HAMPTON ROADS DISTRICT NEWSLETTER March 2017
BetweentheLines INSIDE THIS ISSUE
VDOT Proudly Shows Off its New Rest Area I-95 North in Skippers, Va.
Virginia rolled out the welcome mat on March 16, 2017 at its new safety rest area and welcome center located on I-95 Northbound in Skippers (Greensville Co.)
Technician of the Year: Bruce Satterwhite PAGE 2
3 Generations at VDOT PAGE 4
Work Zone Awareness Week April 3 - 7 PAGE 7
The more than 1.3 million people who visit the Skippers Safety Rest Area will also discover new amenities including 18 USB ports and nine electrical outlets to charge cell phones in a central seating area. Six vending machines and 18 outdoor picnic tables also invite tourists to make a comfort stop.
Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne and VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick joined Hampton Roads District Administrator Jim Utterback, state tourism representatives, state and local elected officials and visitors for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The modern facility is energy efficient and designed to meet LEED Silver reThe Skippers Safety Rest Area is the last quirements from the U.S. Green Buildof three renovations that occurred in ing Council. the past year at some of the commonwealth’s oldest and smallest rest areas, The Welcome Center is staffed by the along I-95. The original 5,000 square Virginia Tourism Corporation. foot site was demolished and replaced with a 9,400 square foot modern build- Transportation Secretary Layne told ing featuring 42 toilet fixtures, includ- those gathered for the grand reopening child-size toilet fixtures and chang- ing ceremony that “rest areas are a ing tables in restrooms. Continued on page 3
The Rapture of Raptor Watching
VDOT Hampton Roads District
By Nina Napolitano, Senior Communications Specialist Three osprey pairs have made homes at the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry facilities or along the ferry’s river route this year. That’s exciting news for Virginia Master Naturalist Joni Carlson. Several times a week, the Jamestown Settlement tour guide monitors the raptors on her commute. Carlson says she began watching ospreys this year but her childhood in Maryland led to lifelong love for the Chesapeake Bay and native wildlife.
“This was part of my DNA,” she said. From the ferry facility and boats, she documents the birds’ activity and reports to Osprey-Watch.org, an online community of volunteers tracking osprey behavior throughout the world. Her three nests are a fraction of more than 6,100 under observation right now. Carlson hopes the data she collects will help scientists studying local habitats and ecosystems. “It’s not just personally enjoying something,” said Carlson. “You’re doing something that ultimately has a purpose. That matters.” Click to view video
A ccomac ’ s B ruce S atterwhite : T echnician of the Y ear for P ublic F leets
By Tiffany Whitfield, Senior Communications Specialist
Bruce Satterwhite works as a technician in the Hampton Roads District’s Accomac Shop, where you can find him welding, fabricating parts or working on any piece of equipment. On Jan. 24, District Equipment Manager John Wilson surprised Bruce at the Accomac Residency and announced he won “Technician of the Year for Public Fleets,” an honor awarded by the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP). Bruce’s supervisor Gary Lewis said Bruce is one of the best technicians he’s ever worked with. Bruce will travel to Las Vegas in March to be formally recognized during a special luncheon at the AEMP’s 35th Management Conference and Annual Meeting. Congratulations to Bruce for his national recognition and doing his part to keep Virginia moving. Click to view video
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Bruce Satterwhite was awarded “Technician of the Year for Public Fleets” by the Association Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP).
VDOT Hampton Roads District
New Skippers Rest Area, continued highly visible expression of our hospitality in Virginia. “ And, Commissioner Kilpatrick was proud to announce the three newly reopened rest areas all finished “ahead of schedule and under budget.” District Administrator Jim Utterback said, “VDOT has much to be proud of because the Skippers Rest Area is a good success story, is a nice family-friendly facility and it’s the first facility visitors see when they cross into Virginia.” The other two rest areas previously reopened to the public are on I-95 north and southbound in Ladysmith, Va.
