T EPARTMENT OF Odessa lands 4 major awards...
Transcript of T EPARTMENT OF Odessa lands 4 major awards...
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Odessa lands 4major awards
...and our
own Ray
Valverde
takes
second in
state Truck
Rodeo!
By Mike C. McAnally
District Engineer
Fall is upon us and the weather is finally
cooling off a bit. I know that we are all glad
for that and the few rain showers we’ve had.
Fall means different things to each of us,
but to our maintenance offices it means
preparing for possible snow and ice this win-
ter. Our construction personnel will be enter-
ing a slower time of year and looking forward
to some training opportunities. The design
staff has its hands full with preparing plans,
not just for our normal funding but also for
additional Proposition 12 projects that I’d like
to let soon. District staff and office managers
will continue their daily jobs of support, a
sometimes thankless, but very important, role.
Fall also marks the start of the holiday sea-
son. We have Halloween today, followed by
Thanksgiving’s feast and then the celebration
of Christmas and a New Year. The most im-
portant aspect of these holidays is celebrating
with our families and friends. I truly want all
employees to make sure they take time to
enjoy these grander times of the year, and I
wish you the best for your holidays.
In case you’ve been too busy to read any
TxDOT news (or you live in a cave), we have
a new Executive Director, Mr. Phil Wilson.
Mr. Wilson began in the middle of October
and was introduced at the annual Transporta-
tion Short Course in College Station. I’m pos-
itive he will be a great leader for this agency,
and he brings some very refreshing ideas that
will benefit us all, so keep your eyes peeled.
Last but certainly not least, we have contin-
ued to do an excellent job in the area of
safety. I am meeting with a district-assigned
committee this month to review some “Best
Practices” that have been outlined in our Mis-
sion to Zero. I hope to share those ideas with
all of you very soon. Please continue the dedi-
cation you’ve had to safety and let’s watch
out for our fellow workers so everyone may
enjoy their families and friends over the holi-
days. Remember, “It is better to lose one
minute of life than to lose one life in a
minute.” Always keep safety first — every
single minute.
Surveying the district
Mike McAnallyOdessa District Engineer
A saluteMike McAnally, left, accepts
an appreciation plaque from
Ruben Rodriguez, center,
and Oscar Sandate for the
Odessa District’s support of
the National Guard. The
plaque reads: “Presented to
an American Patriot for Sup-
port of National Guard Sol-
diers who are Defending
Freedom at Home and
Around the World. The Amer-
ican Flag in this Case is a
Replica of Those Worn by
National Guard Soldiers. The
Flag Insignia is Reversed to
Suggest the Flag is Flying in
the Breeze as the Soldiers
Move Forward.”
Mr. Phil WilsonTxDOT Executive Director
Wilson takes reinsIs September, the Texas Transportation
Commission selected Mr. Phil Wilson as the
Texas Department of Transportation’s
(TxDOT) 19th executive director.
Mr. Wilson’s resume includes his recent job
as senior vice president of public affairs for
Luminant, an electric generation company
headquartered in Dallas, and a stint as Texas
Secretary of State.
Mr. Wilson has also served as Chairman of
the Governor’s Competitiveness Council,
where he helped find ways the state could im-
prove its economic position for continued
long-term success. Mr. Wilson’s public serv-
ice also includes time as an aide to U.S. Sen.
Phil Gramm and on the senior staff of Gov.
Rick Perry.
“Phil’s experience as a public servant and
member of the Texas business community has
prepared him well to lead the department as it
continues to modernize,” said Mr. Ted
Houghton, chair of the Texas Transportation
Commission’s executive director search com-
mittee.
“I am honored to be selected as the next ex-
ecutive director of TxDOT. This is an agency
with a rich history in successfully building for
our future with dedicated employees,” Mr.
Wilson said. “I look forward to working with
the agency, Commission, Legislature and
local communities on the most efficient and
effective ways to build infrastructure for
Texas.”
Mr. Wilson succeeds Mr. Amadeo Saenz,
Jr., who retired from state service at the end
of August. Mr. Wilson is the department’s
first executive director since 2009 legislation
removed the requirement that the position be
occupied by a professional engineer.
Mr. Wilson has a bachelor’s from Hardin-
Simmons University in Abilene and a mas-
ter’s in business administration from SMU.
