Interchange - March 2012

Interchange a WYDOT publication

March 2012, Vol. 40, Issue 3

PMI

More on Mid-Year Coaching

Counterfeits Seized

Routine Inspection Bags Unusual Find

When Snow Turns

DANGEROUS Teton County Experiences High Avalanche Danger

Interchange

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 e-mail to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Staff WYDOT Director: John F. Cox Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle Writers: Bruce Burrows, Public Affairs Cody Beers, District 5 Ross Doman, District 1 Jeff Goetz, District 2 Ronda Holwell, District 4 Stephanie Harsha, District 3 Dave Kingham, Public Affairs Sgt. Stephen Townsend, Patrol Carlie Van Winkle, Public Affairs Photography: Rick Carpenter, Public Affairs

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Letters

TO THE EDITOR

Rest area helper

Dear WYDOT, I made a trip today Feb. 9, I was headed to Denver with a pipe load on.

I had a blowout at the Guernsy exit on I-25. I went to the nearest turn around and went back to the rest area at Exit 92. I am a 51-year-old female and hadn’t changed a tire in 30 years. Been married 26 and I have three boys, I haven’t had to. I got to the rest area lost as to what to do, so I dug out my jack, spare tire and lug wrench. I looked up and saw a man headed to me who turned out to be the man who took care of the rest area for WYDOT. He was heaven sent. He helped me change my tire and I tried to pay him but he wouldn’t take it. It was no easy task. I had 4,500 pounds on my trailer. The world needs more people like him. I didn’t catch his name, but I am sure you know who he is. I made it back home safely. You have a very good employee there from my perspective.

Thank you, Kimberly DeBusk

Donated sick time much appreciated

I would like to thank everyone who donated me sick leave when my daughter was in the hospital. Thank you all for of your thoughtfulness. It was greatly appreciated.

Breanna Cronk, Highway Safety

WYDOT thanked for wildlife underpass project

Hi John, On behalf of my neighbors, wildlife and my family, thank you for your efforts on the wildlife overpass/underpass project. As I drive along the road, I keep track of the deer numbers and

details. We have so few deer here this winter it’s hard to go get the use of the ramps. I saw antelope moving up from Marbleton last week. Does that mean spring is on the way? Congratulations on your beginning success of this project.

Thanks, Peggy Bryant Cora, WY

Added assistance for Wyoming motorist

I stopped to help a motorist on highway 20/26 at approximately mile marker 20 last night. I wanted to inform you of the great assistance I received from two of your employees. Mike Kurka, a snow plow driver stopped twice (once going out and once coming in) and provided valuable assistance with the process of the vehicle recovery. State Trooper Dan White also stopped and provided warning lights as well as a flashlight at a very opportune time. Without the assistance of these two very professional and dedicated employees of the Department of Transportation the recovery operation may not have been sucessful. I would have bought them both a cup of coffee but they had others to assist. Thanks Mike and Dan!

Christopher Perry

Contents

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10

Seizure of Counterfeits

A routine inspection bags unusual find.

March 2012

12 Also in this issue Letters......................................2 District briefs.....................4

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Avalanche!

The WYDOT Avalanche Program keeping busy.

Extra Mile..............................5 Training....................................6 District news...................17

12

Coaching

WTDEA...................................19

The next step to a successful PMI.

From the Front Wyoming traveler caught in a Teton County avalanche. To read more, see page 10. Cover photo by Jamie Yount/WYDOT.

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District briefs PROJECTS, WORK, MEETINGS

Tourism numbers near record levels in 2011

Reaching 2008 levels, which were the highest for destination spending, preliminary assessments show local and state tax revenues generated by travel in Wyoming were up 6.6% over 2010 with $118 million in tax revenues surpassing 2008’s record of $116 million. This increase comes after a two year dip that the entire nation felt as nearly all sectors of business were affected by the financial crisis and flailing economy.

The report prepared for the state tourism office by Dean Runyan Associates indicates the total number of visitors jumped 4 percent from 8 million to 8.34 million and travel spending increased 8.3 percent over 2010 with $2.88 billion in direct revenues. The record held in 2008 was $2.9 billion.

Diane Shober, Director for the Wyoming Office of Tourism says the numbers are encouraging. “The fact that the number of visitors is up along with visitor spending has a very positive impact on the economy. This is a strong indication that people are willing to travel and our well placed marketing efforts are capturing a share of that market.”

