December 2014 Interchange

December 2014, Vol. 42, Issue 12

Learning Opportunities

Training Services presents many offerings

Letters

Motor Vehicle Services exemplary customer service Kristi (Pomeroy) and Deborah (Lopez), I would like to let you know that I just received fantastic customer service from one of your employees, Shannon Degrazio.

My husband was in quite a tizzy as we were notified by the state of Maryland about a video toll charge and the vehicle is not ours. I received the phone number for Shannon from the Laramie County auto licensing department.

Shannon was very upbeat and knew immediately what my problem was. She had me email her a copy of the notice of toll due and sent an immediate response, copying me with the letter she sent.

Shannon’s response was exemplary customer service and I sincerely appreciate not only the quick, efficient response, but her understanding and tone of voice let me know she really did know what I was talking about and what was needed.

And her response with a copy of the letter assures that if there are any other problems I know exactly what she did and can utilize that letter if I have to, plus have something for my records. My expectation was to be told there was nothing that could be done, and her response was a complete surprise-such a pleasant experience for an annoying problem.

It is my hope that this letter will be put in her file as an example of the fine work she does.

Barbara Brazzale

Interchange Total number of employees: as of October 30, 2014

1,959

One month ago

1,967

One year ago

2,003

Staff

Training at a Glance

WYDOT Director: John F. Cox

Date Class Dec. 4 The Work/Life Balancing Act Dec. 10 Asphalt Pavement Maintenance

WYDOT-U TLN WYDOT-U

Dec. 16-19 New Supervisors Orientation

WYDOT-U

December 2014

Contributors: Bruce Burrows Public Affairs Dave Kingham Public Affairs Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs Ross Doman District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Ronda Holwell District 4 Cody Beers District 5 Sgt. David Wagener Patrol Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

WYDOT-U

To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to Jim Boyd (777-4791), Kurt Borgaard (777-4792), or Rhonda DeLeeuw (777-4790). n

Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle

Location

Dec. 11 Strategic Planning

Jan. 12-14 New Employee Orientation

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Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT University and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN)

Coming up in January: Jan. 8 Managing Organizational Communication TLN

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Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents.

Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to: Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165, faxing (307) 777-4289, or sending email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

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DOT publication

Also in this issue:

Contents 7

Letters.....................................2 By the Numbers...................2 Training at a Glance............2

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District briefs.........................4 Noteworthy..........................12 District news.......................14 Awards..................................16 Rides......................................18

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Passings............................... 20 Extra Mile Awards............. 20

7 Winter driving tips

WTDEA..................................21 Break Time.......................... 23

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Driving near plows requires caution, patience

8 Patrol’s 86th class

Newly commissioned troopers take to the road

10 Learning opportunities abound

Classes and training options for every employee

17 Phishing scams on the rise Be sure to check out the online version of Interchange at http://issuu.com/wydot.pao, or click on the link found on the employee’s internal website home page.

Information from IT to avoid being scammed On the cover:

Snow-covered pines near the Pinnacles on U.S. 26-287.

Photo: Rick Carpenter, (lights strung by Carlie Van Winkle)

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District Briefs 2015 STIP available

Cheyenne – WYDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for 2015 is available for viewing.

The STIP contains a listing of highway and bridge projects, and also airport improvement work, that WYDOT tentatively expects to let to contract during the current fiscal year. The STIP is published annually and updates are issued quarterly.

The STIP documents, in PDF format, can be accessed on the WYDOT’s website (www.dot.state.wy.us) by clicking, in succession, the “Construction & Engineering” tab and then the line reading “STIP Project Listing.”

Printed copies of the 2015 STIP are located at WYDOT offices, libraries, and city and county government offices.

In addition to current year projects, the STIP includes a listing of planned transportation projects slated for future years, as well as a summary of pass-through funding for public transit programs throughout the state.

Highway projects are listed as either rural or urban, and are further broken down by functional classification; namely, Interstate, arterial, collector or local. The listings also note the general character of work, such as reconstruction, resurfacing, or bridge replacement.

WYDOT emphasizes that the STIP project listing is tentative and is revised in accordance with changes in funding levels and other issues which may arise during the advance project design phase.

HQ

Aeronautics Commission gathered for quarterly meeting Cheyenne – The Wyoming Aeronautics Commission conducted its quarterly meeting Nov. 21 and 22 in Cheyenne.

The meeting, which was open to the public, discussed its annual budget and conducted the Wyoming Aviation Capital Improvement Program workshop.

The seven commissioners, appointed

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by the governor for six-year terms, approve grants of state and federal money for airport construction, maintenance, improvements, marketing and air service enhancements.

They can also make loans to Wyoming counties, cities, towns and joint powers boards for construction, development and improvement of airport facilities that generate user fees.

Pass were encouraged to leave the area as road conditions continued to deteriorate.

The high elevation portion of these roadways are closed annually in late autumn when relatively low traffic, combined with increasing snow accumulations, make plowing operations impractical.

Before traveling on state highways with winter conditions, motorists are urged to visit www.wyoroad.info. Travelers may also call 511 within the state and get road condition updates.

Project to improve access to Highway Patrol building

Notice of speed reductions on WYO 59

Cheyenne – Work began in midNovember at WYDOT headquarters on a project to add an ADA compliant ramp to the front entrance of the Highway Patrol building.

Facilities Management advised that while the work was in progress, about six parking spots in front of the Highway Patrol building would be reserved for use by the contractor.

The Patrol building’s front door has remained accessible during working hours, although access has been restricted.

Once construction of the ramp is complete, a second phase of work -- replacement of the Patrol building’s front door -- will be scheduled. Several other headquarters complex buildings are also slated for door replacements. An update will be issued when the phase of work is ready to begin.

Douglas – District 2 crews finished installing new speed limit signs at two locations on WYO 59 Nov. 14.

Those traveling through Bill will notice speeds have been reduced to 50 mph through town, from milepost 35.1 to milepost 35.55.

Near Douglas, speeds have also been reduced to 50 mph from West Yellowstone (milepost 0.44) to the road closure gate at milepost 3.66.

A “No fuel for 75 miles sign” has been posted on northbound WYO 59 at 4th Street to remind motorists there is no fuel available until Wright.

Seasonal closures of WYO 130 above Centennial and WYO 70 over Battle Pass Laramie – A portion of WYO 130 over the Snowy Range between Laramie and Saratoga closed for the season Nov. 15 due to limited visibility and snow accumulation.

Westbound travelers encounter the closure at the Green Rock Picnic Area near milepost 36, about eight miles above Centennial. For eastbound travel, the closure begins near milepost 48 above Ryan Park.

Blowing snow and poor visibility have also forced the closure of WYO 70 over Battle Pass between Encampment and Baggs on Nov. 24. Hunters and hikers on Battle

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I-25 expansion joints replaced on bridge in Casper Casper – WYDOT replaced expansion joints on the I-25 bridge over the North Platte River in Casper on Oct. 29 and 30.

Crews closed the northbound driving lane over the bridge to replace that joint.

The following day, crews switched to the southbound passing lane.

The bridge is near milepost 185.74.