Wilson’s own take on his first week on the job...Good afternoon. My first week on the job
as your new executive director was a great
one for me, and I want to share a few
thoughts about my experiences last week
and where I would like for us to head to-
gether. Let me begin by telling you how
proud and excited I am to be at TxDOT. Last
week I had the opportunity to meet some
great people and learn about the good work
they do for us every day. Thank you all for
your service and for the warm welcome ex-
tended to me as I became part of the TxDOT
family.
I also had the opportunity to visit with our
Modernization Leadership Team and to learn
more about our Modernization effort. I be-
lieve it is very important for you to know
that I am personally committed to this effort
and our goals to become a performance–dri-
ven organization that is known for our qual-
ity customer service and as a great place to
work. I will also walk the talk as we estab-
lish a leadership model in our agency that
encourages collaboration and innovation.
There are many changes under way at
TxDOT, and other changes are sure to come.
These changes are intended to help make
our jobs easier and to allow us to be more
efficient and effective in the work we do. At
the Short Course, I mentioned I have an
open door policy and that I want to hear
from you. Please feel comfortable sharing
your ideas and suggestions with me. If an
idea helps our employees, better serves our
customers and stakeholders or helps us de-
liver the best transportation system possible,
then it is an idea worth considering. I en-
courage you to submit any suggestions you
may have to [email protected].
I commit to you that each suggestion will
be reviewed, that our employees and stake-
holders will be heard and that a disciplined
approach to implementing any changes we
decide to make will be followed. I am ex-
cited to be here and look forward to working
with you as we work together to make
TxDOT better tomorrow than it is today.
— Phil
Let me begin by
telling you how
proud and excited
I am to be at
TxDOT. Last week
I had the
opportunity to
meet some great
people and learn
about the good
work they do for us
every day. Thank
you all for your
service and for the
warm welcome
extended to me as
I became part of
the TxDOT family.
Service AwardsAugust
Roy S. Garcia ............................Sign Tech III ..................15 years
George Salcido ..................Main. Support Tech IV ..........15 years
Mike Valenzuela....................Trans Main Tech V ............15 years
Andrew Bustamante ..............Gen. Engr. Tech II................5 years
Ernest A. Fuentez ................Trans. Main. Tech III..............5 years
Miguel G. Gonzales ............Trans. Main Tech IV..............5 years
September
Dion L. Jackson ....................Gen. Trans. Tech II ..............5 years
Clayton B. Kirkland ............Utility Coordinator I ..............5 years
New HiresAugust
Pedro Rosales ......................General Trans Tech I ........McCamey
Evan Ortiz............................General Trans Tech I ........McCamey
Juan Galan ..........................General Trans Tech I ........McCamey
Evans K. Kessey..................General Trans Tech I ............Stanton
Elizabeth A. Deitch..............General Trans Tech I ............Stanton
September
Johnny Jasso ..........................Gen. Trans. Tech I................Odessa
Position ChangesAugust
Victor Mondragon...............................from Special Crew to Pecos
September
Joe Hinojos.........................................from Fort Stockton to Crane
Carolyn Dill........................from Odessa Administration to Austin
On Down the RoadAugust
Dimas Lopez................Fort Stockton ................................Retired
Jerry McGuairt ........Fort Stockton Area ............................Retired
Vance Mondragon ............Odessa ..................................Resigned
Danny Marquez......Odessa Construction ....End of Temp Employ
Mario Hinojos........Odessa Special Crew........................Resigned
Victor Martinez ................Odessa ........................................Retire
Wyatt Abbott ..........Fort Stockton Area ......End of Temp Employ
Jacob Benavidez ............Sanderson ............End of Temp Employ
Patrick Ramirez ..........Fort Stockton ..........End of Temp Employ
Blake Stewart ..............Midland Area ..........End of Temp Employ
Ryan Mondragon ..........Balmorhea ............End of Temp Employ
September
Antonio Reynosa ..............Odessa ..................................Resigned
Ella Hightower ......Odessa Traffic Shop ........................Resigned
Dan Dalager ................Midland Area ................................Retired
Jesus Machuca ................Midland ....................................Retired
Juan Galan......................McCamey ................................Resigned
BirthsLarry Ornelas, supervisor in Monahans, is a proud
grandpa again. His son Jeremy and wife, Nicole, are proud
parents of Ian Thomas, born Oct. 3 in the Dallas/Fort Worth
area.
Ian weighed 9 pounds and is 20.5 inches long and is wel-
comed by Aubrey, his 2-year-old sister.
