ANDOVER — It's a long way from a campground in Hampstead, N.H., to a high-level government job in Washington, D.C.
But Inspector General Calvin Scovel III of the U.S. Department of Transportation, credits his days with Boy Scout Troop 33 in Hampstead, where he earned his Eagle Scout badge, with paving the way to the important federal post he holds today.
"Without a doubt, it made a difference," Scovel said last night, before addressing 150 new Eagles at the Yankee Clipper Council's annual Eagle Scout recognition banquet at the Wyndham Boston Andover hotel.
"Lessons that I learned in scouting have been reinforced in my 29-year career in the Marine Corps that I still find of value today in my current position," he said. Scovel is one of 60 to have made Eagle in Troop 33.
Scovel, who has two sons who also went to earn scouting's highest rank, was appointed to his current position by President Bush in 2006. His department is authorized by Congress to conduct independent reviews and audits to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of DOT operations.
The inspector general also investigates whether federal laws and regulations were violated and must report suspected civil and criminal violations.
"My field office in Cambridge has had a field day for a decade with the Big Dig," Scovel told the Eagle Scouts during his address, referring to the notorious problems that have plagued Boston's third harbor tunnel and central artery construction project.
This year's Eagle Scout class was recognized in honor of Donald A. Doliber Sr. of Marblehead, who earned his Eagle Scout badge in 1960. He served in numerous roles as part of the scouting program for over 50 years and is currently a member of the Yankee Clipper Council executive board and a council vice president.
Doliber was a social studies teacher for 24 years and is presently an assistant principal at Masconomet Regional High School in Topsfield.
The Eagle Scouts, representing troops from 52 communities in Essex County and Southern New Hampshire were honored last night. The local Eagle Scouts include:
Lawrence: Matthew Bourque, Christopher Gigliotti and Patrick MacLachlan, Troop 18
Andover: Michael Chan, Luke Delisio, Eric Lee and Alexander Macheras, Troop 79; Christopher Crane, Troop 73; Michael Kelley, Troop 75; Robert King, Thomas Fuerst, Stephen Moore, Troop 76; Andrew Dwyer, Michael Geraci and Alexander Lennon, Michael Nickerson and Eric Simpson, Troop 77; and Shawn Noonan and Dante Smith, Troop 79
North Andover: Sean McArdle, Troop 82; Christopher Sharpe, Troop 15; and Vincent Terranova, Troop 82.
Methuen: Peter Clancy and Sean Clancy, Troop 96; Kyle Dumais and Ruben Reyes, Troop 51; John Mosley and Michael Sprague, Troop 53; Jay Smith, Troop 60; and Terrance Taylor, Troop 96.
Georgetown: Dean Antonio and Andrew Coolidge, Troop 51
Haverhill: Marccus Hosman, Troop 12; Joseph Martin, Troop 27; and Lucas Padilla and Daniel Plouffe, Troop 1
Bradford: Cole Bowden, Troop 11
Plaistow: William Horton III and Andrew Smith, Troop 18
Hampstead: Gareth Clarke, Sean Kelly and Matthew Lovell, Troop 33
Kingston: Gregory Gainty, Troop 93ÔÇæÔÇæÔÇæ
