MoDOT honors fallen workers | |
Director McKenna speaks at the Central Office Day of Remembrance ceremony. View more Central Office event photos here on Flickr. | |
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On Sept. 21, MoDOT's Central Office and seven districts across the state held their annual Day of Remembrance ceremonies to recognize and honor MoDOT's 139 fallen workers. It marked the 11th ceremony for the statewide memorial at Central Office.
In addition to the gathering of employees at the Central Office Fallen Worker Memorial, the Central Office ceremony was live-streamed on MoDOT's website in order to allow employees and family members to attend virtually.
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Speakers included Equal Opportunity & Diversity Manager Jean Nougues, Director Patrick McKenna, State Maintenance Director Natalie Roark and Chief Safety & Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth. | |
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Sadly, MoDOT must add one employee to the memorial this year - Southwest District Senior Equipment Technician Charles Eugene "Charlie" Toler.
On July 24, Toler was performing mechanical work on an oil distributer when he was killed in a vehicular crash on Route V one mile west of Mount Vernon.
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Co-workers, family and friends gather at the Southwest District Day of Remembrance ceremony. | |
During the Southwest District ceremony, employees, their families and the community gathered to pay tribute. Speakers included Missouri Highways & Transportation Commissioner Gregg Smith, District Engineer Stacy Reese and Sherry Crain, the mother of fallen worker William L. Crain II. | |
Central District Engineer Machelle Watkins and Assistant District Engineer Randy Aulbur led the Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Central District Fallen Worker Memorial. Dressed in PPE, those who read the names of the fallen workers lined up along the sidewalk for the conclusion of the ceremony and the playing of Taps. | Photos of the Kansas City event are also available here on Flickr. | |
Highway Safety & Traffic Conference | |
The Missouri Highway Safety and Traffic Conference in Columbia brought in hundreds of safety advocates from all across Missouri. With a primary focus on education, enforcement, engineering and emergency response, the many safety challenges that Missouri travelers face are continuing to be addressed. | |
MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna and Missouri State Highway Patrol Lt. Colonel David Flannigan welcomed over 500 attendees to the conference, where speakers shared powerful personal stories and promoted innovative behavioral and infrastructure solutions. The conference serves as an annual reminder and motivation for the important work of so many people across Missouri to save lives. | |
State Highway Safety & Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood speaks at the Highway Safety & Traffic Conference while the Buckle Up Phone Down state law sign is unveiled in celebration of the passing of the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law. | |
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Among the practices, ideas and discussions, Missouri’s new hands-free law, a presentation on the I-70 three-lane expansion and the importance of community partnerships were just a few key highlights for conferencegoers. These highlights also support Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, which seeks to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on Missouri roadways by focusing on four key areas: occupant protection, distracted driving, speed and aggressive driving, and impaired driving. This multi-faceted approach promotes a shared responsibility to create safer roadways based on a simple idea: no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.
Achieving zero fatalities on Missouri roads is possible but changing the landscape of traffic safety in Missouri requires contributions from every person who uses the transportation system. To learn more about Show-Me Zero and view the full plan, click here.
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MoDOT engineers recognized for accomplishments | |
On Sept. 15, the University of Missouri inducted MoDOT's Brandi Baldwin, Jen Harper and Jon Nelson into the Civil & Environmental Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni at the university department's annual banquet. | |
Assistant to the State Highway Safety & Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson (left), Research Director Jen Harper (center) and State Construction & Materials Engineer Brandi Baldwin (third from right) with their fellow inductees. | |
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Baldwin joined MoDOT in 2005 after graduating from the University of Missouri and currently serves as the state construction and materials engineer. She is responsible for providing policy, guidelines and support for administration and inspection of all construction contracts on the state highway system.
Harper started her career with MoDOT more than 20 years ago. She graduated from Central Methodist University with an interdisciplinary degree in mathematics, psychology and education and received a Bachelor's of Science in civil engineering from the University of Missouri. Currently serving as research director, Harper leads a team to coordinate research projects throughout the department. She is the MoDOT representative for the AASHTO Research Advisory Council and the Transportation Research Board.
Nelson has worked for MoDOT since graduating from the University of Missouri in 2003. He currently serves as the assistant to the state highway safety and traffic engineer and helps champion the department's highway safety efforts with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities on Missouri roadways. Nelson frequently collaborates with partners throughout the state as well as the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to implement both infrastructure and behavioral solutions for improving highway safety.
The academy was established in 1998 by the MU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and an active group of civil engineering alumni. The purpose is to honor outstanding graduates and distinguished friends of university department. Election to the Academy recognizes outstanding achievement, excellence and leadership in engineering and civil affairs.
Congratulations, Baldwin, Harper and Nelson, on your inductions!
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In lieu of the annual HYPE Summit, this year a HYPE Meet & Greet event was hosted on on Sept. 20 to raise awareness and encourage participation of employees across the state.
HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Engage) is an Employee Resource Group aimed at the goal of giving young professionals the opportunity to network and connect with colleagues, and also provide a platform to develop leadership skills. The group meets virtually at least quarterly, with a yearly in-person gathering. Meetings consist of networking activities, webinars and other learning opportunities.