Congratulations to the Ornelas family.jjj
Mandi Gipson-Mitchell and her husband, Tom, are
proud parents of a baby boy. Little Ethan Edward was born
Friday, Sept. 2. He weighed 8 lbs and was 22 inches long.
As most of you may remember, Mandi worked in the
Odessa accounting office for a time and now works at the
regional accounting office in Lubbock.
Congratulations Mandi!jjj
Kermit office manager Susan Willhelm is thrilled to re-
port that her first
grandchild is out of
the hospital and
doing well.
As we men-
tioned last newslet-
ter, Bronx Bryan
Bates was born at
9:14 a.m. Aug. 22,
weighing 3 lbs, 5
oz. and measuring
16 3/4 inches. He
was born at 28
weeks and had to
spend the first
seven weeks in the
Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit at
Odessa Regional
Medical Center.
He was dis-
charged on Oct. 8
— a month before
his original Nov. 10
due date — and had to use an apnea monitor to monitor his heart
and breathing. Susan said he’s doing all the things a 2-month-old
should be doing, so that’s great news.
“Our family can’t thank everyone enough for their prayers; we
know that the prayers helped us get through all we had to endure
seeing him become healthy enough to come home,” she said.
Bronx will still be under close watch for a while, but the fact
that he’s already gone home is a great sign.
DeathsZacarias Leyva, father of Joe Leyva in our Iraan Main-
tenance section, passed away Sunday morning, Oct. 9, at
the Fort Stockton Nursing Home. He was 90 years old.
Please keep the Leyva family in your thoughts and
prayers.
It’s the People
Ted HoughtonNew Commission chair
Deirdre DelisiFormer Commission chair
Jeff Austin IIICommissioner
Fred UnderwoodCommissioner
Ned S. HolmesCommissioner
William MeadowsCommissioner
When Deirdre Delisi decided to step down
from the Texas Transportation Commission to
join Gov. Rick Perry’s campaign to be our
next president, she set off a chain reaction.
Not only was Perry left with moving some-
one into the chairmanship Delisi had held
since 2008, but he also had the task of finding
a new person to appoint to the five-member
governing body.
With other matters at hand for the Texas
governor, Perry moved quickly to mark both
of those tasks of his “to do” list.
Ted Houghton was appointed by Perry to
take Delisi’s chair slot effective Oct. 7.
According to GPA in Austin, Houghton
was first appointed to the Commission in
2003 and was reappointed in 2009. A native
of El Paso, Houghton is self-employed in the
financial services industry. He is the first resi-
dent of El Paso to serve on the Commission.
“I’d like to thank Gov. Perry for his trust in
me to continue TxDOT down a path of re-
sponsiveness, change and modernization. I
look forward to leading the department as it
becomes a better TxDOT, living up to the ex-
pectations of the Governor, the Legislature
and our stakeholders,” Houghton said.
“Texas is a national leader in infrastructure
and transportation system development, and I
intend to reaffirm our place among the best,
strongest and most innovative states as
TxDOT delivers the projects the Legislature,
our local partners and Texas motorists ex-
pect.”
Houghton previously served on the School
Land Board, the El Paso Water Utilities Pub-
lic Service Board, El Paso's Rapid Transit
Board, the board of directors of the El Paso
Electric Company and as president of the Sun
Bowl Association. He was also a member of
the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Committee.
Ted is married to Hettie Cardon Houghton
and they have five children — Jennifer
Houghton Lindsay, Cinco, John, Michael and
Chris Houghton.
Once Houghton was in place, Perry moved
on to appointing Jeff Austin III of Tyler to the
Texas Transportation Commission for a term
to expire Feb. 1, 2013.
Austin is vice chairman of Austin Bank and
Texas NA. He is a board member of First
State Bank in Athens and Capital Bank in
Houston and past president of First State
Bank Frankston. He is a board member and
past chair of the Texas Bankers Association
and a member of the American Bankers Asso-
ciation Government Relations Committee and
the Bank CEO Network. He is also an execu-
tive committee member and past director of
the Texas Lyceum. He is a board member of
the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum, past
presiding officer of the North East Texas Re-
gional Mobility Authority and past board
chair of the Tyler Area Chamber of Com-
merce.
Austin earned a bachelor’s degree and mas-
ter’s in business administration from the Uni-
versity of Texas at Tyler.
Departure changes face of commission
I’d like to thank...
Operations Director Bryan Raschke, from left, and project chief inspector Jesus Garcia join Reece Al-
bert employees Ernest Amaya and Phillip Hernandez is accepting the 2011 Texas Asphalt Pavement
Association award for the best Full Depth, Small asphalt job in the state. The award was presented
for the work done on SH 115 in Andrews.