Troopers locate child abducted from Casper Casper – Gillette area troopers received word Nov. 3 regarding an Amber Alert originating in Casper. The alert was broadcast for a seven-year-old girl who had been taken from a playground during recess at an elementary school in North Casper. The

Traffic stop east of Lyman leads to seizure of marijuana

Speed limit change on Brundage Lane Sheridan – The speed limit on Brundage Lane from Big Horn Avenue to I-90 was lowered from 40 to 30 mph. The change began Nov. 3.

The speed limit reduction is a result of several years of development in the area which has created more access points and traffic.

Lyman – A traffic stop for speeding resulted in the seizure of approximately 59 pounds of marijuana Nov. 7. The traffic stop occurred on I-80 eastbound 11 miles east of Lyman.

A Wyoming State Trooper observed a Ford Focus travelling eastbound at 87 mph in an 80 mph zone. Upon stopping the Ford, the trooper became suspicious that the occupants in the Ford were involved in some type of criminal activity.

A WHP drug detection K-9 responded to the stop and was alerted to the presence of a controlled substance in the Ford. After searching the Ford, troopers located 59 pounds of raw high-grade marijuana and marijuana edibles.

It was determined that the marijuana was being transported to Chicago, Ill. from San Francisco, Calif. With the assistance of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the occupants of the vehicle, both of Midlothian, Va., were arrested. Both individuals were taken to the Uinta County Jail and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. The estimated street value of the seized marijuana is $352,065.

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Inclement weather hastens U.S. 14A seasonal closure

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Photo: WHP

girl’s paternal grandmother was suspected of committing a non-custodial abduction.

Troopers, deputies, police officers, Wyoming State Park officers, Game and Fish officers and concerned citizens in the area began looking for a red 1999 Ford Ranger with Wyoming plates and a possible destination of South Dakota.

Search for the child began in the Wright area as initial cell phone location “pings” showed the suspect’s cell phone was in the Wright area. Several more location pings were conducted showing a clear route of travel up WYO 59 onto eastbound I-90.

A final location ping was given east of the Moorcroft area.

An update from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) informed all involved agencies that another vehicle could have been used in the abduction, a 2002 Ford Taurus also bearing Wyoming plates.

A trooper observed a grey Ford Taurus traveling east with what appeared to be a single white female driver. The trooper confirmed the license plate given by DCI. The trooper conducted a traffic stop with the vehicle near milepost 174 on eastbound I-90 approximately west of Sundance. A second trooper was on hand if a chase ensued.

During the traffic stop, the trooper identified the driver as the suspect and placed her into investigative detention. The child was located in the vehicle in good health. A full collection of clothing and child hygiene products were also located in the vehicle.

The suspect was transferred into the custody of the Casper Police Department as she faced additional charges in Natrona County. The child was transported to Gillette by troopers and placed into the custody of Wyoming Department of Family Services until the child’s custodial guardians could arrive.

The rapid coordination between all of the agencies involved resulted in the successful location of the abducted child. This case is prime example of how the Amber Alert system works to protect children.

Packages of marijuana totalling 59 pounds seized in a traffic stop for speeding Nov. 7.

Burgess Junction – The annual closure of U.S. 14A between Burgess Junction and Lovell was scheduled for Dec. 1, but inclement weather arrived Nov. 24 causing the highway closure to happen a week earlier.

WYDOT seasonally closes this 22-mile stretch of scenic mountain road in the Big Horn Mountains of north-central Wyoming at the end of the fall hunting season.

According to WYDOT District Maintenance Engineer Larry Konetzki, heavy snows and relatively light traffic during the winter months make maintenance of the mountain portion of U.S. 14A impractical.

“The area Highway 14A passes through is known for producing huge drifts, and trying to keep it open is a losing battle,” Konetzki said. “As a safety precaution, WYDOT closes the road seasonally rather than as a reaction to a storm.”

Seasonal road closure gates are located at Burgess Junction (just east of milepost 98.1) and on the Lovell side of the mountain near milepost 76.04.

During the time the road is closed, motorists can use U.S. 14 via Granite Pass and Greybull as an alternative route from Sheridan to Lovell.

WYDOT will open U.S. 14A next spring after crews spend a projected three weeks to remove the winter snowpack on the road. It usually opens by Memorial Day weekend.

Last year’s closure went into effect Nov. 18.

Briefs continued on page 6 December 2014

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Reducing speed between dusk and dawn helps prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions Riverton – When the weather gets colder, many big game animals leave their summer and fall ranges for traditional wintering areas.

Migration routes often lead animals into conflict with motorists as they cross highways on the way to these areas. In addition, big game animals are often drawn to areas along roadways to seek better forage that results from road runoff moisture, and areas recently seeded after highway improvements. Motorists are urged to be on the lookout at all times as animals may be on the move, but it is the dusk to dawn period when animals are most active.

Fremont County areas of high wildlife traffic are WYO 28 between Lander and South Pass, U.S. 26-287 between Crowheart and Dubois, U.S. 26-287 west of Dubois, and WYO 789 between Lander and Shoshoni. These areas have consistently seen large losses of big game animals and increased wildlife-vehicle collisions in the fall. Big Horn Basin wildlife hot-spots include U.S. 20 between Thermopolis and Greybull, WYO 120 near Meeteetse and north of Cody, U.S. 14A between Cody and Powell, and U.S. 14-16-20 west of Greybull and west of Cody.

“Deer, elk, moose, and pronghorn are very active right now with recent storms forcing them to lower elevations and breeding season starting for deer. Some traditional ‘hot spots’ for big game crossings are the Red Canyon/South Pass and Beaver Rim areas near Lander, but animals could be encountered on almost any stretch of highway in Wyoming,” said Wyoming Game and Fish Department Lander Wildlife Biologist Stan Harter. “We are very concerned about public safety and ask motorists to do everything they can to avoid collisions with wildlife.”

“The single-most important thing drivers can do this time of the year to avoid wildlife-vehicle collisions is to slow down between dusk and dawn. And please, save

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East Monroe Avenue closed for concrete repairs in Riverton

your life and always buckle your seat belt,” said Cody Beers, WYDOT public involvement specialist in Riverton.

Wyoming Game and Fish and WYDOT advise people to be aware of roadside surroundings. When motorists spot animals near highways, they should assume the animals will move onto the roadway.

A few simple steps may help to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions: n Drive at lower speeds, especially between dusk and dawn;

Riverton – The east side of the East Monroe Avenue/South Federal Boulevard intersection was closed to traffic for several days, beginning Oct. 29, due to a $5.04 million improvement project in Riverton.

Prime contractor Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne and subcontractor Archer Construction of Riverton removed and replaced several concrete slabs on East Monroe Avenue according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel of Riverton. East Monroe Avenue was closed about five days, with traffic restored in early November.

During the closure, all residents and business traffic were forced to reach East Monroe Avenue via East Park Avenue and Smith Road.

