and maintaining a job, I've still got to pay the bills. Fortunately I was able to get this job here, and I'm glad to see that I'm one of the benefactors of the Recovery funding."

[end of slides]
For more information: www.recovery.gov

http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/us-fish-and-wildlife-service/

www.fws.gov/southwest

Credits:
Show created by Recovery Act Media Specialist Clay Harris

Song "Cherry Blossom" by Kevin MacLeod

Special thanks to all the contractors and U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees who contributed to this show.