Trip expenditures were up 22 percent from 2010 with an average of $1,116 spent per trip. Visitors spent more money last year in lodging and amenities, entertainment and food services. “If gas prices hold stable, and the economy remains on an even keel, I think we will see some record numbers in tourism spending for the upcoming year but for now we are celebrating an upward swing in numbers across the board,” Shober reiterates.

The state tourism office will continue to hit major markets like Chicago,

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Minneapolis, Portland, Denver, Kansas City and Salt Lake this spring through a series of print, TV and out-of-home or billboard ads. “We have a comprehensive public relations, social media and advertising plan laid out and we’re going to see a really strong national advertising campaign beginning in March,” Shober said.

Trooper awarded Patriotic Employer Award

On Feb. 15, Lt. Terry Vincent was presented a Patriot Award plaque from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for his support of Highway Patrol District 2 troopers who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The plaque was presented

by Dean Welch, program support specialist with the ESGR.

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Lt. Terry Vincent (left), Dean Welch, program support specialist with the ESGR, Trooper Michael Kyte.

Photo: Jeff Goetz/WYDOT

Wind River Project receives award

The DUI “Wind River Project” received an award as part of Service Week to the Community last week in Pavillion. The award was given unanimously by the student body of Wind River High School.

The Wind River Project involves

law enforcement officers from the Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office, Lander Police Department, Riverton Police Department, Shoshoni Police Department, Wind River Police Department and Wyoming Highway Patrol. The project conducts DUI saturation patrols each month.

When the project began this past December, Sheriff ’s Deputy Arnie Zertuche said the project has a single

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Cody Beers of WYDOT (left), Ellare Votruba, Macayla Arrington and Arnie Zertuche, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and School Resource Officer, at the the presentation. Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT focus. “This joint effort is aimed at battling Wyoming’s deadliest crime, drunk driving. Our goal is zero arrests for DUI,” Zertuche said. “Fremont County law enforcement officers want all families and friends to be safe on our highways, streets and roads.

Drunk driving is not worth the risk.

Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for drunk driving can be significant,” said Zertuche. “Remember to stay safe and always have a designated driver.

Remember to drive sober, or get pulled over.”

Continued on page 6

New face in Public Affairs Office I believe life is a journey full of hopes and dreams. In the formative stages of my life’s journey, I sat enthralled by my high school art teachers. They encouraged me to find an art school that suited me. I went. I succeeded. In the years following my college graduation, I set the goal of working for a large firm designing, and perhaps being the art director for a publication. Well, I think that I may have just made that goal become reality.

Carlie I have only been at this desk for a Van Winkle handful of days and already, I see my dream realized. True, this is not Vogue, or Communication Arts, but WYDOT is a very large organization – statewide, in fact. Interchange is widely distributed to many employees, retirees, state lawmakers, city and county officials and various media outlets. Between you and me, I think I’ve checked a few things off of my “bucket list.”

I came to WYDOT in September 2010 as a multimedia specialist for the Management Services office in Cheyenne.

Prior to that, my professional journey encompassed many different titles. I’ve been a paste-up artist (not very glamorous), telephone directory production artist, graphics technical trainer (the days when I felt like a jet setter), graphics technical software manual writer, and a freelance graphic designer. Throughout all of these positions, I maintained that the customer was key and I needed to make every effort possible to make the client happy.

I am excited to be here in the Public Affairs Office and hope to continue the long line of excellence that has brought you Interchange over the years. I encourage you to submit stories, letters, photos of your outdoor adventures and other announcements. I can be reached at 777-4165 or carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov. I look forward to talking to a great number of you in the near future.

Extra Mile

AWARDS Total number of employees:

as of

Jan 27, 2012

2,065

One month ago

2,062

One year ago

2,067

Congratulations to the January and February 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.

January

Toby Gutierrez Roger Webb

February

Roy Weber Harry Evanoff Troy Loos

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.

March 2012 n Interchange

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Continued from page 4

Jensen promoted to lead Dubois engineering crew

A WYDOT project engineer in Basin has been promoted to be the new resident engineer in Dubois.

Doug Jensen began his new duties in Dubois on Feb. 1. “I am looking forward to this opportunity,” Jensen said. Jensen has been employed with WYDOT since 2002.

Prior to WYDOT, Jensen worked as an inspector with Sunrise Engineering in Afton, as a designer with J-U-B Engineers in Kennewick, Wash., and as a draftsman with Doug Jensen Martin and Martin Engineers in Las Vegas, Nev. Jensen, 38, graduated from the Uni-

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versity of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2006, and an associate’s degree in engineering technology from Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., in 1994.

“Doug has design experience from the Laramie Design Squad, which is valuable, especially in the resident engineer position,” said Keith Compton, WYDOT district construction engineer in Basin.

