Yuma Proving Ground Employee spotlight: Joe Escalante, Directorate of Public Works

Meet Joe Escalante, the newest member of the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG). He works as a construction contro… Meet Joe Escalante, the newest member of the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG). He works as a construction control representative. DPW ensures that installation infrastructure remains safe, resilient, and capable of supporting the mission, Soldiers, families, and the broader community. Escalante will help to support the mission at YPG by “overseeing projects, assisting, other technicians on projects, and putting the projects to the contractors for bid.” His job includes desk work such as creating the scope of work on a project, and on-site work like inspecting work sites to ensure the work contracted is being performed to the specifications on the contract.

Some upcoming projects he’ll provide support to are the Kahuna Lagoon renovation and pavement work on the airfield. Escalante comes to YPG with decades of experience. He previously worked with Yuma County’s Public Works Department for more than a decade. The positions there provided him with experience in procurement and bids. While he hails from California, he’s been in Yuma for 30 years. He met his wife of 27-years, in Yuma and together they have two grown daughters. In his spare time, Escalante enjoys fishing