Team members honored for heroism, innovation | |
Various State of Missouri employees, their families and members of executive leadership gathered at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City on June 27 to honor those who answered the call to service and showed true leadership. | |
Left to right: Central District Intermediate Maintenance Worker Hunter Wissbaum, Senior Maintenance Worker Ed Randolph and Director Patrick McKenna. | |
Central District Senior Maintenance Worker Ed Randolph and Intermediate Maintenance Worker Hunter Wissbaum received State Employee of the Month honors for their heroism. While at work on a mobile patching operation on Route 5 in central Missouri, they heard cries for help coming from a nearby house. Randolph ran toward the home and discovered a 3-year-old boy and his grandmother being attacked by a dog. | |
With the help of Wissbaum, the men were able to restrain the dog and stop the attack. They then contacted emergency services and stayed with the family until help arrived. The child was life-flighted to a hospital in Kansas City, is home now, and is expected to make a full recovery. | |
St. Louis District Senior Highway Designer Glenn Konersmann was also honored at the event with the State Employee Award of Distinction for Public Service. Konersmann developed a process that capitalizes on MoDOT’s innovative nature, bringing in additional funding through a Federal Highway Administration program. The Every Day Counts Initiative contributes an additional 5% in the way of federal funds toward innovative projects. By determining that MoDOT was not maximizing all the benefits of this program, Konersmann and the team he led were approved for over $20 million in savings and reimbursements. Once this process is fully implemented, MoDOT could be eligible for up to $100 million per year through the program. | |
St. Louis District Senior Highway Designer Glenn Konersmann (left) and Director Patrick McKenna. | |
Through their heroic acts and dedication to innovation, Randolph, Wissbaum and Konersmann embody what it means to be public servants. | |
Service Desk Plus - coming in hot! | |
It might be hot outside, but that doesn’t mean you have to sweat through tech issues!
Information Systems is about a month away from the launch of Service Desk Plus, the new self-service portal that will make requesting Service Desk help easier than ever. With SD Plus you’ll be able to:
- Report issues.
- Request equipment, software and other services.
- Search for solutions to problems you are experiencing.
| You’ll also be able to view the progress of your requests through the “My Summary” section and view messages in the “Announcements” column, as seen in the graphic above. Templates will be available to make submitting requests fast and easy, as this will be the main method for doing so. | |
Reminder: Leadership Development Rule update | |
Effective June 30, changes were made to Personnel Policy 6505, "Employee Training."
- Changed yearly Leadership Development Rule training requirement for supervisors from 52 hours to 40 hours per year in accordance with CSR 20-6.010 revision.
- Updated required forms and attachments in accordance with current practices.
| |
|
MMS featured in AASHTO podcast | |
|
On June 23, the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials released an episode of their podcast, "SICOP Talks Winter Ops," featuring Mike Middleton, project director for the MoDOT Management System, as well as Chief Safety & Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth.
In this episode, titled "The MoDOT Management System - the next generation," Middleton discusses the development and implementation of MMS, highlighting how having a one-stop shop like MMS in place is invaluable for MoDOT and agencies alike.
Middleton discusses details such as system developments, system functions, the Safety module and more. To listen to the 45-minute episode, click here and look for Episode 73.
| |
Lost kitten finds refuge at Central Office | |
|
On the morning of June 29, Senior Communications Specialist Bethany Belt heard the cries of a kitten outside the Communications office windows. When she looked out to investigate, she discovered a two-day-old kitten alone in a drainage ditch against the building.
Belt, along with Communications Specialist Justin Wright, went outside to investigate further. “We looked around for the rest of the litter or the mother, but he was all alone,” Belt said. “It was already 90 degrees out and was going to be well over 100 – I just couldn’t leave him!”
Belt wrapped the kitten in a shirt and brought him inside. He was strong, active, very vocal and hungry. Wright was able to reach People Helping Paws Cat Rescue, a local nonprofit organization, for help. While they waited for the volunteer from the organization to arrive, the kitten received lots of love and comfort from the Communications team. They continued keeping an eye out in case the mother came back before the volunteer arrived.
While the team waited with the kitten, they decided his name would be Mo - nicknamed Mighty Mo. If it had been a girl, they would have named her Dot.
Within half an hour, the volunteer arrived to take Mo and get him the help and supplies he needed. The volunteer followed up with the team after getting Mo settled in, saying he was eating and doing well.
| |
The two-day-old kitten, Mo, settles in at People Helping Paws Cat Rescue, with a new cat friend, Nacho, coming to comfort him. Mo was very eager to eat! Photos courtesy of People Helping Paws. | |
|
Besides being a great way for family members to connect, eating meals together also helps teach children which foods are good for them and how much they should eat. Studies show that family meals have many other positive effects on children, including:
- Higher intake of essential nutrients.