The $5.04 million Federal/Monroe project area begins about 250 feet south of East Monroe Avenue and extends north, ending 0.4 miles north of the Federal/Monroe intersection near Federal Boulevard’s intersection with East Washington Avenue. Work on Monroe Avenue extends about 250 feet each direction from Federal Boulevard.

n Expect wildlife and scan the sides of the

roads while driving;

n Use headlights (even during the day),

limit distractions and stay alert while driving at dusk, dawn and during the night;

n If you see one elk, deer, or antelope

by the road, expect there to be more nearby;

n If an animal is on the road, expect the

unexpected. They do not instinctively know how to react to your car.

n If you encounter an animal crossing the

road while driving, switch your headlights to low beam so that the animal is not blinded and may move out of the roadway.

n Give the animal time and room to move

off the road. Do not try to outrun it.

n If you see a wildlife-crossing sign, pay

Riverton South (WYO 789) under way

attention. It is there for a reason.

n Do not swerve to miss an animal. Steer

toward the animal’s rear end, as they most often will move forward.

Nationwide, more than 150 people are killed and 29,000 injured each year in animal-vehicle collisions. If you see an injured deer, call the nearest Game and Fish office with specific information about the location (road, milepost, etc.).

Photo: WYDOT

Briefs continued from page 5

Be aware of your surroundings when driving and expect wildlife to do the unexpected.

Riverton – A 3.32-mile highway improvement project on the Little Wind River bridge south of Riverton on WYO 789 began Nov. 17.

Prime contractor of the $11.04 million project is LeGrand Johnson Construction Co., of Logan, Utah.

“The contractor closed the pedestrian/ bicycle pathway along WYO 789 on Nov. 17, and placed concrete barriers and removed guardrail on the Little Wind River bridge near the 789 Casino,” according to Robert Scheidemantel, WYDOT resident engineer in Riverton. “There may some impacts on traffic this fall and winter near the Little Wind River bridge.”

Scheidemantel said the pedestrian pathway will remain closed at the Little Wind River bridge through the winter.

Contract completion date for the bridge and highway improvements is June 30, 2016.

When the Riverton South project is complete, a new five-lane roadway will stretch from the Big Wind River bridge on Riverton’s south edge to south of Wind River Casino on WYO 789.

The scope of work for the Riverton South project includes grading, draining, bridge widening, milling of asphalt pavement, removal and replacement of the existing temporary traffic signal at the WYO 137/WYO 789 intersection, placement of crushed gravel and new asphalt pavement, chip sealing, electrical work, guardrail removal and replacement, fencing and other work on 3.32 miles of WYO 789 beginning at milepost 100.86 between Hudson and Riverton.

Meth discovered after trooper avoids collision with minivan

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Worland – After avoiding a collision with a turning minivan, a Wyoming state trooper stopped the minivan for not yielding to oncoming traffic Nov. 20.

While checking on the driver, the trooper smelled marijuana coming from inside the van. A search of the van revealed a felony amount of suspected methamphetamine (approx. 5.8 grams) and misdemeanor amounts of suspected marijuana (approx. 8.2 grams). A significant amount of U.S. currency was also discovered.

With the assistance of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the driver was arrested and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and for driving while his license was suspended, revoked or cancelled. The driver of the minivan was transported to the Washakie County Jail upon his arrest. n

Winter driving tips; driving near snow plows requires care, patience Are you prepared for winter driving? Some of the basic ways to be prepared include installing winter windshield wiper blades, and checking headlights and tire pressure.

“When driving on ice, accelerate slowly – pretend that an egg is sitting under your gas pedal,” District 5 Public Involvement Specialist Cody Beers said. “To stop on the ice, remove your foot slowly from the gas pedal. If your vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes, step on your brakes when slowing. The braking system will help you stop on icy roads.”

WYDOT maintenance professionals, who work on our roadways every day of the year, share the following winter driving tips: • Make sure your vehicles are in top operating condition.

• Bring along safety supplies and be prepared. Carry a sleeping bag, blankets, flashlights, non-perishable food, water, matches and fire starter, cell phone, a good shovel, flares, and even sand or cat litter for traction.

• Let someone know when you leave and when you’ll arrive at your destination.

• Keep your gas tank full of fuel.

• Drivers of some vehicles may want to carry tire chains.

• If you’re stranded during the winter on the open road, stay with your vehicle. Your vehicle is your protection against winter weather, and staying with it offers your best refuge and protection of surviving a blizzard. If running your vehicle’s engine while stranded, make sure exhaust pipe doesn’t become plugged with snow.

• And, know before you go. For Wyoming road conditions this winter, call 511, or log on to the Internet at wyoroad.info.

WYDOT has numerous bright yellow snow plows, and when working the roads, these plow trucks have amber, red and blue flashing lights mounted on top of the cab and on the back of the sanders.

Snow plows are huge machines, capable of moving tons of snow every minute. Operators of these snow plows are highly trained professionals. These snow plow professionals need cooperation from drivers so they can do their jobs and keep the road safe for drivers. Give them room to operate.

“Stay well back from operating snow plows,” Beers said. “They are spreading sand, anti-icing and de-icing chemicals on the roadway. It’s always a good idea to stay back from snow plows while their operators are doing their jobs.”

With limited visibility, snow plow drivers can’t see vehicles behind them if the vehicles are too close to the plows.

“Remember, the safest driving surface is behind the plow. If you must pass, don’t pass on the right into the plume of snow being moved,” Beers said. “Be sure on twolane highways that you have plenty of time to pass. Keep a close watch, these huge plows often stir up their own whiteout conditions while doing their work.”

In the course of winter maintenance, WYDOT treats roads with liquid de-icers and anti-icers to keep ice bonding to our roadways, or to remove the ice if it has already formed.

While research verifies fewer accidents occur on treated highways, these de-icers and anti-icers can be sprayed up on vehicles from tires and wind. “It’s a good idea to wash off de-icing and anti-icing chemicals from your vehicle,” Beers said. “Don’t forget to keep your wiper reservoir full of washer fluid in case you experience splash-back.”

Beers said drivers should remember that it takes extra time to slow down or stop on slick roads. “Don’t use your cruise control, and drive at appropriate speeds. If you encounter poor visibility, slow down. Always slow down for safety. If you don’t have to go, don’t.”

“And, always, buckle up,” Beers said.

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Patrol’s 86th Class

Troopers stand on the staircase at the Wyoming Supreme Court Building in downtown Cheyenne prior to their commissioning. (Front row, from left) Col. John Butler, Lt. Klief Guenther, Capt. Derek Mickelson. (Second row, from left) Tpr. Jaime Wingard, Tpr. John Williams, Tpr. Taylor Hanssen, and Tpr. Shane Carraher. (Third row, from left) Lt. Chris Schell, Tpr. Remington Roberts, Tpr. Joshua Carris, and Tpr. Peter Cross.

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Seven new Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers have reported to their duty stations following 28 weeks of recruit training at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy in Douglas.

The recruit training included instruction in a wide range of subjects including traffic law, firearms, impaired driving, crash investigation, custody and control, commercial carrier, child passenger safety, radar/LIDAR use, emergency vehicle operation, and active shooter response.

The new troopers were commissioned Nov. 6 at the Wyoming Supreme Court in Cheyenne with Justice William Hill administering the oath of office.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol is proud to present their newest troopers.