Reece Albert, Odessa honored for Highway 115 projectThe Odessa District and Reece Al-
bert Inc. of San Angelo got a huge pat
on the back when the Texas Asphalt
Pavement Association gave the Full
Depth, Small category award to a proj-
ect on Highway 115 in Andrews.
Jesus Garcia was the chief inspector
for TxDOT on the project, and Chad
Windham was the project supervisor.
The TXAPA win propels the project
to the national competition.
Here are some excerpts from the
TXAPA nomination:
>> Any project that reroutes trafficin a community’s busiest intersectionhas inherent challenges to overcome.Reece Albert was able to meet those
challenges in Andrews, Texas, whileputting out a high quality road thatmet contract terms and earned them$150,000 in performance bonuses.
The project was the reconstructionof Highway 115/176, a 1.535-milestretch that traversed the heart of An-drews from West 14th to East 7th.
>> “The job went very well; and thecontractor did an excellent job work-ing with local businesses to minimizeinconveniences and accommodatethrough and local traffic,” AndrewsCity Manager Glen Hackler said.“This was no small feat as it involvednearly $1 million in streetscape en-hancements and curb/gutter work and
included the complete reconstructionof Andrews’ busiest intersection ...U.S.385 (Main) and SH 115 (Broadway).”
>> “The benefits have been betterroadway design, improved safety byeliminating and/or consolidating curbcuts or openings along SH 115/176,”Hackler said.
>> “It’s absolutely beautiful, so thedesign work was done very well,” saidStan Leeper, an Andrews businessmanwho owns property at the intersection.
>> “I thought you staged it prettywell because the intersection was neverreally closed,” Leeper said. “It mayhave taken you guys longer to do it thatway, but it sure helped out a lot.”
When the Odessa District contracted with Greater Austin
Development Company Ltd. for a Safe Routes To School
project in Midland, Texas, one thing was sure: Residents
were going to feel some pain.
The way Lonnie Lara’s TxDOT team and representatives
of the Austin company helped residents deal with that pain
was recognized recently when Lara was named a Texas
Project Award winner.
During the life of the 2010 project, not only did project
managers on both sides work hard to make people aware of
what was going to happen before it happened, but they also
went above and beyond to deal with issues that even a
“near perfect” set of plans couldn’t predict.
The $697.150.22 project was funded by a pair of grants:
a $592,000 grant for Emerson Elementary and nearby
Goodard Junior High and a $591,298 grant for Fannin Ele-
mentary. As you can see, the project came in way under
TxDOT projections. (It also came in 31 days early.)
The project called for installation of sidewalks, cross-
walks, driveways, driver feedback signs and ADA-compli-
ant ramps. A bicycle storage rack and school zone signs
were also part of the package.
Lara, who served as project inspector and point man for
the department, said communication with residents and the
contractor was a key factor in getting the job done with as
little inconvenience to residents and campuses as possible.
The cooperation from the teachers, staff and students on
the Emerson Elementary campus was typical of the overall
project. Lara worked with Emerson Elementary Principal
Lina Baize to ensure that campus personnel knew what
would happen as a bicycle storage rack and eight ADA-
compliant ramps were installed on or near the campus.
Work crews avoided working during high traffic times and
school personnel helped keep students away from caution-
taped work areas before and after school.
Lara said Greater Austin’s Project Superintendent Primo
Lopez and Project Manager Danny Thompson were excel-
lent partners. “They did great work,” Lara said. “They were
accommodating to us and to residents.”
While the project exceeded expectations in the end, there
were issues to deal with along the way. That’s where the
partnership with the contractor and the unique resources of
TxDOT came into play.
One of the stranger requests came from a resident who
had a youngster graduating from high school. The construc-
tion schedule called for work to be done right in front of the
house at the same day as the graduation party. In a graceful
gesture, Lara and the contractor agreed to move the con-
struction schedule around a bit in order for the work to get
done before the party. There’s no denying that is an exam-
ple of great customer service.
Another snag that couldn’t be predicted was having a
crepe myrtle tree smack dab in the way. Instead of just
plowing it up and compensating the resident, the tree was
relocated. Bobby Meroney of the Odessa office was instru-
mental in helping move the tree. And, like almost every
other aspect of this project, the work wasn’t limited to just
the basics. Meroney also showed up a couple more times to
check on the tree and give it some root stimulant. He
wanted to make sure the tree survived and thrived.