“I enjoy family life, the outdoors and all outdoor activities, especially fishing and boating,” Jensen said. “I am a huge Wyoming Cowboys fan.”

Lamb promoted to lead WYDOT’s District 5 Traffic Program

A WYDOT resident engineer in Dubois has been promoted to lead WYDOT’s traffic program in Northwest Wyoming.

Lyle Lamb, 41, has been on the job as District 5 traffic engineer since December.

“I’m looking forward to working with communities throughout northwest Wyoming,” Lamb said. “I

enjoy working with people, and nearly every citizen is interested in everything associated with traffic signs, signals, speed limits and other issues related to traffic movements. It’ll be a heck of a challenge.”

The 14-year WYDOT veteran is a Powell native. He graduated from Powell High School in 1988. Following four years of service in the U.S. Navy, Lamb attended Northwest College in Powell and then transferred to Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. He graduated from MSU with his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1998.

“Lyle Lamb is a skilled engineer who enjoys people, and that’s an important part of the traffic engineer’s job,” said Shelby Carlson, WYDOT district engineer in Basin.

Lamb joined WYDOT in 1998 as a member of the Lander engineering crew.

Lyle Lamb Lamb replaces Jeff Mellor, who recently transferred to WYDOT’s Traffic Program in Cheyenne.

Training at a glance Here are your training opportunities from WYDOT University and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN)

Date Class Mar 6 Dou ble Header Mar 7 Mar 14 Mar 22 Mar 27 Mar 27-30

Speak Up! Improving Your Assertive Communication Skills How to Successfully Communicate with Your Boss, Co-Workers, and the Public Legal Aspects of Supervision Alternatives to Paving Noxious Weeds New Supervisor Orientation (NSO)

Coming Up in April: Apr 3-6

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Location Cheyenne Cheyenne WYDOT-only TLN TLN TLN Cheyenne Cheyenne

To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to David Talley (777-4792), Jim Boyd (777-4791) or Rhonda DeLeeuw (777-4790). When you call, ask about the videos, books and audiotapes available from the Training Resource Library.

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Lt. Josh Walther displays counterfeit handbags and clothing found during a recent commercial carrier seizure.

Photo: Rick Carpenter/WYDOT

Inspection leads to seizure of counterfeit goods Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers seized name brand counterfeit apparel with an estimated street value of roughly $5.7 million dollars during a commercial vehicle inspection on Feb. 13.

Knowingly selling counterfeit clothing and items is just like stealing. The counterfeiter passes off the item as the real thing, which you pay for, thus stealing your hard earned money.

Eighteen pallets of counterfeit Louis Vuitton faux handbags, Louis Vuitton leather jackets and Nike tennis shoes were seized from a commercial tractor trailer.

The illegal merchandise was seized Monday evening during a traffic stop of the tractor trailer on Interstate 80 approximately one mile west of Cheyenne. During the level III commercial vehicle inspection the Trooper discovered that

there was no listing on the bill of lading as to what the cargo in the trailer actually was.

The imported counterfeit designer clothing is believed to have come from a manufacturer in China. The tractor trailer transporting the counterfeit apparel originated at a port in Los Angeles, and was destined for delivery in New York City.

It is not illegal to buy counterfeit merchandise; however, it is illegal to manufacture such items, as it violates patents, trademarks and other copyright laws.

The Patrol requested assistance from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and all of the counterfeit merchandise was turned over to that agency and is being held at an undisclosed location. Special agents with ICE are attempting to determine the origin and the final delivery

destination of the merchandise.

Continued on page 12

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Coulter selected to fill Commission vacancy Milt Coulter of Gillette was sworn in as a member of the Wyoming Transportation Commission Feb. 16 to represent Commission District 4, which includes Campbell, Sheridan and Johnson counties.

Coulter was appointed to the Milt Coulter Commission by Gov. Matt Mead to fill the vacancy which had resulted from the death of Jim Hladky in a helicopter crash last October.

He is a civil engineering graduate of the University of Wyoming and brings previous experience in

highway and bridge construction to the Commission. Coulter worked for the Wyoming Highway Department (WYDOT’s predecessor agency) during two summers in the early 1960s, while he was a student at UW. He then worked full-time for the department from 1964 to 1967, first as a surveyor in the Laramie field office and then as an engineer for the Bridge Program.

Coulter went on to enjoy a long and successful career in real estate development in various locations around Wyoming.