Three Generations Have Helped “Keep Virginia Moving” By Nina Napolitano, Senior Communications Specialist The year was 1947. Mark Culbertson working at a cemetery and delivering papers when, in search of something “unusual” to do, he added a VDOT job to his schedule: Survey Party 32.
Mark says he’s proud of his legacy: three generations in transportation and “the best job you could have.”
“All-around good times,” Culbertson recalled recently, smiling at memories like his brush with a snake and working on notorious roads that he helped make safer. In 1976, Mark’s son Lee needed a job. Once again, VDOT called with an opportunity – again in surveying. By 1989, Lee had worked up to party chief of Survey Party 32 – his father’s old crew. He now works in maintenance and recently celebrated more than 40 years at VDOT. The family pipeline didn’t stop there. Last year, Lee’s son Shane began working with VDOT in records retention. Click to view video
Culbertson crew
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VDOT Hampton Roads District
L eadership D evelopment P rogram for S upervisors G raduates C lasses By Tiffany Whitfield, Senior Communications Specialist There were 15 supervisors from the Hampton Roads District who participated in VDOT’s Leadership Development Program for Supervisors (LDP-S) in 2016. The emerging leaders used online, instructor-led courses integrated with leadership panel discussions and coaching to assist the supervisors in acquiring the skills and competencies necessary to become an effective VDOT leader. This program provides participants opportunities to learn from other supervisors and practice new skills, by expanding their professional network to ultimately bring out
the best in their departmental teams. During their graduation, the 60 LDP-S participants from around the Commonwealth commemorated their nine-month program as VDOT Agency leaders challenged the graduates to take what they’ve learned and help keep Virginia moving. For more information about the Leadership Development Program for Teammates and Supervisors, contact your manager or Lisa Iorga, Hampton Roads District Training Manager, at 925-2521 or via email at Lisa.Iorga@vdot.virginia.gov.
Statewide Cohort 6
Hampton Roads’ Cohort 6 Graduating Class Karen Bourne – Program Director Mike Kowalik – Bridge Tunnel Manager Tyler Marsh – TOM I (Accomac) Jerry Pruyne – District Roadside Manager Jonathan Bryant – TOM I (Franklin) Joshua Hall – TOM I (Franklin) Jason Rook – TOM I (Franklin)
Statewide Cohort 6A
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Hampton Roads’ Cohort 6A Graduating Class Sonya Hallums-Ponton – Program Manager James Shank – Equipment Service & Repair Manager Angela Biney – Planning Specialist Kim Cook – Contract Administrator Tracy Mason – Supervisor, Bridge Tunnel Andy McGilvray – District Pavement Manager Rob McNemar – TOM I (Williamsburg) Keith Snead – TOM I (Williamsburg)
VDOT Hampton Roads District
VDOT I ntroduces S mart S cale D ashboard By Shellee Casiello, Communications Specialist SMART SCALE is about investing limited tax dollars in the right projects that meet the most critical transportation needs in Virginia. Transportation projects are scored based on an objective, outcomebased process that is transparent to the public and allows decision-makers to be held accountable to taxpayers. Once projects are scored and prioritized, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has the best information possible to select the right projects for funding. For more information visit: vasmartscale.org
VDOT L eadership E nhancement and D evelopment (LEAD) P rogram
Wes Ripley (Jamestown-Scotland Ferry Facility Manager) and Chris Eggleston (District Structure and Bridge Engineer) visited the state capitol in Richmond on February 2, 2017 as participants in VDOT’s Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) program. Learning about state government and how the General Assembly operates is one of several assignments and site visits during the program.
