The Johnston Island Story

To Whom It May Concern,

This is a letter of recommendation for Ms Shelby Magnuson-Hawkins. Ms Magnuson-Hawkins served as the Lead Pest Control Specialist, Raytheon Services Nevada (RSN) Johnston Atoll Operations from June 1995 to December 1995. In this position she was responsible for the development and implementation of the entire island-wide pest control and management program. My positions is that of Director of Operations, Johnston Atoll. As the Director of Operations, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of this remote island.

Johnston Atoll is a small, isolated group of islands about 800 miles west-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. Johnston Island, the largest of the four islands is approximately one-square mile in area and its composition is dredged and crushed coral. This composition makes the ground very permeable to fluids or chemicals. Since no natural fresh water is available on the island, all fresh water is made by reverse osmosis by drawing water up from the aquifer. Any substance that might contaminate the aquifer can't be used on the island. The main mission of Johnston Atoll is the demilitarization of chemical weapons. In order to protect the workers on the island a Red Blood Cell Cholinesterase (RBC-ChE) baseline determination is made, for all workers on the island. Therefore, the use of any chemical that would influence the RBC-ChE results, such as organophosphate based insecticides, is prohibited.

During the short time Ms Magnuson-Hawkins was on Johnston Atoll she did a superb job of not only decreasing the population of termites, roaches, and other pests, but preventing their return with a remarkable long-term treatment methodology. This treatment methodology saved the Government several hundred thousand dollars, when compared to traditional fumigation methods, and used a environmentally safe chemical regimen that did not contaminate the aquifer or affected the RBC-ChE readings from our island workers. Additionally, her program created four pest-free structure zones and virtually eliminated pests from the island's sewer system. In short, her pest control and management program did an excellent job, was very cost effective, and created a healthier environment for the island population.

In summary, I believe Ms Magnuson-Hawkins made a tremendous positive impact on the health and welfare of Johnston Atoll. She was a model citizen, who is welcome back anytime, and an excellent worker whose work ethic is above reproach. I strongly recommend Ms Shelby Magnuson-Hawkins for any leadership or management position dealing with pest control and management. Her work is simply outstanding. If you require further information or need to speak with me about her work, I can be reached at (808) 622-4258, Monday through Friday, 7:30AM to 5:30PM, Hawaii time.

To Whom It May Concern,

This is a letter of reference for Ms. Shelby Magnuson-Hawkins. Ms. Magnuson-Hawkins presently serves as the Lead Pest Control Specialist for Raytheon Services Nevada (RSN) Johnston Atoll Operations. My position is that of Commander, Johnston Atoll. As commander, I am concerned about the health, morale and welfare of all Johnston Atoll residents. As the lead pest control specialist, I can think of no other individual whose job deals more directly with those concerns of mine than Ms. Magnuson-Hawkins'. Through her expert skill and unwavering determination, she strives to ensures all island residents live in a rodent and insect free environment. By successfully accomplishing her duties, she is aiding me immeasurably to carry out my responsibilities as commander. I count her as an extremely important member of my team.

Johnston Atoll is a small group of islands located approximately 800 miles from Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu is the closest population center to Johnston Atoll, which means this one square mile island on which we live is very isolated. No matter what task an individual performs on this island, they face unique challenges unlike those faced by their counterparts in more populated areas. In the case of Ms. Magnuson-Hawkins, she is faced with accomplishing her task of keeping the island free of harmful insects and rodents, while trying at the same time to support an operation which is also a monitored, U. S. Government declared fish and wildlife refuge. Every insecticide and rodent trap she uses must pass careful scrutiny by U. S. Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife on-site personnel. Add that restriction to the fact that we are located in a tropical environment, and that we get all our food supplies from off island through sea and air shipments, which are prone to supporting transport of rodents, and you can understand the challenges she faces. Her response is a proactive yet environmentally safe and wildlife friendly approach which rates the highest marks for effectiveness, and go beyond anything I've ever encountered. I personally inspected the crawl space underneath our dining hall after she treated for cockroaches. Seeing is believing, and I saw none, where before the walls were literally covered with them. She does a phenomenal job, and always does it professionally.

In summary, I rate Ms. Magnuson-Hawkins a model citizen and excellent worker. She shares her good nature with all, both on and off duty. She is a frequent contributor and participant in island activities, and she demonstrates every day she can adapt to difficult circumstances and make the best of limited resources. Her work ethic is above reproach, and she is a highly qualified, totally competent, experienced pest control specialist. Without qualification, I recommend her for any pest control specialist position for which she may be considered. If you need to talk to me, I can be reached at (808) 6224258, Monday thru Saturday, 7:30AM to 5:30PM Hawaii time.