He also has previous experience in public service,

having served on the Wyoming Real Estate Commission from 1975 to 1981. Coulter is a former member of the Wyoming Army National Guard and the Gillette Rotary Club, and a current member of the American Legion Drill Team.

Coulter with Judge Campbell at his swearing in ceremony.

Photo: Rick Carpenter/WYDOT

Curtis Olson CFD Volunteer of the Year 2011 Curtis Olson, senior staff technician with the Field Operations Program at WYDOT Headquarters, has been named Cheyenne Frontier Days Public Relations Volunteer of the Year 2011.

He has been a volunteer at CFD for seven years. In his first year volunteering for CFD, he was recognized as Rookie of the Year. Olson has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year a couple of times before, but states, “I’m just honored that I’ve been on the ballot.” When asked what the best part of being named Public Relations Volunteer of the Year for 2011 was, he responded, “The most exciting part of winning…it’s that it was a secret. I had no idea.”

Olson explains that there are over 2,500 volunteers from all over the United States who participate in making CFD what it is each July. There are 10 committees that help out and the Public Relations committee has roughly 243 members. Out of each committee, the CFD assistants and coordinators submit nominations for voting. There are only 10 volunteers chosen per year.

The 2011 volunteers of the year

Proud CFD volunteer, Olson displays his awards. He looks forward to taking his next vacation to volunteer at CFD this coming July.

Photo: Rick Carpenter/WYDOT

will be in the Grand Parade scheduled for Tuesday, July 24. The 10 will ride on the Volunteer of the Year float and then be introduced at the Grand Entry immediately following the parade at Cheyenne Frontier Days Park.

WYDOT has many CFD volunteers, several whom have also won Volunteer of the Year awards. “CFD is a lot of hard work, but it’s also a lot of fun,” says Olson.

Congratulations, Curtis.

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Avalanche!

The WYDOT Avalanche Program keeping busy

WYDOT avalanche technician Jamie Yount always knew where he belonged — in the mountains skiing. Growing up at Bridger Bowl Ski Area in Bozeman, Mont., Yount spent his days hanging out with the ski patrol and exploring the mountain snow. It seems fitting he would find his calling in avalanche forecasting and control.

“This is what I’ve always wanted to do,” Yount commented.

“I made it a goal of mine from the beginning.”

Yount enrolled at the University of Utah, earning a degree in meteorology, and then found his niche in Teton County, where he began a career with WYDOT in 2002. Yount has been an integral part of the Jackson Maintenance crew ever since.

“He really is a key component in our avalanche programs,” District Maintenance Engineer Tory Thomas said.

Yount builds partnerships with ski resorts and local organizations, is a member of the Teton Search and Rescue (see page 12), and attends numerous national and international

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avalanche workshops. He is also part of a seasoned local maintenance team led by veteran Ed Smith, who has been with WYDOT for over 30 years. Yount also works closely with Galen Richards; District 3’s other certified avalanche technician, who joined WYDOT in 1991.

WYDOT began its avalanche control programs well before Richards and Yount came on board. In the 1960s, WYO 22 was realigned through Teton Pass. The threat of avalanche reared its ugly head when a massive slide down “Glory Bowl” came crashing down on the new highway. WYDOT immediately knew some sort of management would be critical for the safety of travelers through the winter season.

Soon after, the WYDOT Avalanche Program was born.

Avalanche technician’s jobs are twofold: forecasting and control.

“When forecasting, the key is to keep a sharp eye on the weather. It has been said that weather is the architect of all avalanches,” Yount advises. “We track the weather and watch the snowpack evolve through the season.”

The second half of an avalanche technician’s job is to control and prevent avalanches.

“The idea is to bring them down in a controlled environment,” Yount commented.

Left: Over 20 bank slides of various sizes were observed on Teton Pass, in some cases, pushing 20 feet of snow or more over the roadway.

Above: WYDOT Maintenance crews clear several feet of snow from the roadway.

Photos: Jamie Yount/WYDOT

Controlled avalanches are initiated throughout the winter season, as needed when a slide has emerged through forecasting.

There are several ways in which avalanches can be controlled. They range from simple snow sails and reinforced snow fences that prevent deep accumulations, to helicopter bombings that bring down entire slides.

Avalanche technicians like Yount are members of the Avalanche Artillery Users of North America and are trained and certified to fire artillery guns like the Howitzer M-102 and M-101 in order to bring down the snowpack in controlled situations. They also utilize GazEx Control Systems, which are controlled surface explosions initiated remotely in common avalanche areas like Teton Pass.

Technicians like Yount spend their summers maintaining and servicing all their equipment, preparing for the following winter season.

