Three public affairs specialists at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District placed in the Herbert A. Kassner Communication Awards Competition this year.
The Kassner competition is conducted annually across all USACE districts on behalf of the Chief of Engineers.
Products were judged on a 10-point grading system within 14 categories ranging from photo and video to print and graphic arts. The guidelines for each product were set by USACE Headquarters and judged by a panel of senior Soldiers and civilians in the public affairs career field.
The competition is meant cultivate and inspire excellence within the public affairs and visual information communities, and the winners for the 2023 products were announced last week.
“We had a high number of quality entries from throughout the enterprise, making this year’s competition especially fierce,” said Chris Augsburger, director of USACE public affairs. “I’d like to thank all of those professionals who contributed to telling the USACE story in so many outstanding and creative ways.”
John Prettyman, senior public affairs specialist, won first in the Feature Video category. Products submitted in video categories were evaluated on criteria ranging from storytelling to lighting to soundbites and stand-ups. Judges also evaluated how effective the product was at meeting its goal. For Prettyman’s video on Bryte Yard, the goal was to introduce viewers to the innovative team that ensures USACE projects and facilities in California’s Central Valley continue operating.
“Receiving a Kassner award is a tremendous honor, as it recognizes and encourages the innovative style I try to bring to each new communication product,” Prettyman said. “Even after 15 years with USACE, my passion and motivation for sharing unique stories about our people, projects, and diverse missions continues to grow.”
All winners and their products from Sacramento District are listed below:
Category 2 – Manual or digital illustration
2nd Place: John Prettyman, Sacramento District
Value Wetlands Infographic
Category 6 – Feature Photo
3rd Place: Kenneth Wright, Sacramento District
USACE fishes for data to help save threatened green sturgeon
Category 7 – Photojournalism
2nd Place: Jeremy Croft, Sacramento District
Wave of Construction Kicks Off at Folsom Dam
Category 9 – Feature Video
1st Place: John Prettyman, Sacramento District
Bryte Yard: Master Craftsmen of USACE
Herbert Kassner was a Public Affairs Officer for the Mississippi Valley Commission and a Lieutenant Colonel in the 412th Engineer Command. Kassner was a highly regarded member of the USACE public affairs community. The competition was named in his honor after he died from cancer in 1988.