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| Eight employees receive top honors from MDOT
Contact:
Benjamin Kohrman 517-335-3084
Agency:
Transportation
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Editor's Note: Photos are available of all eight Director's Award recipients on MDOT's Web site. Download JPG files from http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9620_11145-120557--,00.html.
June 20, 2005 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) today announced the 2005 recipients of the MDOT Director's Award – the department's highest honor for outstanding service. For 20 years, the annual award has recognized those employees who are steadfastly focused on the department's goals, and who consistently perform above and beyond the call of duty.
This year's eight honorees work in locations as diverse as Escanaba and Grand Rapids, and serve in a variety of jobs, including a real estate analyst, a maintenance coordinator, and a design administrator.
"Each year, the Director's Award recipients represent some of the best of MDOT," said State Transportation Director Gloria J. Jeff. "Their hard work and dedication demonstrate a real commitment to quality, teamwork, customers and integrity. We are proud that these eight dedicated public servants are a part of Team MDOT."
The Director's Award program represents the various work categories within the department, representing the respective job responsibilities and levels. While nominations are made by MDOT employees, committees comprised of workers from each category make the final recommendations to the director.
The 2005 Director's Award winners (and their respective MDOT job categories) are:
• Joetta Parker (Professional, supervisor) is the section manager for the Staffing Support Area in the Office of Human Resources in Lansing. Parker takes the lead to resolve complex human resource projects, including efforts to develop classification changes. This past year, she coordinated research that resulted in ways to supplement winter maintenance help by means of an outreach to farmers interested in seasonal work, and the use of non-career employees to cover regular employees while on medical leave. She also has successfully established various critical job positions with the Department of Civil Service.
• Brian Zimmerman (Technical, non-supervisor) is the work zone technical administrator in the Construction and Technology Support Area in Lansing. When MDOT gave him the assignment to help make our work zones safer, Zimmerman accepted the challenge and has made a measurable difference in the quality and safety of Michigan's work zones. Today, he is widely recognized and respected as the statewide expert for work-zone traffic-control issues. He has developed a work-zone training program for the department, and now is working on a resource manual for engineers, technicians, and contractors to promote consistency and uniformity in work zone traffic control.
• Linda Mathieson (Administrative Support) is the region operations secretary in the Superior Region office. If there is work to be done, Mathieson will take charge and do it – even if it is not her job. When a void was created in the region clerical unit or administration, due to an employee retiring or transferring, she was the one who picked up those responsibilities. Mathieson also has taken the lead and assisted region and TSC clerks in meeting yearend reporting deadlines. Her positive attitude and tireless work ethic make her an example for her fellow employees.
• Mark Van Port Fleet (Official/Administrator) is the engineer of Design Support Services in Lansing. Van Port Fleet's can-do attitude and accountability are evidenced by the increased productivity and the positive attitudes among his staff. In response to the governor's call for Context Sensitive Design Solutions, he organized a statewide team to determine MDOT policy. Van Port Fleet also took the lead to review the Lansing Central Office's production needs. Unsatisfied with just one analysis, he corroborated the initial findings using two other methods. His work became the model for other divisions conducting similar analyses, earning him praise from the Office of the State Employer.
• Dan Robillard (Skilled Crafts & Labor/Safety, non-supervisor) is the maintenance coordinator in the Ishpeming TSC, Superior Region. Robillard, who was one of the first transportation maintenance coordinators in the state, has served as a mentor to many others, encouraging them and helping them reach their potential. When Robillard is in charge, you do not have to worry about getting it done. Not one to sit still for long, he is always working to find a solution for one situation and quickly moves on to the next.
• Verne Bodine (Professional, non-supervisor/non-specialist) is a property analyst in Real Estate in the Southwest Region office. Bodine was challenged to make a lateral move, without any financial incentive, in order to fill a critical job void created by the 1997 early retirement program. Bodine, who then worked in Design, accepted the challenge to be re-trained as a Real Estate property analyst. Thanks to his assistance, the Real Estate Unit was able to keep all projects on schedule. Later, when the department was undergoing decentralization, Bodine's design experience and real estate training combined to help him successfully address production issues that previously had been handled with some assistance from central office staff.
• Joan Simon (Professional, non-supervisor/specialist) is a performance consultant in the Performance Excellence Division within the Bureau of Finance & Administration, in Lansing. Simon, who always can be counted on to step up to a challenge, recently completed one of the department's most challenging partnering projects. As the lead consultant for MDOT's Critical Bridge Reengineering Project, Simon also dedicated many hours of her personal time to ensure that project's success.
• Brian Martin (Technical, supervisor) is the building trade supervisor for the Statewide Building Maintenance in Lansing. Martin is a risk taker who not only embraces new ideas, but expects success. He is very customer-oriented, consistently providing technical expertise and material resources with others outside his area. He motivates and inspires his staff of journey-level skilled trades workers, encouraging them to be achievers and to take pride in their work.
MDOT: Celebrating 100 years of transportation innovation, 1905-2005
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