“People who know what they’re doing – they’re there,”
Lara said of the teamwork involved in the project. “That’s
the kind of resources TxDOT has.”
A recurring theme for the project was dealing with yard
irrigation systems along the routes. Residents were under-
standably concerned about sidewalks going in where irriga-
tion systems were in place. For the most part, Greater
Austin Development took care of moving the irrigation
lines without incident.
While Lara said this pleased most, some situations took
some extra help. Robert Watts, Odessa’s irrigation special-
ist, worked with one resident to allay her concerns that
moving her irrigation system would have a negative effect
on her water well.
Work areas were cleared each day so excavated materials
didn’t have the chance to pile up. By keeping two crews
working – one excavating and one building – the contractor
was able to keep disruptions at a minimum.
Wherever the workers went, Midland maintenance super-
visor Eric Lopez’s crew members had signage in place.
The shared spirit of customer service and professional-
ism helped the project land the prestigious statewide award.
Lara lands Texas Project Award
Lonnie Lara, left, said he was “honored” after ac-
cepting his award from John Barton.
Gabriel Ramirez, Robert Ornelas, Ruben Salcido and
Tony Alvarado might not think of themselves as environ-
mentalists, but their work on the Balmorhea State Park wet-
lands project recently earned them an honorable mention
for a state environmental award.
The project was launched by a call from Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department asking for TxDOT’s help in develop-
ing a wetland habitat for endangered fish at Balmorhea
State Park. The following is the bulk of the nomination:
“Since Balmorhea State Park is the only known habitat
for the Comanche Springs Pupfish, the environmental im-
pact of this project is both irrefutable and instantly recog-
nizable. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the
Comanche Springs Pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans) is found
only in spring-fed waters near Balmorhea. The pupfish was
listed as endangered in 1967. While a ciénega project com-
pleted in 1996 helped provide habitat for the pupfish at the
state park, another habitat change was needed. This nomi-
nated project created that new habitat.
“But that new habitat was only one benefit of the project.
There were also benefits for an historic structure on the
state park grounds, tourism benefits, wetlands improve-
ments and enhanced opportunities for public education and
public involvement.
“The project’s primary goal was the removal of a 35-
year-old concrete canal that was serving as a primary habi-
tat for the pupfish. The canal was quickly deteriorating –
and thus leaking and threatening San Solomon Springs
Courts, a nearby motel that was originally constructed by
the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Company 1856 worked on the state park between 1936
and 1941. The timeline is murky these days as far as what
was built when, but the late 1930s project centered on the
construction of a 1.75-acre, 3.5 million gallon freshwater
pool built around the springs. These days San Solomon
Springs Courts rents rooms for overnight stays and camp-
ing and recreational vehicle sites are also available. The
pool and spring are favorites of the public and are widely
used for swimming and scuba diving.
“Since the concrete canal that needed to come out was a
primary habitat for the fish, it was necessary to first build a
new habitat. Texas Parks and Wildlife generated an idea,
and TxDOT designed the project.
“Gabriel Ramirez and Robert Ornelas of the Odessa Dis-
trict worked together to design the project that included a
pond that had an island in it as well as the channel to let
water flow through. The spring into the nearby pool has a
constant flow of 22 million to 28 million gallons a day.
This project was replacing the old concrete channel that
had handled some of that flow.
“Ramirez said that one of the challenges of the project
was controlling the speed of the water flow. The Comanche
Springs pupfish can’t survive in water that is moving too
quickly. The design of the water channel, island and pond
all were coordinated to ensure a safe water flow for the
pupfish.
“The design also addressed the seepage problem that ne-
cessitated replacing the old concrete channel in the first
place. The decision was made to line the pond and new
channel with bentonite to seal the bottom of the waterway
and prevent leaks.
“After the design was signed, sealed and delivered,
TxDOT workers under the direction of Ruben Salcido from
the Balmorhea section of the Odessa District got busy.
They had to cut the new water channel and build the pond
while leaving an island. They also had to do some serious
topography work.
“Salcido said the work itself was a nice change of pace
for his crew, but the important thing was helping provide a
habitat for the pupfish as well as helping protect the historic
70-or-so-year-old motel.
“Tony Alvarado, an inspector out of Fort Stockton, over-
saw the project. Under his guidance, the area between the
motel and the new channel was sloped away from the motel
to ensure that rainwater would be moved away from the
historic structure. He also oversaw some pavement work
near the motel as well as removal of the antiquated concrete
canal.