“It is really a year round job,” Yount said. “We prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

This season’s snowpack has shown some peculiar and uncommon traits, causing a few more surprise slides this year, including many avalanche paths that have not touched highways in decades.

Yount explains that the unusual weather is to blame. This

year’s season has exhibited long dry spells between large storms, causing upside down conditions that overload weak snow packs.

“It creates a layer of sugary-like snow with a weak crust on the top. Now imagine a big storm rapidly drops a heavy load of new snow on the top,” Yount explains. “The snowpack can’t adjust to the heavy load.”

The snowpack gives and an avalanche is born. Yount explains that under ideal conditions, the snowpack builds continuously and slowly, like adding weight to a backpack.

“If you wearing a backpack and someone added 5 pounds a little at a time, you could probably carry a lot of weight. But if someone tried to drop 50 pounds in your backpack at once, your knees would buckle. That is similar to the snowpack this year,” Yount said.

This, with the combination of very strong westerly winds, made for an exceptional avalanche cycle recently, which produced 16 major avalanche events in the Jackson area. Over 20 bank slides of various sizes occurred along WYO 22 over Teton Pass, in some cases, pushing snow as deep as 20 feet over the roadway.

A WYDOT avalanche The recent storm and avatechnician setting lanche cycle began the morning a charge to control of Wednesday, Jan. 18 and quickly avalanches in order to forced WYDOT officials to close preserve public safety. the road earlier than scheduled, Photo: Jamie Yount/ for avalanche control and snow WYDOT maintenance.

One avalanche area, Surprise Slide, had not initiated an avalanche since 1987.

Teton Pass was not the only highway to see closures due to avalanche issues in Teton County. US 191, in Hoback Canyon, experienced closures throughout the week as well.

WYDOT crews worked continuously to reduce the slide threat with controlled avalanche reduction work and snow removal and maintenance in order to preserve public safety on WYO 22 and US 191.

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Continued from page 8

All Highway Patrol troopers are required to perform level III inspections on commercial vehicles. At a minimum, level III inspections must include, where required and applicable, examination of the driver’s license; medical examiner’s certificate driver’s record of duty status; hours of service; seat belt; vehicle inspection report(s); and hazardous material requirements.

At this time the driver and the tractor trailer have been released. This case remains under investigation.

Story written by WHP Sgt. Stephen Townsend.

Be safe. Be home on time.

Think about others.

JAMIE

and Teton County Search and Rescue are reminding you to be SAFE in the

backcountry this winter.

1 Check the weather and avalanche forecast at jhavalanche.org before you go.

2 If in doubt, don’t go.

Heading out is always optional, coming home is not.

3 Have a plan, know your route, and let someone know where you are headed and when you expect to be back.

4 Check the batteries in your beacon regularly, and always carry a shovel and probe.

5 Never go alone!

Support TCSAR volunteers at tetoncountysar.org

Forklift unloading seized merchandise.

Photo: Rick Carpenter/WYDOT

Teton County Search and Rescue advertisement featuring Jamie Yount, Jackson maintenance staff.

Reprinted with permission from Jackson Hole News and Guide/Jackson Hole Daily

Interchange Submissions For future Interchanges, submit your information to Carlie Van Winkle at carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

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Continued from page 11 “It is starting to look like we are averaging one big storm a month and dry weather in between.” Yount said.

“It has been kind of strange.”

Thomas and the rest of District 3’s staff are thankful for the specialized and diligent work Richards, Yount and the rest of the avalanche team execute.

“The Jackson crews are experienced and an exceptional group of snow commanders,” District Maintenance Engineer Tory Thomas said. “They do great work.”

How good of work do they do?

Since the avalanche program’s inception, there has yet to be a recorded highway fatality caused by a slide. The only recorded fatality in WYDOT’s avalanche history came in 1956 when a man was killed at Crater Lake by a

large Glory Bowl slide.

Harsha, Public Involvement Specialist WYDOT plow driver Don Fisher for District 3. came close to becoming a fatality when his truck swept off the road and buried by the Glory Slide in 1988. Fisher was rescued after several hours by WYDOT personnel.

Yount said when working with mountain weather and avalanches, you never really see the same thing twice. The real danger is complacency and underestimating Mother Nature’s ability to change weather conditions almost instantly.

“I always see something new every season,” Yount said. “So I never take anything for granted. You never know Maintenance crews clear the roadway what you will see the next season.” for travel.