Shane Carraher, posted in Wheatland, hails from Franklin, Neb., where he graduated from high school. He subsequently earned a bachCarraher elor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, and played receiver during his four years as a member of the UNK varsity football squad. Prior to signing on with the Pa-

Photo: Rick Carpenter

trol, Carraher worked as a supervisor at a youth facility in Kearney for nearly three years His spare-time interests include physical fitness and spending time with family and friends, The other recruit trooper in Wheatland is Taylor Hanssen, who comes to the Patrol after having served with the Wheatland Police Department. Hanssen, who was born in San Antonio, Tex., served a church mission in Ecuador after graduating from high school. He Hanssen then served with the U.S. Marine Corps and is a veteran of the Iraq War. He has earned an associate’s degree in education and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Hanssen, who is married and the father of two children, enjoys staying fit, playing sports, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Joshua Carris, now based in Rock Springs, was born and raised in Iowa.

Carris, who is married, earned bachelor’s degree in accounting and Spanish at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.

He subsequently lived in nearby Spencer, Iowa, Carris

where he served four years as a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff ’s Office.

Assigned to nearby Patrick Draw is John Williams, who joined the Patrol after serving with the Fulton, Mo., Police Department.

Williams was born and raised in Columbia, Mo., where he graduated from Hickman High School. Prior to beginning his career in law enforcement, Williams worked Williams two years as an EMT in central Missouri. He is married and the father of two children.

Peter Cross, originally from Lagrange, Ind., is posted to Riverton. Cross spent a majority of his youth in the Colorado mountains and is a graduate of Middle Park High School in Granby, Colo. He holds a bachelor’s Cross degree in history from Colorado State University. While a student at CSU, Cross participated in Army ROTC and last year was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the Wyoming National Guard. During his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, playing sports, and snowmobiling.

Remington Roberts is stationed in Kemmerer, where he was born and raised. After high school, Roberts earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at UW. He is following in the footsteps of his grandfather Delaine Roberts who served on the Patrol from Roberts 1960 to 1974.

The younger Roberts was able to be assigned the same badge number (47) as his grandfather, who later served as Lincoln County Sheriff and then U.S. Marshall for Wyoming. Remington Roberts’ hobbies include hunting, fly fishing and photography.

The newest trooper serving the Lusk area is Jaime Wingard, who comes to the Patrol after working for the Wyoming Department of Corrections in Lusk for the past 10 years.

Wingard, who was born in Arlington Heights, Ill., was raised in Fort Collins, Colo., where she graduated from Wingard Fort Collins High School. She is married and the mother of one daughter.

Beyond work, Wingard enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Learning opportunities abound

Thanks to WYDOT’s Training Services Program, the old adage of “you learn something new everyday around here” is true for many agency employees.

Training Services was instituted in 1996 when WYDOT hired David Talley as the first program manager. Talley, who retired last year, gets much of the credit for developing the program into its current form. His work began with a training needs assessment given to employees asking for help prioritizing training and other developmental needs. The assessment brought three objectives to light: develop leaders to meet present and organizational needs; maintain adequate levels of training in relevant technologies and methodologies; and implement quality improvement techniques.

Today, the program is headed up by Training Services Manager Jim Boyd and is intent on focusing on leadership and supervisory skills at WYDOT. With Lead Instructor Kurt Borgaard and Distance Learning Technologist Rhonda DeLeeuw, the team works towards the over-arching goal of developing and caring for the people of WYDOT. Their motto is, “Get the right people into the right learning opportunities at the right time.”

Boyd WYDOT University Training Services focuses on developing leaders to meet present and organizational needs through WYDOT University (WYDOT-U). The courses presented at WYDOT-U are a mix of in-house training and out-sourced courses.

“We are basically trying to enhance the effectiveness of our employees through training,” said Boyd. “Since individuals learn differently, we want to provide many learning opportunities, such as mentoring and coaching, to help them grow and learn at their own pace.”

Courses are focused on the core behavioral competencies of leadership, communication, customer service, teamwork, personal effectiveness, judgment and decision-making, and developing others.

Training has developed numerous courses in-house with the most recent being the rewards and recognition class. Training

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by Carlie Van Winkle staff will be using the popular Meyers-Briggs materials from the program’s Learning Library to develop another course focusing on change in the workplace to be introduced next year.

Aside from the in-house classes, many courses are brought in from trusted sources in the learning industry. Courses designed by Patrick Lencioni and Ken Blanchard, among others, are introduced and promoted through WYDOT-U. All of the face-to-face courses currently taught by Training Services can be found only in Cheyenne at WYDOT-U. However, Boyd would like to extend the reach of Training Services by offering classes in the districts, with either face-to-face courses or web-based training through a new-to-WYDOT offering – Skillsoft.

“If there are courses that our districts need, we can take the class to them,” said Boyd. “We actually encourage it. It’s more cost effective to send one of us to a district location than to have the entire district come here to Cheyenne.”

Boyd also encourages district engineers to ask if any specialized training could be brought to their districts. Boyd is willing to go into the districts with WYDOT-U type training, contact a WYDOT contracted consultant, hire an outside consultant to do the training, or have the district engineer or program manager make a specific recommendation for a particular lecturer to get them the specialized training or information they need.

Transportation Learning Network (TLN) Training offers more than just face-to-face classes at WYDOT-U. More than 15 years ago, WYDOT became part of the Transportation Learning Network (TLN); a consortium of four states – Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Within each state, a committee represents each of the participating state DOT’s and Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC) universities. The TLN committee assesses recommendations for course topics, and courses are built from ranking the importance of each course suggested.

The TLN finds subject matter experts in the chosen field to deliver the content over the videoconference platform.

The courses are facilitated by an instructor in one location and are broadcast via videoconferencing equipment to many other classrooms within the network. Students learn in real time from an instructor who may be hundreds of miles away.

On many occasions, instructors come to Cheyenne and broadcast from Training’s facility in the Materials building. Many TLN

classes have been shortened to make attendance easier for workers in the field. The once day-long TLN courses can now be found in two or four-hour time blocks of learning, fitting more easily into a busy schedule.

If there is a certain course offered by the TLN that an employee may have missed, there is a library of past courses available. Employees may register via www.translearning.org, fill out a recorded video sign-in sheet, and then view courses available.

E-learning on the rise Training is constantly evolving to meet specific needs of participants. Knowing that some participants are unable to travel or get away from their desk for any length of time, Training Services has embraced e-learning practices. With the help of DeLeeuw, numerous online and interactive learning modules have been developed, including WYOLink, Panic Button, and Halogen.

“Some of the ways we have done the training for new employees, for example, there are better ways to do that training. We are exploring those different avenues,” Borgaard said.

Each class facilitated through the training program is evaluated for effectiveness and if it needs to be changed or updated with new materials, the task is undertaken before the next class is given.

The usage of technology to get training out to field offices in lieu of employees driving to Cheyenne for basic skills months after their hire date is a priority for the training staff.

“We are thinking of more than just the orientation of the new employee. We are looking for a new ‘on-boarding’ process for those employees,” said Borgaard.

Starting the beginning of the calendar year, the Training Program will be able to offer Skillsoft web-based training to employees.

Skillsoft will allow employees to get basic, necessary training in all outlying areas seamlessly.