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VDOT Hampton Roads District
VDOT Provides Leadership Training at Local ASHE Meeting By John G. Harman, Hydraulic Engineer
Lisa M. Iorga,training manager for VDOT Hampton Roads District, was the guest presenter at a recent American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) Greater Hampton Roads meeting in Chesapeake. She presented key elements of the “Situational Leadership II” training to the ASHE consultants and VDOT members in the room. She consolidated the day-and-a-half workshop into 45 minutes. The presentation included developing competence, gaining commitment and retaining talent from employees. Lisa obtained feedback from the audience during the presentation. Handouts from the Ken Blanchard training materials were distributed. “ASHE, the American Society of Highway Engineers, provides a forum for members and partners of the highway industry to promote a safe, efficient and sustainable transportation system through education, innovation and fellowship.” www.ashe.pro
H ampton R oads R emembers D r . K ing By Tiffany Whitfield, Senior Communications Specialist The Hampton Roads District commemorated its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance and Day of Service on Monday, January 23. Many employees from around the district participated. District Administrator Jim Utterback said, “Dr. King taught us that everyone has a role in making America great.” Civil Rights Manager Queen Crittendon and her team made the event educational and entertaining. The District Chorus performed three uplifting selections about unity, love and patriotism. Guest speaker Richard James, a Tidewater Community College professor, explained how Dr. King’s work is relevant even in 2017. Dr. Lauranett Lee of the Virginia Assembly’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission said Dr. King
L to R: Queen Crittendon, Jennifer DesRoche (EBA), Andy McLaughlin (EBA), Angela Reid (EBA), Jim Utterback 6
attended two rallies in Suffolk, the first in 1963 before his March on Washington and the second in 1968 before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee. In the spirit of Dr. King’s commitment to public service, the Hampton Roads District will support Habitat for Humanity’s June Blitz Build program. Participants will help build several homes in one week for Suffolk residents. Also, Andy McLaughlin received the 2017 Hampton Roads District Volunteer Service Award for his dedication in leading the Employee Benefits Association and one of their annual service projects is the Toys-for-Tots drive held in December. The essence of Dr. King’s dream was realized for everyone who attended the Dr. King Observance and Day of Service.
Click to view video
L to R: Teunsha Vick (Habitat for Humanity), Queen Crittendon, LaToya Hyler (Habitat for Humanity), Jim Utterback
VDOT Hampton Roads District
I-95 T ravel C enter S ponsors F our D istrict T rucks
By Dave Forster, Senior Communications Specialist Two District locations near the I-95 corridor will soon join The process was opened to prospective sponsors and an initiative to generate revenue for VDOT through the included outreach through mailers and email. Ultimately, sponsorship of Department vehicles. more than 250 interested vendors received notice for the opportunity to sponsor vehicles in Richmond and along The Emporia and Stony Creek Area Headquarters will the I-95 corridor. each have two pickups sporting a 24-inch-by-24-inch decal for Davis Travel Centers by the end of March. VDOT’s An online auction in January determined the winning Asset Management Division began working on the bidders. The first two sponsorship auctions, including the sponsorship idea in 2016. one involving the Hampton Roads vehicles, will bring
in about $9,000 each, said Angela Quinn, assistant division administrator in Asset Management. The intent is to send the revenue to the home district. More such arrangements in Hampton Roads and other districts are likely, as Quinn said this is just the start of the program. “We expect vehicle sponsorships to really start ‘rolling in’ over the next six months!” she said by email.