Photo: Jamie Yount/WYDOT Story written by Stephanie

Avalanche Survival Tips

When Traveling Through the Mountains:

1. Be prepared.

Always be prepared for winter travel with good winter tires, chains, supplies, full fuel tank, winter clothing, etc. The first rule of winter survival and comfort is to stay dry.

2. Obey all Closures.

The best way to survive an avalanche is to avoid being in one. Please acknowledge all traffic regulations and park only in designated areas. Avoid stopping or parking in restricted areas.

3. Watch for Signs.

Some highways have warning signs to alert you of avalanche areas. Variable message signs may describe conditions & restrictions. Highway Advisory Radio reports have more detailed information and are frequently updated.

4. Notice Your Environment.

Watch for changing conditions and drive cautiously. Remember, “Ice and snow, take it slow.” Take note the terrain on either side of the road and be attentive.

If You See an Avalanche: 1. STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE. Additional avalanches are likely.

2. Do not attempt to drive through it.

3. Call 911 and report the avalanche from your location.

4. Try to position your vehicle so that snow removal equipment can get by.

If You Are Caught in an Avalanche: 1. STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE, someone will come to your aid. It is very dangerous outside your vehicle and you will be hard to see for coming motorists or rescuers.

2. Turn off your engine. The carbon monoxide will fill up your car if snow is blocking your exhaust pipe, and it could kill you.

3. Stay warm, put on additional clothing as needed.

4. Report it from your vehicle if possible, and wait for help to arrive.

5. Use your horn to draw attention to your vehicle if possible.

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The Next Step to a Successful PMI Midterm review and coaching, the next step in the new Performance Management Initiative for all state employees, must be completed by March 31.

“The main task is to provide feedback to the employees and allow the employees to make comments or ask questions,” Deputy Human Resources Manager Anne McIlvaine said. “It’s a really good opportunity to sit down and go over everything that they did during the initial planning stage.”

The planning phase completed by Dec. 31, included setting SMART goals for employees and establishing the five core competencies for the position the employee holds.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based goals. During the midterm review, supervisors should sit down with their employees and discuss how they are doing in meeting those goals.

“We want supervisors to look over those goals, talk to their employees about where they are in the process, and are there any changes that need to be made,” McIlvaine said.

“They have the ability to go in and make changes to those goals. You can consider whether the goals are still relevant and if the time set to meet them is realistic. You may have reached some of your goals and need new ones.”

The purpose of the review is constructive feedback to employees about whether they are moving in the right direction and doing the things that will make them successful in the workplace.

The five core competencies set during the planning phase are the levels of competency expected of anyone in the position in the areas of communication, customer service, judgment and decision making, personal effectiveness and being

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a team player.

“The competencies have been set for the position, not the person, and now it’s time for supervisors to go over these competencies with their employees and coach them on how you want them to do their job,” McIlvaine said. “If they’re doing great, communicate that with the employee. If they’re right on target range, tell them why and give them examples, and discuss that.”

Workplace coaching also includes letting the employee know how they are doing in following department policies, rules and regulations in the use of leave, maintaining their work schedule, appearance and work performance.

“The midterm review is going over the whole thing again with your employee and making the edits and changes needed,” Human Resources Manager Lon Pfau said. “The supervisor needs to do it and then they need to share it with the employee before they click “Complete.”

Once a supervisor has completed the midterm review and discussed it with an employee, the employee is encouraged to review it and print a copy, because once they have approved it, they won’t be able to see it in their PMI queue.

“We’ve had a lot of issues where the employees can’t see their PMIs after they press ‘Complete.’” McIlvaine said. “A&I is aware of the problem and hopefully that will change in the future. We recommend employees make copies of their PMI at this point prior to clicking “Complete.”

You can log into your PMI queue at https://ondemand. halogensoftware.com/wyoming/welcome.jsp. Your user name is your employee identification number preceded by five or six zeros. If you can’t remember your password since you

Left: The purpose of the review is constructive feedback to each employee about whether they are meeting the core competencies.

Photo: Rick Carpenter/WYDOT

Below: Each employee should be coached on how they are doing in following department policies, rules and regulations, maintaining work schedules, appearance and work performance.

Photo: Rick Carpenter/WYDOT

created it during the planning phase, a “Forgot password?” option has been added to the login page.

The PMI was created to ensure better communication between employees and supervisors during annual employee evaluations. The evaluation system being used was created through a collaborative effort by the Department of Administration and Information Human Resources Division and employees from various state agencies.

Statewide, more than 90 percent of state employees completed their PMI planning phase by the Dec. 31 deadline, a higher percentage than completed performance appraisals under the previous system.