- Less snacking on unhealthy foods.
- Positive effects on the learning processes, including increased focus, better school performance, improved language skills development and a higher level of vocabulary.
- Reduced depression and anxiety.
- More positive sense of self.
- Better resistance to negative peer pressure.
- Less likelihood of using alcohol or drugs.
Family meals are a great time to provide excellent examples of values and manners to your children. It is as easy as displaying the manners yourself and sharing stories that demonstrate the values you place importance on.
For even more benefits, get your kids involved in shopping for and preparing family meals. Cooking builds self-esteem and teaches important skills, such as math, reading, science and fine motor abilities. In the kitchen, you can experience quality time together, create closer bonds and cherished memories—and improve the quality of your meals at the same time.
| |
Kansas City celebrates I-29 groundbreaking | |
Missouri Highways & Transportation Commissioner Warren Erdman addresses attendees at the I-29 and Mexico City Ave./KCI 29 Logistics Park groundbreaking ceremony. | |
|
On June 21, the Kansas City District, along with Gov. Mike Parson, Missouri Department of Economic Development (MoDED), the City of Kansas City, Mo, Port KC and Hunt Midwest, celebrated interchange improvements at Interstate 29 and Mexico City Avenue in Platte County at a groundbreaking ceremony.
The ceremony, hosted by Hunt Midwest, also celebrated a new logistics park development, made possible thanks to a public-private partnering effort, located near the interchange improvement project.
| |
More than $2.5 million from the Governor’s Transportation Cost-Share program was dedicated to make improvements to the I-29 and Mexico City Ave. interchange near the associated development project. The improved interchange will see signal and turn-lane enhancements and additions. The improvements will also enhance the transportation network in the area, support the new KCI Airport terminal and provide better access to the KCI Airport. | |
|
Featured speakers included Gov. Mike Parson, Missouri Highways & Transportation Commissioner Warren Erdman, Acting Director of the MoDED Michelle Hataway, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, President and CEO of Port KC Jon Stephens, and President and CEO of Hunt Midwest Ora Reynolds.
Commissioner Erdman included the following as part of his message: “The shared cost of $3.8 million on the interchange improvement project will be able to handle traffic volumes 10 times what currently exists, allowing for one of the largest development projects in the region.”
| |
Left to right: Kansas City District Area Engineer Ben McCabe, Kansas City Traffic Intern Zane Lohman, Intermediate Traffic Studies Specialist Brittany Saathoff, Chief Engineer/Deputy Director Ed Hassinger, Missouri Highways & Transportation Commissioner Warren Erdman, Commission Chair Terry Ecker, Commission Vice Chair Dustin Boatwright and Kansas City District Engineer Chris Redline. | |
Upcoming public meeting in Cape Girardeau County | |
The existing structure on Route Z near Gordonville to be replaced over Hubble Creek Overflow. | |
|
MoDOT’s project team will soon share information with Southeast District travelers about an upcoming box culvert and bridge replacement on Route Z in Cape Girardeau County over Hubble Creek Overflow and Hubble Creek. The public meeting will be held from 4-6 p.m. on July 13 at Gordonville Elementary School.
The project includes replacing a box culvert and bridge, increasing each structure to accommodate two lanes of traffic.
| |
|
Construction could begin as early as spring 2025, with completion anticipated by fall 2026.
As work is underway, the roadway will be closed in the vicinity of the bridge and culvert. Drivers should seek alternative routes during the closures.
For more information, please visit modot.org/RouteZCape.
| |
Southern districts host Bring Your Child to Work Days | |
On June 15 and 26, Bring You Child to Work Day took place in the Southwest and Southeast districts, respectively. More than 75 children attended each district's event. | |
|
At the Southwest District office, attendees could have their pictures taken in front of a green screen while wearing different PPE gear, giant sunglasses and other wacky items and choose one of eight backgrounds for their picture. Other activities ranged from building a bridge, playing a bean bag toss game while wearing impaired driving goggles and sitting in a seat belt convincer, provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which simulates a low-impact vehicle collision to stress the importance of wearing a seat belt.
