A Vicksburg native has been named a top regulator by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Vicksburg District.

Jeffrey (Chad) Phillips is this year’s winner of the Larry N. Harper “Regulator of the Year” award, according to a news release.

Phillips was nominated by his peers in the Regulatory Branch for work to assure the nation’s aquatic resources are protected, the release said. Also a registered forester, Phillips began his career in 2009 as an environmental specialist and holds a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi State University.

The release said Phillips took on additional duties without hesitation, a reflection of the award’s namesake.

Harper is credited with the establishment of an interagency team to provide technical wetland training for the Natural Resources Conservation Service during a 35-y