“Our supervisors were great,” McIlvaine said. “We are the largest state agency and we had everyone participate in the

training portion.

There were some special circumstances out there, but everyone got it done and it was a lot of hard work in a short amount of time.”

For more information on the PMI, employees can visit www.wyomingpmi.org/. Employees also can also view the online training modules to learn more about the process.

Story written by Dave Kingham, Public Affairs Office.

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Obituaries Robert “Bob” Heckert

WYDOT retiree, Robert “Bob” Heckert died Jan. 24 in Philip, S.D. He was 76.

Heckert was a member of the Lander maintenance crew for 20 years, retiring in May 1997.

Heckert was born in VanTassell, Wyo. and raised in Scottsbluff, Neb. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1958. He moved to Denver, Colo. after his discharge from the Air Force.

He worked for the city of Englewood, Colo. for 17 years before relocating to Lander. Heckert moved to Philip, S.D. following his retirement from WYDOT. He is survived by his wife, Madeline; son Michael; stepson Bradley; stepdaughter Pamela; and five stepgrandchildren.

Memorial services were held Friday, Feb. 3 in Rapid City, S.D.

Jack Kersting

Retired maintenance foreman in Elk Mountain, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11 in Laramie. He retired June 2006 after 37 years of service.

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Storeroom News!

In response to our recent customer service survey, these new items are now available through the Storeroom: OF5001- Pen, Retractable, Rollerball, Gel (Black, Blue, Red, or Green) OF0960- Clip, Paper, Jumbo OF1341- Drive, Flash 32GB “Thumb Drive” OF1347- Disk, CD, Rewritable, 700MB OF7586- Glove, Leather Work XXL EN0830- Paint, Marking, Aerosol, Inverted, White

Ordered items may differ from brands shown.

Check Interchange for other new items as they become available.

Need more information? Contact Jeff Madden with any questions.

(307) 777-4406 or charles.madden@wyo.gov

District news

headquarters, districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Headquarters

Retirements

Congratulations to the following employees on their retirements: Sharon Gostovich, Fuel Tax examination manager; Debra Koch, Patrol Dispatch supervisor; Charlett Leece, Patrol Records supervisor; Janet Miller, Financial Services accountant; and Joe Perea, Traffic.

Welcome

Welcome to headquarters, recent new hires: Andrew Freeman, Materials project engineer; Margaret Mordahl, Driver Services Administration; Derek Weekly, Financial Services; Jon Peterson, Fuel Tax examiner; Jason Hartley, design specialist-Planning; Sarah Demers, Highway Safety; Jason Gass, Intelligent Transportation Systems; Jordon Dulin, Information Technology support; and David Norrod, Jr., Geology-driller.

February service awards

Congratulations to the following employees on their years of service: Kenneth Shultz, assistant chief engineer operations – 30 years Timothy Babbitt, Materials-Bituminous – 30 years Bradley Freeman, Materials-Bituminous – 30 years Jeffrey Sherman, Highway Development/Project Development – 25 years Martin McCoy, Telecommunications/WYOLINK – 25 years Matthew Johnson, Planning-Counter Shop – 20 years Jeffery Mellor, Traffic – 15 years Lee Roadifer, Traffic – 15 years Nathan Graves, Highway Development/Project Development – five years Carol Anderson, Budget-Federal Aid – five years

Goodbye

Aimee Inama, Public Affairs Office; Laurie Leneschmidt, Information Technology; and Susannah McClendon, ITS/GIS.

The deadline for the April Interchange is Mar. 16th Email your information to carlie.vanwinkle@ wyo.gov

Service award luncheons

The service award luncheons are held monthly by the Transportation Commission for those employees who are celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater.

January’s service award recipients: (front l to r) Jerry Plumley, Paul Huck, Tim Cisneros. (back l to r) Brock Wollerman, Nathan Fierro, Allen Hebert.

Photo: Rick Carpenter/WYDOT

February’s service award recipients: (front l to r) Martin McCoy, Jeff Sherman, Bob Rothwell, Brad Freeman. (back l to r) Steve Hinton, Ken Shultz, Tim Babbitt. Not pictured: Ed Douma and David Clabaugh.

Photo: Rick Carpenter/WYDOT

March 2012 n Interchange

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District 1

Goodbye

Welcome

Welcome to Cody Calhoun, Laramie Maintenance; Michelle GainesLandry, Laramie Construction; and Brooke Howard, design assistant with the Laramie Design Squad.

