Four PennDOT workers are honored
Four state Department of Transportation District 12 employees were recently honored as winners of the Secretary’s Star of Excellence Award. The awards are given annually to PennDOT personnel who exemplify extraordinary achievement, customer service and innovation within the district. District 12 includes the counties of Fayette, Greene Washington and Westmoreland.
This year’s winners are Shelda R. Bryan of the Greene County Maintenance Office; Loren Dukate, District Office Construction Unit; Phillip N. Sharpe, District Office Traffic Unit and Hugh H. Turner, Washington County Maintenance Office.
“These employees deserve this honor for all of their hard work and dedication to the department,” said District Engineer Michael H. Dufalla, P.E. “Each one of them routinely goes the extra mile to accomplish their job duties and give excellent customer service.”
The winners were honored recently at a ceremony in Pittsburgh.
Bryan is a 32-year employee in the Greene County office. She serves numerous committees including the County Wellness Committee; Safety Committee and as process owner on one of the county’s SAGA GAP closure teams and was the District 12 employee of the quarter.
She also serves on the statewide Maintenance Office Personnel Committee. She received a team excellence award as a member of the college of administration support. Community relations’ coordinator Valerie Petersen said Bryan is well liked throughout the department, she helps her coworkers and is available to help with any emergency situations that arise.
Dukate is a 37-year employee with varying supervision duties. He was the district’s nominee for the senior inspector in charge of the year for the 2001 conference.
Petersen said teamwork is the best description of how Dukate manages his projects. She said he is always accessible to contractors, subcontractors, designers, utility companies, residents, business owners and fellow employees. Dukate was described as very dedicated in making sure that the department gets quality work, and works hard to get the best possible project for the money available.
Sharpe had worked for the department for more than 30 years. He directly supervises four employees. He worked with a research team from West Virginia University to evaluate different median barrier delineation to improve nighttime driving patterns and behaviors and previously worked to implement a barrier delineation pattern specific to District 12. Petersen said his philosophy is lead by example. He and his staff coordinated an emergency detour and MPT plan during the emergency closure of the Saltsburg Bridge on Route 981 this past year.
Petersen said Sharpe is well respected and always available to answer questions and help. She said he is dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced and is the type of employee they are fortunate to have.
Turner has worked for the department for 18 years in Washington County.
He has a strong use of Roadway Weather information system and DGN technology to improve productivity throughout the county. He serves as Baldrige and SAGA examiner and has participated in EBAT 1 and 2. He worked on an agility project with the borough of Midway to crack seal a road for them and in return they used their Athey Broom on state roads.
Petersen said Turner has received sick leave and safety awards, as well as a customer appreciation letter. Also known as “Stretch,” he directs the Washington County SAGA efforts, is an MMTC committee member and MEDP committee. He is active in outside organizations and visits with senior citizens on a regular basis at the Presbyterian Medical Center.
In addition to the Star of Excellence winners, several employees were recognized with certificates of appreciation. They include: William L. Beaumariage, P.E., District Office, Bridge Unit; Deborah E. Farabee, Washington County Maintenance Office; Linda J. Fullem, Fayette County Maintenance Office; Douglas Pringle, Fayette County Maintenance Office; Darla L. Richter, District Office, Municipal Services; Constance A. Shoaf, Greene County Maintenance Office.