Southwest District's Traffic Division also set up a root beer stand where donations went toward the district's fallen workers memorial fund.
| Missouri State Highway Patrol's seat belt convincer. | “The main importance of this year’s event was to highlight the safety and importance of what we as MoDOT employees do every day” said Kirsty Little, Southwest District utilities manager. “My nephew’s favorite part of the day was getting to check out the highway patrol’s seatbelt convincer. He was able to better understand why it is always important to wear a seat belt in the car when traveling. He always wears his seat belt since his Aunt Kiki works at MoDOT and reminds him why he should always wear it.” | |  |
|
Southeast District activities were held at the Sikeston district office, Willow Springs maintenance facility and Poplar Bluff construction office.
The day’s activities included creating and decorating Barrel Bobs, creating stepping stones and building gumdrop bridges. Activities varied depending on location.
In addition to participating in fun-filled activities, the kids at the Sikeston office also received a visit from the Safety Sock Monkey, who shared tips for staying safe!
| Hayti Maintenance Supervisor Shannon Chidester and his son, Tristan, create a stepping stone at the Sikeston district office. | |
Thank you to the Southeast District employees who assisted in planning and scheduling activities to make this yearly event a success!
To view additional photos of the day's activities, click here.
| | |
Ben McCabe
Kansas City District Area Engineer
| |
Area Engineer Ben McCabe has been with MoDOT for 10 years and with several cities around the Kansas City area for more than 13 years. This experience helps his interpretation of issues and how to interact with internal and external partners.
McCabe has not experienced a “typical day,” as every day is different. “I coordinate with various MoDOT departments to find information, respond to a constituent or solve an issue,” said McCabe.
Following this, he spends a lot of time in communities developing relationships, explaining projects and being a listening ear. McCabe has been in his current role for 10 months, with his time split between the rural and north Kansas City AE positions.
There are many aspects he enjoys about his role. “I’m public-service oriented, and working with the MoDOT team and outside partners to solve problems is very satisfying for me. I look for small victories every day,” said McCabe.
The highlight of McCabe’s career so far is when a pavement failure associated with a truck stop opening took place north of Bates City. “Our team was able to work out a 50% cost share with the truck stop and get the pavement replaced within a few months from the issue arising,” said McCabe.
Outside of work, McCabe and his wife are working on renovating their home. “I’d call it a 5-to-10-year Capital Improvement Plan. I don’t really know what I’m doing, and it keeps us very busy,” said McCabe. He also enjoys bicycling, hiking and exercising.
Ben is excited to continue to serve the State of Missouri. “We really do have a lot of great people at MoDOT, and I get the blessing to work with them,” said McCabe.
| |
July service anniversaries | |
|
30 Years
Jennifer Butner NE
Trent Brooks CD
Kevin Vollet CO
25 Years
Heath Hartman NW
Sammy Hartung NE
Bryan Moots NE
Sean Unglesbee NE
Kent Worthington NE
Christopher Spears KC
Clarence Ray CD
Kenneth Mathews CD
Chunlei Wang SL
Mark Adams SW
Stephen McClellan SW
Gary Sanders SW
Kevin McGlothlin SW
| |
|
20 Years
David Tombleson NW
Rob Frese NE
Lyndell Greer SW
Ronald Jones II SW
Kevin Lemons SE
Kelly Wilson CO
15 Years
Brian Henson CD
Samuel Peifer SE
Houston Schooler CO
Jeffrey Cremer CO
10 Years
Adam Riley KC
Daniel Roeger CD
Jeffrey Chambers SL
John Mitchell SW
Aaron Distler CO
Brandon Denkler CO
Ryan Barnett CO
| |
|
5 Years
Chad Penn NE
David Cottingham SL
Tyler Honerkamp SL
Daniel Ludwig SW
Brent Geile SE
Cory Clark SE
David King SE
Joby Busch SE
John Crawford SE
Robert DeBrock SE
Thomas Wolfe SE
Kenneth Moyers CO
Jonathan Sowers CO
Ezekiel Hall CO
| |
|
The following active employees passed away:
John J. Lucas
CD - June 3
The following retirees passed away:
Scott D. Ward
CO – June 26
| |
|
Richard C. Daily
KC – June 22
Benjamin H. Parson, Jr.
KC – June 10
Tyrone Barnes
CD – June 21
Stephen E. Brown
CD – June 28
| |
|
Howard G. Wheeler
CD – June 20
Roger A. Borgmeyer
SL – June 23
Max L. Helms
SW – June 17
Rickie E. Hutcheson
SE – May 23
| |
|
The mission of Connections is to be a source of MoDOT news
and feature articles that connect employees statewide.
| |
|
Comments
What would you like to see in Connections?
We want to hear from you!
Send comments and suggestions to:
bethany.belt@modot.mo.gov
| |
|
MoDOT Communications
P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-2840 | www.modot.org
Editor: Sr. Communications Specialist Bethany Belt
| | | | |