February service awards

Congratulations to the following employees on their years of service: Kelly Finn, Elk Mountain Patrol Field – 15 years Alvin Smock, Pine Bluffs Maintenance – 10 years Brian Pennock, Laramie Construction – five years Richard Colling, Laramie Patrol Field – five years

Cradle Call

Congratulations to Corey and Jessica Kimzey on the birth of their son, Connor Dean Kimzey.

Connor came into the world on Feb. 9 weighing 5 pounds 14 ounces!!

He was welcomed at home by big sister, 2.5-year-old, Taylor. Corey works in Laramie for the Electrical and Signing Crew.

Justin Burch, Laramie Maintenance.

District 2

Welcome

Welcome to District 2, recent new hires: Jamie Hill, Casper Human Resources; and Valerie Lane, Casper Port of Entry.

February service awards

Congratulations to the following employees on their years of service: Steven Hinton, Casper Mechanics – 30 years Gary Peterson, Torrington Construction – 25 years William Kirkman, Casper Patrol Field – 15 years Howard Parkin, Douglas Patrol Field – 15 years Matthew Goetz, Wheatland Maintenance – 10 years

Goodbye

Examiner; and Kenneth Wilhelm, Douglas Construction.

District 3

Welcome

Welcome to District 3, recent new hires: Robert Fladland, Evanston Port of Entry; and Jacob Jereb, Jr., Rock Springs Highway Maintenance.

February service awards

Congratulations to the following employees on their years of service: Barry Tippy, Rock Springs PatrolField – 10 years Scott Lym, Evanston Maintenance – five years

Goodbye

Brendan Toth, Highway Patrol Evanston.

Retirement

Virginia Carter, Port of Entry Supervisor.

Howard Bise, Chugwater Maintenance; Ricky Devries, Casper CDL

WTDEA events/store Store

Hats: WTDEA State Board is selling hats. The hats are $18. Contact your WTDEA representative for more information.

Pigskin leather work gloves: $5.25 for members, and $6.25 for non members. Call Tina Thomas

at 777-4486.

Cookbook: The Roadkill cookbook, $10. Call Barbara Thomasee at 777-4494.

If you would like your WTDEA event in the Interchange, please contact Tina Thomas at: tina.thomas@wyo.gov or Tony Niswender, state board president at: Anthony.Niswender@wyo.gov

18 Interchange n March 2012

District 4

Welcome

Welcome to District 4, recent new hires: Floyd Hermes, Gillette Maintenance; Jerimya Jensen, Moorcroft Maintenance; and Tanya Hoyer, Port of Entry assistant at the Sundance POE.

February service awards

Congratulations to Ronnie Moseman Jr., Sheridan Patrol Field, on his 15 years of service.

Goodbye

Jerry Richards, Reno Junction Maintenance; and Scottlin Lenz, Sundance Maintenance.

Retirement

Congratulations to Jon Steinke, Lander Maintenance; and Katherine Vann, Riverton Driver Services on their recent retirements.

Congratulations

Twin Spruce Junior High School ninth grader Katie Schrater granddaughter of Frank Schrater, Buffalo Maintenance crew, was among last month’s students of the week. She is a member of the National Honor Society and 4-H Club. She has also received the Evans Orthodontist Scholar AthKatie lete Award.

Schrater

District 5

Welcome

Welcome to District 4, recent new hires: Kayla Caines and Laurie Smith Riverton Driver Services Field Examiners; and Clifford Wise, Thermopolis Mechanics.

February service awards

Congratulations to the following employees on their years of service: Daniel Smith, Worland Patrol Field – 15 years William Gotfredson, Worland Maintenance – 10 years

Goodbye

Brian Jahnke, Shoshoni Maintenance; and David Rees, Riverton Maintenance.

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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

Interchange reader survey The Public Affairs Office would like to get a better idea of what you want from your department magazine. Please take a few minutes to respond to this short survey and return it (via mail or fax) to the Public Affairs Office by Mar. 31.

The survey can also be easily taken online at: http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/f58eg4ea12 Thank you for your assistance.

1. How much of the Interchange do you usually read?

Most Part Little None 2. Please let us know your level of interest in the following types of content by checking the appropriate box.

Very Interested Somewhat Interested Neutral Slightly Interested No Interest Letters to the editor District briefs Feature stories Safety tips and information Outdoors section Service award photos Personnel stories (promotions, awards) Personnel reports (new hires, retirements) Employee features (hobbies, outside activities) Family news (cradle call, weddings, obituaries) WTDEA news and events Training calendar WYDOT program you would be interested in learning about Interest in an online Interchange (e-magazine for tablets)