Work Zone Awareness Week is April 3 - 7 Work Zone Awareness Week is a national campaign to help increase public awareness of highway work zones and the hundreds of men, women and children killed in work zone crashes each year. Work Zone Awareness Week began in Virginia when a VDOT employee had an idea to raise public awareness of the hazards associated with highway work zones. VDOT’s Annual Work Zone Awareness Week Vigil Tuesday, April 4, 6:30 p.m. VDOT Workers’ Memorial The memorial is located off Interstate 64 on Afton Mountain, about 25 miles west of Charlottesville. Go Orange Day - Show your support for Work Zone Awareness and wear your orange attire. Wednesday, April 5 Show your support on social media with hashtags: #OrangeforSafety #NWZAW
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VDOT Hampton Roads District
I just want to let you all know that I am really impressed with how well the roads between Boykins and Capron have been cleared. I drive down 35 to 58 to get to Capron to work at the Jail Farm (Southampton County Sheriff Office). I moved here from Michigan 8 years ago, and I am really impressed with how well those two roads have been cleaned. I know from driving up in Michigan how hard it is to get the roads clear, and for you all to do it with very little practice is pretty amazing. Not to mention, getting 58 right down to asphalt. Well done, now, if you could just get to the secondary roads so my wife can get back to teaching the school children, that would be fantastic. Again, great job, and I hope you can share this with the plow drivers. Thanks for all you do to make the roads passable. Benjamin M., Southampton
Word
on the Street We just want to say our deepest gratitude to our angel, Mr. Carter, Truck No SER667B, who helped us replace our tire. We were on our way home, travelling along I-64W when our left front tire burst! Mr. Carter helped us, from the removal of the tire to its replacement, using our spare tire. He went straight to work, efficient and gracious at the same time, fulfilling his duties without any complaint of the cold Norfolk wind. Thank you so much for this service. We experienced this service on January 8, 2017, Sunday, between 4:35pm and 5:35pm, Exit 276A (I-64W), Norfolk, VA. Kindly express our gratitude to Mr. Carter again. We wish him and his family all the blessings in this new year. -Maila H., Newport News
I just wanted to send a special thank you to Mr. Rob Williams a team member of VDOT. He came to my rescue this morning just outside of the MMBT when my tire was sliced by ice on the roads. I understand that he was “doing his job”, but he did it with a smile and gracious attitude. He was efficient and proficient. I was grateful for his presence and help. Thank you Mr. Rob Williams!! -Tiffany B., Newport News While our area sustained lighter snow, we just wanted to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for keeping our roads clear! This is our first experience with snowy and icy roads, so having them cleared by the time we needed to travel on them was a wonderful and extremely appreciative time! And one of your plow drivers was appreciative of our appreciation when we waved and gave him the “shaka” sign for our Aloha! Thank you to VDOT! -Lynette & Dennis H., Chesapeake
Kudos to York County for taking care of our roads so quickly after a major snow storm. I heeded the calls to stay off the roads on Sat and Sun and when I went out very early on Monday I had no trouble until I hit Hampton and today Newport News. I work with people from Gloucester, Newport News and Hampton and it was very evident that York County roads were the best. Many comments were made and I just wanted to pass it on. Gail Z., York County 8
Good evening! I wanted to contact VDOT after having a flat tire on the HRBT today with my family. Our van was not supplied with a spare and we were unable to fix our flat without being towed off of the road and to a repair shop. I am so impressed by the wonderful hospitality and quick response by Patrolman Eric Walsh and everyone at the VDOT site right before the tunnel. I am so grateful for them getting us away from traffic so quickly and being so kind to not only my husband and I, but our three and four year old as well. They let us wait for our tow truck and for a friend to come and pick us up. It was so nice to talk with everyone during the wait and learn more about the VDOT system. I am so glad to learn that your workers and so happy to assist motorists during a time of need. It made a normally stressful situation feel so easy and almost like a fun adventure for our kids. Thank you so much!! Sarah D.
VDOT Hampton Roads District
A Historical Find: The Fulton Tunnel Car By Bethanie Glover, VDOT Communications-Richmond
Workers recovered a piece of VDOT history when examining the antiquated VDOT Fulton facility in Richmond. The facility, scheduled to be demolished later this year, housed the pictured tunnel rail car that was used for about two years in the early 1990s to transport tunnel guards to and from their work locations in the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT). The car was built by the former Equipment Division at Fulton to run along a live rail and to
fit inside the elevators in the ventilation buildings of the bridge-tunnel. The rail car was the cutting edge for transporting tunnel guards at the time, standing at about six feet tall, 10 feet long and two feet wide. The car was cleaned and refreshed at the Richmond District Equipment shop, and was recently returned to its home at the MMMBT for posterity.