Thousands of courses will be available on the Skillsoft database including SkillSoft’s business skills courseware collection which will include six business skills solution areas: professional effectiveness; management and leadership; sales and customer-facing skills; project effectiveness; finance; HR and administration; and business strategy and operations. In addition, an offering of Microsoft Office 2007 KnowledgeCenter will be available which will allow learners to gain knowledge through articles, courses and online books to learn and use Office 2007 skills in a real-time environment.

Skillsoft courses will be available from any computer or com-

patible tablet or smartphone. Any employee, with a supervisor’s approval, may take the Skillsoft courses on their workstations. The new course catalog with available learning opportunities will be available beginning in January.

Class size When designing a class, Training Services never plans for fewer than 10 people. Fortunately, the recent incorporation of individual development planning into the performance management instrument (PMI) process has increased the number of classes and the number of students per class. The PMI is linked to the training portal, allowing a supervisor and employee to view courses per competency. The courses can be added directly to a PMI goal online.

“It’s great to see employees wanting to improve their knowledge, both personally and professionally,” said Boyd.

Many classes fill to capacity months in advance and have waiting lists of up to 20 people, according to Boyd. He strongly recommends checking the schedule on the training page of the intranet to check for upcoming classes and reserve a seat early. Programs and workgroups are encouraged to attend a class together.

“We can really make an impact in training when an entire workgroup, or program, comes to training, not just a few employees from the group at a time,” said Borgaard. “Having the entire group helps build cohesion and understanding within that group. ” Moving forward With more and more employees turning to Training Services for personal and professional growth, expansion is imminent.

WYDOT-U and TLN class total numbers continue to climb. According to Boyd, numbers have increased from 1,731 in FY 2013 to a record 2,144 in FY 2014.

Since training numbers have continued to grow, Training Services will be moving to a larger facility sometime during the summer of 2015. The new facility will be the former Cheyenne Driver Services building.

The new, bigger space will feature multiple classrooms, a TLN room and a library area. A retractable wall will separate the largest classroom in the new building so multiple WYDOT-U and TLN classes can be held simultaneously. Boyd and his staff hope to have a computer lab in their new space at some point, allowing employees the benefit of hands-on computer training with an instructor.

An expanded space for the Learning Library will hold books, CDs and DVDs. Hundreds of titles are available and may be checked out for professional development use.

“We are really trying to get people involved in training by getting employees to come to us and letting us know what they need training in,” said Boyd. “The better we understand what the needs of the department are, the better we will be able to deliver the correct training at the appropriate time.”

Additional resources If the offerings from Training Services aren’t exactly what employees are looking for in terms of accredited classes, they should be aware of the tuition reimbursement policy for university, community college or technical training school courses. WYDOT policy 37-2 states that employees may further their education, training and development either through employee-requested education or agency-required education. The reimbursement for employeerequested education may be up to 75 percent of tuition and courserelated expenses, whereas agency-required education will pay 100 percent of the fees for the course.

The TLN is available online allowing self-paced learning.

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Noteworthy

District 3 says goodbye to Eddins The District 3 Staff convened early one Monday morning in November for their weekly meeting. The usual culprits sat around a small table, the Public Relations Specialist yawning and begging for a coffee break, the Maintenance Engineer googling fishing tournaments on his phone, the rest staring blankly at the table. However, this staff meeting would be different. This meeting would change the course of the district.

Soon after, the District Engineer John Eddins Eddins joined them. They looked up, expecting a whistling rendition of jingle bells or a premature apology for the length of the District Engineer’s Meeting review. But he only sighed. The staff began to get visibly nervous. Something serious was happening.

Eddins started out by complimenting the staff and eluded to their ability to make the new adjustment. He had their attention.

He then announced, with some reluctance, that he was taking an early retirement and his final day would be Dec. 5. He had accepted a position with a local engineering and surveying firm based in Rock Springs.

He would be concluding a 27-year career with the agency.

Eddins was born in Afton and grew up in nearby Smoot, where he became a graduate of Star Valley High School. He subsequently worked in a number of private-sector firms, including Daniel Construction, Manning Drilling, Burgraf Construction and Forgey Construction.

Eddins began with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in January of 1988 as a technician with the Laramie Design Squad while he was attending the University Wyoming.

After completing his degree in Civil Engineering, he remained in Laramie, working first as an engineer, then Engineer Analyst and Senior Engineer.

In 1995, he was promoted to Resident Engineer in District 3 and moved to Rock Springs.

Four new Highway Patrol officers Four Highway Patrol officers – Chris Schell, Joseph Scimone, Ben Schlosser and Mike Simmons – were promoted to lieutenant last month.

The four new lieutenants were selected following an “extensive promotional process” conducted by the Patrol, according to WHP Administrator Col. John Butler.

“This process continues to remind us of the great caliber and character in our people within the Patrol and that our future is bright,” Col. Butler said.

Lt. Chris Schell, promoted from the rank Schell

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“He was, by far, the most efficient Resident Engineer I have ever worked for. If you needed something done, you didn’t even have to ask, it was already done. He was on his game,” Senior District Construction Technician Becky Hager recalled.

That efficiency led to a promotion to District Construction Engineer two years later and a final promotion to District Engineer in 2000.

Friend and former WYDOT colleague Tom Easley recalled how closely he worked with Eddins throughout both their careers.

“Truthfully, looking back at our careers with WYDOT there was never a time I did not have John as compatriot. We both started on crew 105 in Laramie in 1990. We took the PE exam together in Spring of 1995. Our PE numbers are 6933 and 6934. We applied for the resident engineers slots in District 3 at the same time. He got Rock Springs while I was assigned to Kemmerer. On through his promotions into the DCE and eventually DE where he became my boss and then boss’s boss. My whole career there (WYDOT) I seemed to have some link to John. In all that time I can honestly say it was a pleasure working with and for John. He is a great engineer as well as a friend,” said Easley.

Eddins compared working for WYDOT as being part of a family and expressed his genuine appreciation for the time spent at the agency.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the 27 year career that the WYDOT has provided to me. I have done my best to give 100 percent to the agency and hope that my efforts have added value and assisted in accomplishing the agency goals.

It was a tough decision to leave, because working for WYDOT has been very rewarding and challenging. The people are like my family,” Eddins said.

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all the employees in District 3 for their hard work and support. I have confidence that the District 3 staff, supervisors and employees will carry on and continue to provide a high level of customer service and strive to provide a safe, high quality, and efficient transportation system. I sincerely thank all the WYDOT folks for the opportunity to work for the best state agency in Wyoming,” Eddins added.

Eddins will be missed in District 3, but the lasting seamless, cohesive grassroots bond that he promoted in District 3 will never fade.

– Stephanie Harsha of sergeant, leaves his position as academy coordinator within Safety and Training to supervise Division B based in Casper.

Schell replaces Lt. Terry Vincent who retired in September.

Schell is a native of Sheridan and a graduate of Sheridan High School. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol in 1996, he served 11 years in the U.S. Army. His first WHP posting was Casper. He was promoted to sergeant in 2006.