During this year’s HYPE Meet & Greet, participants heard advice from MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna and Equal Opportunity & Diversity Director Andria Hendricks, partook in networking activities and listened to current HYPE members Taylor Brune, Alec Schlotzhauer and Lairyn McGregor speak about the positive impacts the group has had on their professional careers.
Those interested in joining HYPE may do so by entering their information into the HYPE Membership Database. After signing up, members will begin receiving communications on upcoming meetings and events. At end of the year, members elect a new board of officers so get involved today to shape the future!
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Wondr Health now taking applications! | |
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MoDOT and MSHP are inviting you to participate in Wondr™, a digital health program helping people to lose weight and improve their whole health. And it’s available to you at no cost, if eligible.
Looking for something simple to help you look and feel your best for the rest of your life?
Wondr makes it easy for you. There are no strict diets, calorie counting or exercise equipment needed. It's a straightforward, skills-based solution that provides simple, sustainable, life-long results.
The program is available 24/7 through the mobile app and online community, WondrLink™, where you can access curriculum and connect with online health coaches and participants anytime, anywhere.
Applications close Oct. 1, 2023. Don't wait. Space may be limited!
Visit wondrhealth.com/modot-mshp to apply now.
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Northwest District attends emergency training | |
Cooper Nuclear Station. Photo courtesy of Nebraska Public Power District. | |
On Aug. 29, Maintenance Supervisor Jason Brown and Assistant Maintenance Supervisor Brian Hall attended the annual emergency exercise training for the Cooper Nuclear Station. The event, hosted by Atchison County 911, provided training to maintain the health and safety of those in the area in the case of a radiological emergency at the site. The nuclear station has been in operation in Brownsville, NE, since the 1970s. The safety training event is held annually. | |
Child Passenger Safety Week recap | |
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In the Southeast District, Child Passenger Safety Technicians from the Poplar Bluff Fire Department and South Central Missouri Community Action Agency participated in National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 23 by conducting 13 child safety seat checks.
Eight new car seats were also given to families in need.
Car seat check events were held in several other cities throughout the district during Child Passenger Safety Week.
Altogether, 59 families were educated on car seat safety and 51 donated car seats were distributed.
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Child Passenger Safety Technicians perform a child safety seat check for the National Seat Check Saturday event on Sept. 23. | |
Kansas City celebrates long-term service awards | |
On Sept. 20, the Kansas City district's long-term service award event took place at Jess and Jim’s Steak House. Recipients enjoyed a meal together as they took time to reflect on their service and accomplishments at MoDOT. | |
Jose Rodriguez
Northwest District Area Engineer
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Jose Rodriguez enjoys working at MoDOT so much, he decided to do it twice. From 2001 to 2017, he worked in various positions in traffic and returned in May 2023 as an area engineer.
During his MoDOT hiatus, Rodriguez worked for an outside engineering consultant doing traffic engineering and municipal design. This experience helped prepare him for his role as area engineer by being able to see things from an outside perspective.
“It helps to see things from both sides and not only where MoDOT is coming from, but also the general public,” he said.
As area engineer, Rodriguez meets with elected officials from counties and cities to discuss concerns, local projects, funding opportunities to help with local issues and communicate MoDOT’s STIP. His favorite thing about his job is meeting with people and talking about the progress MoDOT has made to fix local roads and bridges.
The people and the relationships he made during his 16 years in traffic were a huge push in Rodriguez deciding to come back to MoDOT.
“Mostly everyone is easy to get along with, so that makes for a more enjoyable workplace,” he said.
Within the short time that he’s been back at MoDOT, Rodriguez said being a measurement driver at Tracker and presenting at the quarterly meeting has been a highlight so far.
Rodriguez grew up in California, where he attended Fresno State University. After his first year, he moved to Nebraska where he met his wife. They moved back to California, and Rodriguez graduated college. Upon considering offers in California and MoDOT, Rodriguez and his wife decided Missouri was the better choice for their family.
Outside of work, Rodriguez enjoys volunteering with his church, spending time with family and watching the San Francisco 49ers.
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Northwest District
Gregory Page 21
Michael Purdy 26
Northeast District
Michael Lorigan 20
John Buck 28
Philip Sandifer 31
Central Office
Dennis Peterson 13
Shelie Daniel 28
Michael Meinkoth 30
Bruce Heerboth 17
Eric Curtit 28
Darrell Knierim 33
James Whaley 22
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Central District
Ruth Falter 26
Karl Davenport 36
Kimberly Tipton 31
Michael Hall 18
Earl Woolard 13
Virginia Hird 30
Glen Lutz 22
Matthew Malone 28
Glen Cary 29
St. Louis District
Charles Rhodes 16
Robert Frazier 15
Marcus Hall 26
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Southwest District
Lloyd Coffer 22
Southeast District
Shelly Cauldwell 32
L. Linn Davault 31
Andrew Meyer 28
Shawn Lalumondiere 28
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The mission of Connections is to be a source of MoDOT news
and feature articles that connect employees statewide.
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bethany.belt@modot.mo.gov
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MoDOT Communications
P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-2840 | www.modot.org
Editor: Sr. Communications Specialist Bethany Belt
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