Training & Career Development Survey
By Lisa Iorga, District Training Manager & Keisha Cutler, District Training Coordinator
We welcome your feedback to help us better meet your training and development needs in Hampton Roads. Please click on this link: https://goo.gl/forms/atZN1zIcVptLVT4u2 to complete a brief survey (less than 5 min.) Thank You!
Read Between the Lines & Let Your Voice Be Heard Between the Lines is a monthly internal newsletter written for, by and about VDOT and its Hampton Roads employees. If you have an update, story or article idea that you’d like to share, send it our way! Articles, photos and ideas can be submitted to HamptonRoadsEBB@ vdot.virginia.gov.
Newsletter Editorial Staff VDOT Hampton Roads Public Affairs Paula Miller Dave Forster Between theNina Lines Tiffany Whitfield Napolitano 9 Brittany McBride Shellee Casiello
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Photos of the Month: D J D R
VDOT Hampton Roads District
ouble oy and
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ainbows
Photo credit: Robert Spry
Left: Camden Levi Keltner, born January 31st, 8 lbs. 13 oz. 21” long, proud papa is Derrick Keltner from Structure and Bridge. Center: photo taken over the George P. Coleman Bridge from Yorktownlooking north toward Gloucester Point. P.S. The colors of the upper arc are inverted. Right: Maddox Andrew Nichols, born January 13th, 7 lbs. 11 oz. 20.5” long to first time mama, Brittany Nichols of the Communications team.
Retirements:
Promotions:
Welcome New Hires:
Inbound & Outbound Warm welcomes, congratulations & fond farewells to VDOT Hampton Roads’ newest hires, promotions & retirees!
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Casey Allen, Fiscal Tech Jamestown-Scotland Ferry Bruno Anello, Operation SB Franklin Residency, Waverly AHQ LeeAnna Barker, Fiscal Tech Accomac Residency William Corbitt, Operations Maintenance Williamsburg Residency, Croaker AHQ Darius Hill, Operations Maintenance Trainee Franklin Residency, Waverly AHQ Sanjeev Howlander, Engineer Senior SB Hampton Roads District Office
Austin Jarratt, Operations Maintenance Franklin Residency Mark McClenny, Supervisor Maintenance Franklin Residency Nina Napolitano, Senior Comms Specialist Hampton Roads District Office Charles Parker, Operations Maintenance Accomac Residency Jacob Pope, Inspector Construction Hampton Roads District Office Tony Reynolds, Operator SB Hampton Roads District Office
Brooke Robinson, Admin Asst Hampton Roads District Office John Russel, Senior Survey Tech Hampton Roads District Office Ashley Stoll, Engineer SB Insp Moveable Hampton Roads District Office
Brian Buss, Facilities Specialist HRHT Arthur Echoles, Supervisor BT HRHT Dean Rea, Crew Leader BT HRHT
Theresa Taylor, Payroll Specialist Hampton Roads District Office Shannon Tingen, Business Coordinator Hampton Roads District Office Scott Travenski, Ferry Captain Jr. Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
Lee Wiggins, Supervisor BT HRHT Brian Williamson, Crew Leader BT HRHT
Joseph Boggs, Accomac Residency 18 Years of Service
Russell Dail, HRD Survey 32 Years of Service Larry Faulk, Windsor AHQ 32 Years of Service
Frederick Koehl, Williamsburg Residency 2.6 Years of Service
Reginald Grimes, Seaford AHQ 20 Years of Service
Roosevelt Winfield, Waverly AHQ 33 Years of Service
William Brinkley, HRD Mechanics 22 Years of Service Kenneth Carlisle, HRBT 27 Years of Service Raymond Culpepper, IMO 29 Years of Service
Susan Helvestine, HRD Construction 37 Years of Service
Keisha Wilkins, Planning Specialist Hampton Roads District Office Michael Williams, Land Survey Supervisor Hampton Roads District Office
Steve Rowan, Hampton Roads District 33 Years of Service