Lt. Joseph Scimone is headed for Douglas to replace Lt. Nate Hughes, who retires the end of this month, as supervisor of Division M. Scimone is originally from Arizona where Scimone he attended Pima Community College. He

Noteworthy

Cox elected AASHTO President at annual meeting WYDOT Director John Cox was elected president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) during the association’s annual meeting, conducted Nov. 20-24 in Charlotte, N.C. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing highway and transportation departments in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, Cox with involvement in all transportation modes including air, highways, public transportation, rail, and water. This year the association has been commemorating the centennial of its 1914 founding.

“I am honored to accept this important leadership role. AASHTO has been there from the beginning, providing leadership to build the national transportation system we rely on today,” Cox said. “As we enter our second century, AASHTO’s work is far from over. The nation’s aging transportation systems need to be maintained and modernized and that’s going to require greater investment.”

Paul Trombino III, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, is the incoming AASHTO vice president.

As Cox begins his term as president, his primary emphasis as AASHTO president will be advancing a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization that closely reflects the membership’s policy objectives.

“Gaining passage of this essential piece of legislation cannot be accomplished by AASHTO alone,” Cox said. “Just as we’ve done in the past, the transportation community must work together with members of Congress and the American people to

also earned a degree in business and economics from William Penn University. Scimone served three years with the Cheyenne Police Department before signing on with the Patrol in 2004.

He initially served as a trooper in Laramie before transferring to Cheyenne in 2009 with the K-9 unit.

Lt. Ben Schlosser, who has been with the Patrol since 2007, moves from Wamsutter to Rock Springs to supervise Division E. He replaces Lt. Scott Keane who resigned in October to pursue a career in Nevada.

Schlosser came to Wyoming from Toledo, Ohio, where he had worked as a police officer for seven years. Prior to that, he attended Ohio University and received a masters deSchlosser

build consensus behind legislative proposals that can and must be enacted into law.”

A second emphasis area for Cox will be exploring the need to identify and advance reasonable opportunities to enhance state decision-making authority and limit federal regulation.

Cox has served as WYDOT director since January 1995, and immediately prior to that, he was administrator of the Wyoming Highway Patrol for seven years.

In addition to serving as immediate past AASHTO vice present, Cox also served as president of the 18-state Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials during 2012-13.

Director joins select group John Cox becomes only the third official (and first WYDOT director) from Wyoming to be elected AASHTO president. Ross Stapp, superintendent and chief engineer of the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, from 1965-71 was AASHTO president during 1968-69. Superintendant and Chief Engineer Leno Menghini, who headed WHD from 1977-90, was AASHTO’s 1987-88 president.

Stapp

Menghini

gree from Tiffin University.

Lt. Mike Simmons, who has been with the Patrol since 2008, is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and veteran of the Wyoming Army and Air National Guards.

Simmons started with WHP in Laramie, transferred to Cheyenne in 2010, and now returns to Laramie as supervisor of Division J. He replaces Capt.

Tom Pritchard who was promoted to command District 5 (Big Horn Basin and Fremont County) in October.

Simmons

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District News

Retirements Mark Allen, with Facilities Management-Grounds retires with 30 years of service to the state.

Prior to working with WYDOT, both at the Allen headquarters building and the travel center, Allen worked for A&I Facility Maintenance.

Basil Brookhouser, leaves the department with 12 years of service. All of his time was spent in Materials-Surfacing; and Sandra Vosler, with Patrol-Dispatch also retires with 12 years of service to WYDOT. She spent her career as a patrol dispatcher.

Headquarters

Welcome

Service Awards

Kori Cruz, Right of Way-Appraisals; Christine Cuthbert, Facilities Management-Custodial; and Justin Scott, Geology.

Robert Garcia, ITS/GIS – 30 years; Walker Mann, Highway Development-Photogrammetry/Survey – 10 years; Benoit Cordoba, Bridge-Engineering Design – 5 years; and Christopher Kwilinski, Highway Safety – 5 years.

Promotions and Transfers Lorraine Abeyta, Human Resources; Susan Hoyt, Human Resources; William Murphy, Highway Development-Photogrammetry/Survey; and Scott Prettyman, Telecommunications District 1-Radio Shop.

Cruz

Mann

Murphy

Cordoba

Kwilinski

C

IT

OR

ET

K LIC

T IC K

District 1

Welcome

Service Awards

Cradle Call

Marvin Bagley, Rawlins Maintenance; Robert Beck, Rawlins Maintenance; and Melvin Lile, Laramie Maintenance.

Ellen Teigen, District 1 Administration – 25 years; Leslie French, Medicine Bow Maintenance – 10 years; and Dale Wolfe, Medicine Bow Maintenance – 10 years.

Mack Miller of Saratoga Maintenance and his wife Josie welcomed a new baby boy into their lives. Blake Dawson Miller was born Nov. 4 and weighed in at 5 pounds, 14 ounces. Congratulations!

Congratulations Clint Williams of Cheyenne Maintenance recently received a FOS certification for passing the welding test. Congratulations, Clint.

Teigen

Photo courtesy Gary Curry

Mike Cruickshank, Elk Mountain Maintenance; Samuel Finkle, Laramie Construction; Lari Kay, Laramie Construction; and Stanley Trueblood, Traffic-Electrical.

Trueblood

Photo: Mack Miller

Promotions and Transfers

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District 2 Randall Pugsley, Lusk Port of Entry.

Promotions and Transfers Darren Allbright, Wheatland Maintenance; Van Frazier, District 2 Maintenance Staff; James Mathis III, Douglas Mechanics; and Sterling Richardson, Shirley Rim Maintenance.

Richardson

Congratulations

Promotions and Transfers

Van Frazier has been chosen as the new Senior Staff Technician for District 2 in Casper. Frazier assumed his duties as Senior Staff Technician Nov. 1.

Frazier Myron Witt has been chosen as the new Highway Maintenance Specialist II for District 2 in Chugwater. Witt assumed his new duties Oct. 24. Congratulations Myron!

Franklin Boone, Wamsutter Maintenance; and Ronald Mattingly, Granger Maintenance.

Cradle Call

Terry Guyette, Labarge Maintenance – 30 years; Renita Hurdsman, Lyman Maintenance – 15 years; Hoby Knowles, Cokeville Maintenance – 5 years; Morgan Lewis, Evanston Port of Entry – 5 years; and Bobby Schwab, Afton Maintenance – 5 years.

Mattingly

Service Awards

Trooper Dan White from Casper Patrol, Division B and his wife Emily welcomed a new addition to their family.

Baby boy Noah Daniel White was born Nov. 10 in Casper. He weighed 9 pounds and measured 21 inches long. Congratulations to the happy family.

Mathis

Service Awards

Photo courtesy Dan White

Edward Reish, Casper Construction – 25 years; Reish Merrill Nading, Casper Maintenance – 5 years; and John Zakowski, Wheatland Maintenance – 5 years.

District 4

Welcome

Service Awards

John Holloman, Sundance Maintenance; and Russell Stewart, Sheridan Traffic-Striping.

Nicholas Shoemaker, Newcastle Construction; and Matthew Thyfault, Sheridan TrafficStriping.

Jeremey Frisbie, Sheridan Maintenance – 5 years; Roger Kindsfater, Reno Junction Maintenance – 5 years; and Michael Kuzara, Pole Creek Maintenance – 5 years.

Morgan Lewis with Evanston Port of Entry receives her 5 year service award from Maj. Keith Groeneweg.

Retirements Bob Graham, Evanston Construction; and Vernon Wright, Wamsutter Maintenance.

Wright

Retirements Thyfault

Frisbie

Steven Brantz, Sheridan Mechanics.

Photo courtesy Stephanie Harsha

Promotions and Transfers

Hurdsman

Photo courtesy Stephanie Harsha

Welcome

District 3

Bob Graham enjoying his recent retirement party.

Kindsfater

Kuzara

Brantz

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Awards

District 5

Promotions and Transfers

U.S. Forest Service veteran receives award for cooperative work on Bighorn National Forest

Clardon Todd, Riverton Construction - Riverton.

Service Awards Mark Redland, Ten Sleep Maintenance – 20 years; Jesi Ehlers, Thermopolis Maintenance – 5 years; Bryan Myers, Worland Construction – 5 years; Kely Nelsen, Driver Services-Thermopolis/Worland/Basin – 5 years; and Mark Wiener, Dubois Maintenance – 5 years.

Ehlers

Photo: Cody Beers

Redland

A 39-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service was presented with the first Golden Pine Cone Award for a career marked by “cultivating great professional working relationships,” including working with WYDOT on a series of highway improvement and safety projects on U.S. 16 between Buffalo and Worland.

WYDOT Worland Resident Engineer Dan McAfee presented Craig Cope of Buffalo with an engraved plaque on Nov. 12 in Buffalo.

Cope retired from the U.S. Forest Service in September.

“WYDOT created this special award for Craig Cope for a couple of reasons,” said McAfee. “First and foremost, because he deserves it. Second to that, his career should be made an example for others that points to an appreciation for those who are committed to doing what is right when working with other entities.”

McAfee said Cope’s work with WYDOT “demonstrated how a win-win can happen between two government agencies whose interests and missions sometimes compete with each other when highway construction projects occupy Forest Service real estate. His work has always been completed in a healthy and constructive way.”

Cope’s recent work with WYDOT included the 2012 County Line West safety and highway improvement project near Meadowlark Lake. One of the unique parts of the project involved partially draining

The plaque’s wording: “In recognition and grateful appreciation for the outstanding working relationship between the Bighorn National Forest and Wyoming Department of Transportation, WYDOT hereby bequeaths the first Golden Pine Cone Award of Excellence in October 2014 to Mr. Craig Cope in honor of his remarkable commitment to this successful partnership.”

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Photo: Cody Beers

Worland Resident Engineer Dan McAfee (left) presenting retired U.S. Forest Service veteran Craig Cope with the Golden Pine Cone Award.

and dredging of the accumulated sediment build-up in Meadowlark Lake in 2011.

That action enabled WYDOT to salvage topsoil material for placement alongside the reconstructed section of U.S. 16 near the Washakie-Johnson county line.

McAfee said Cope and other Forest Service staff have worked with WYDOT for years throughout the U.S. 16 corridor.

The collaboration included various highway improvements.

District Ranger Mark Booth of Buffalo has witnessed the cumulative success of Cope’s three decades of service on the Powder River Ranger District of the Bighorn National Forest.

Cope worked on the White River (Colorado) and Black Hills (South Dakota) national forests early in his career.

“Craig began his career as a forester, planning and administering timber sales, and he later became the recreation and wilderness program manager,” Booth said.

“He was a steadfast champion for the resources he managed. He seemed to always be looking ahead, to solve or address little problems before they became big ones. He has always been good at cultivating great professional working partnerships,” Booth said.

Booth said Cope “was known for his patience and persistence, as he would usually succeed in his efforts to do the right thing for the resource in the long-term.”

Booth started his Forest Service career working as an employee for Cope, as a trail crew leader.

“Craig was great to work for back then, and I feel it has been my privilege to work with him now for the last 10 years as the district ranger. Forest Supervisor Bill Bass refers to him as a “real trooper” as you could always depend on Craig to get the job done, no matter what the task,” Booth continued. “Craig made my job much easier as the district ranger, and I could always count on Craig to represent the agency well, and build great partnerships like the one we enjoy with WYDOT.” Bighorn National Forest Supervisor Bill Bass said the Forest Service’s “working relationship with WYDOT is very important to the Bighorn National Forest.

Public benefits are at the forefront for both agencies, and our efforts to work together reflect that.”

“Thank you for recognizing the excellent work of a long-standing Bighorn National Forest employee,” Bass said.

Photo: Don Edington

Local winners of the 2014 Photo Walk announced

Don Edington’s entry, “Window to the West.” This photo was also taken at the Y Cross Ranch near Horse Creek.

The human resources manager for WYDOT was named the winner of the seventh annual local edition of the Worldwide Photo Walk.

Lon Pfau took first place, while WYDOT Driver Services manager, Don Edington, captured second place. Third place went to Stephanie Maas, a Laramie County Community College multimedia graduate, and Tamara Rodgers, a current LCCC multimedia major and online editor for Wingspan Online, earned honorable mention.

The Cheyenne gathering of the Worldwide Photo

Photo: Lon Pfau

Awards

Walk attracted 25 photographers. It was one of 1,052 photo walks worldwide on Oct. 11 that included 20,152 photographers. The walk, held at the Y Cross Ranch near Horse Creek, Wyoming, was sponsored by LCCC’s mass media/multimedia department.

Photos taken during the Cheyenne Worldwide Photo Walk can be seen at https://www.flickr.com/groups/2687630@N24/.

Lon Pfau’s winning entry, “Lost Cabin.” The stunning photo was taken at the Y Cross Ranch near Horse Creek. This photo has also received accolades from the Cheyenne Artists Guild. The photo is currently on display at the guild’s gallery at Holliday Park in Cheyenne.

Phishing scams continue to be a problem for our Google email users. Phishing is the practice of sending phony email messages that are disguised to be legitimate, and often include company logos that look real and appear to come from legitimate sources.

How can you avoid phishing scams?

Here are some of the characteristics of a phishing email and things for you to be aware of so you can avoid becoming the subject of a phishing scam.

• Asks for Personal Information: Many phishing emails request personal information such as credit card or account information, social security numbers, passwords, etc. Legitimate emails will never ask you to perform security-related changes to your account or send emails to collect user names, passwords, email addresses or other personal information through email or over the phone.

• Official-Looking Sender’s Email Address: The “From” line may include an email address that appears legitimate.

• Generic Email Greeting: Many phishing emails begin with something generic like “Dear User” or “Dear Customer”.

• False Claims: Many phishing emails make false claims about the status of your account and ask you to update or validate your account by clicking on an embedded link in the email.

Some may also include a false sense of urgency and state that your account may be in jeopardy if it is not updated immediately.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Watch for suspicious emails requesting a user to read important documents

• Fake Links: Many phishing emails include links that look valid, but send you to a spoof site. Never click on these links as the URL (Web page address) may appear to be legitimate (wyo.gov), but may actually display a different URL when you hover over the link with your mouse.

• Attachments: Never click on attachments as they may cause you to download spyware or a virus.

• Typos and Poor Grammar: Many phishing emails contain typographical errors and poor grammar in the content.

If you feel you have either been targeted by a phishing scam or have visited a suspicious website, it is recommended that you change your Google email password immediately.

To reset your Google password: Click the gear from your Inbox, select Settings, click the Accounts tab, click Google Account Settings, Click the Security tab, Click the Change Password hyperlink then follow the instructions provided.

If you would like assistance changing your Google email password or have questions related to phishing scams or any other security issues, please contact the ETS helpdesk at (307) 777-5000.

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Rides

a Photo courtesy Travis Garci

Wayne Severson from Rock Springs Traffic showing off both of his “toys.� Severson with his Harley Davidson motorcycle (left) and his 1966 Pontiac GTO (right).

Photo: Rick Carpenter

ce shop likes to show Rock Springs maintenan Travis Garcia from the h a 1938 Ford Flathead.

Ford Special Coupe wit off his 1929 Model A

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Cheyenne enjoys taking his Jeff Sherman with Highway Development in road. open the down nger Challe e 2009 Dodg

Craig Walker from Geology with his classic-style Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Photo courtesy Perry Olson

Hans Hehr with Procurement Services in Cheyenne owns this fine 1969 Pontiac GTO.

n in style with this s or go out on the tow Cruise around the link ings Traffic owns ry Olson with Rock Spr 2007 Club Car limo. Per this beauty.

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Cheyenne gets this hway Development in Larry Crosby with Hig highway from time the on out t Chevelle SS cherry 1969 Chevrole to time.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photos courtesy Wayne Severs on

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Kevin Stogstill of Hig hway Development likes to show off his pickup truck. His da 1964 GMC ughters Jennifer an d Michala don’t mi off either. nd showing it

Ron Koehn with Field Operations-Equipment in Cheyenne takes pride in this 1998 EVO.

of her BMW Z3 convertible.

Some rides require som e pedal power – like Pub lic Affairs Officer Doug McGee ’s Rat Rod.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Dana Weickum with IT likes the sporty feel

Brian Wenger with Field Operations-Equ ipment takes pride in his 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Rides will be featured again in the March 2015 Interchange. Get those photos in – Carlie.VanWinkle@wyo.gov December 2014

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http://goo.gl/UJgweZ

http://goo.gl/MXirfY

Passings Owen D. Lambert

Retiree Owen D. Lambert, longtime maintenance crew foreman in Wheatland, died Oct. 24.

He was 88.

Lambert started with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, Lambert in October 1948 and retired in April 1987 after compiling 38.5 years of service.

He was born in Central City, Neb., and later moved to Laramie. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific.

A memorial with military honors and scattering of ashes will be at a later date.

Survivors include his son Kent Lambert, also an agency retiree. Kent departed WYDOT earlier this year after compiling nearly 40 years of service, most recently as civil rights manager.

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Extra Mile

AWARDS Congratulations to our October recipients!

WYDOT salutes the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients.

The award is presented to individuals who have traveled the “extra mile” in service to WYDOT.

Martin Christian

Mark Papke

Shane Fox

Brad Schaefer

Kaylee Harmon

Wade Seals

Jim Klopfer For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar at janet.farrar@wyo.gov or Mel Anderson at mel.anderson@wyo.gov.

WTDEA Headquarters chapter hosted their third annual Employee Relief Fund Chili Cook-Off Nov. 13. The chapter was able to donate $591 to the fund.

The event boasted a record number of chili recipes and attendees. There were 16 different chilis for 95 tasters to try.

Tickets were a mere $5 to taste each entry and place one vote. The attendees were allowed a bowl of their favorite to enjoy.

The winner of this year’s cook-off was Dennis Santora. His green chili was the overall winner and Santora will get to display the traveling trophy until next year.

A 50/50 raffle was held at the event and Dolores Luegering was the winner.

The WYDOT Payroll Office was also on hand at the cook-off to accept completed Employee Relief Fund automatic deposit forms.

WTDEA would like to thank all of the entrants who shared their recipes, WyHy who provided the cornbread muffins, members of the payroll office, those who donated fixings and supplies for the cook-off, and last but not least, WTDEA State Board members who helped with planning, serving and clean up.

All proceeds from the cook-off benefit the WTDEA Employee Relief Fund.

Annual WTDEA State Board drawing The WTDEA State Board met in Cheyenne for their annual meeting this Nov. 12-14.

During the meeting, the board members draw a member’s name for a $100 check.

There are six names drawn – one winner per district and headquarters.

The following are the lucky winners.

Headquarters – Tiffanie Young, Patrol; District 1 – Robert Martin, Medicine Bow Maintenance; District 2 – A.L. Gruwell, Douglas Maintenance; District 3 – William Godwart, Evanston Maintenance; District 4 and District 5 had no winners due to incomplete information associated with member’s name.

Photo: WTDEA

2014 Relief Fund chili cook-off a success

A.L. Gruwell from District 2 is presented his $100 check from WTDEA State Board.

Photo: WTDEA

WTDEA

Share your fun!

Tiffanie Young from headquarters with her $100 check.

Get those photos in!

Photo: Rick Carpenter

January Outdoors Halloween came to the WYDOT headquarters building this year in full force. Costumed individuals gathered in the lobby for a festive photo.

Submission deadline:

12/12/14

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov December 2014

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Your WyHy VISA is with you for the season of giving

oming © 2012 State of Wy

1.99 % 2.99 %

APR* APR*

on purchases on balance transfers & cash advances

for transactions made Nov. 15–Dec. 31, 2014

WyHy.org/VISA 800.442.2392 307.638.4200 Cheyenne • 307.234.2373 Casper For each WYDOT and WHP card issued, WyHy will donate $5 to the WTDEA Relief Fund.

Anyone may select the WYDOT or WY Highway Patrol image card design; no affiliation necessary. * APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Full details at WyHy.org/VISA Federally Insured by NCUA.

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Break Time

Let’s play STRIMKO! The object of the puzzle is to fully fill in the given grid with missing numbers observing three simple rules. You place numbers 1-5 into a 5 x 5 grid. Each row, column and connected stream of circles must contain the numbers 1-5.

Each row, column and connected stream of circles must not repeat a number 1-5. Sudoku players: this game is very similar to Sudoku.

Check your answers online at: employees.dot.state.wy.us, or if not able to access the employee site: www.dot.state.wy.us/ home/engineering_technical_programs/manuals_publications/interchange.html.

Medium Strimko 96

2

1

5

4

© The Grabarchuk Family. All Rights Reserved.

more STRIMKO at www.strimko.com

Permission is granted for personal use only. This puzzle may not be duplicated for any kind of profit.

Retiring from WYDOT?

Name:

Or, just need to submit a new address so you don’t miss a single issue of Interchange?

Mailing address: Give us your name and address and we’ll be sure to put you on our mailing list.

Please fill in, cut out and return this slip to WYDOT Public Affairs Office, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009.

Or, e-mail Carlie Van Winkle at carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

December 2014

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Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340

Pre-sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Cheyenne, WY 82009 Permit No. 24

Address Service Requested

Please designate a sober driver this holiday season.