“Alvarado said the project had some serious challenges
in topography. There was essentially a small hill between
the motel and the newly built pond that had to be cut away.
He also said getting the bentonite just right was a painstak-
ing task.
“While TxDOT workers did about $49,000 worth of
work on the project as a partner to Texas Parks and
Wildlife, the finishing touches by TP&W brought the proj-
ect to a beautiful conclusion. Some rock work at the en-
trance of the new canal adds a flair that is easily
appreciated.
Please see WETLANDS, Facing Page
Park job gets environmental nod
Comanche Springs Pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans)
When the Occupational Safety Division announced the
end of the year standings for the 2010 - 2011 Vehicle Safety
Bonus contest, Odessa District was at the top of the class
yet again.
The bonus program was created to help bring emphasis
and importance to reducing our liability vehicle collision
occurrences. In Fiscal Year 2002, TxDOT became self-in-
sured in managing third-party vehicle liability claims. Al-
though the department no longer pays an annual premium
to a liability insurer, we still must budget a reserve fund to
pay claims. For FY 2012, OCC has set a liability insurance
reserve of $1.99 million.
For fiscal year 2010, Corpus Christi, Odessa, Atlanta,
Yoakum, Paris, San Angelo and Brownwood districts
achieved loss ratios less than 25 percent, which is very
good.
For the 2010 - 2011 Vehicle Safety Bonus Year, the top
districts and their award amounts are:
Rural Districts:
First Place, Odessa District, $200,000
Second Place, Atlanta District, $125,000
Third Place, Yoakum District, $100,000
Fourth Place, Paris District, $75,000
Fifth Place, San Angelo District, $50,000
Sixth Place, Brownwood District, $50,000
Urban Districts
First Place, Corpus Christi District,$200,000
Metro Districts
First Place, Houston District, $200,000
Safety record earns top prize
Wetlands“The project was completed in April 2010.
“A year later, the benefits are easy to see. This narrative
has already documented the pupfish habitat, but it’s also
important to note that TP&W’s vision has multiple benefits.
Not only does the wetland provide a high-quality habitat
for the Comanche Springs Pupfish, it also serves as a home
for the endangered Pecos Gambusia and three other rare in-
vertebrates. The Pecos Gambusia (Gambusia nobilis) has
been listed as endangered in the United States since 1970.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Pecos gambusia
is found these days in Jeff Davis and Pecos counties in
West Texas. A population of the Pecos Gambusia occurs in
Leon Creek and in Diamond-Y Spring outflow north of
Fort Stockton. Populations of Pecos gambusia also occur
near Balmorhea in aquatic habitat supported by nearby
springs and at the man-made ciénega, the 1996 project that
also involved TxDOT. This nominated project dovetailed
nicely with the 1996 project to expand the habitat and de-
velop the wetland.
“This nominated project also helped the CCC-era build-
ing by eliminating the 35-year-old concrete water canal that
had been leaking water into the ground. As the ground be-
came saturated, the adobe walls of the nearby structure
began to deteriorate. This nominated project protected the
structure, which now serves as a motel, from further decay.
“According to a state park worker, the park routinely
sees crowds of 2,000 people on summer weekends. It’s a
popular spot for tourists and for daytrips by West Texas
schools. Scouting groups visit the park as well.
“On Friday, May 20, a school group was visiting, a scuba
instructor from San Angelo was on hand and tourists were
seen observing the native wildlife in the area, including the
new wetlands habitat.
“Public involvement and education has been enhanced
by the project in a very positive way, as has tourism. In ad-
dition, an historic structure has been safeguarded. And,
most importantly, an environment for two endangered
species has been increased and enhanced.”
Drive to be the best
You might recognize the guy in the middle
as the second place winner of the Odessa
District Truck Roadeo. Well, the accolades
don’t stop there. Ray Valverde also drove
his way to a second place finish at the 2011
State Roadeo. He’s shown here flanked by
his supervisor Eric Lopez, left, and District
Engineer Mike McAnally. Congratulations to
Ray for his win at the state level. Way to
represent the Odessa District!
W hen Carolyn Dill’s husband, Roy, got the nod to be the area engineer
in Bastrop, it was inevitable that the Odessa District would lose a tal-
ented District Maintenance Engineer.
But that didn’t mean we had to like it. Sure, we all want to see peers move
up, but that doesn’t mean we wanted to lose a valuable team member
Right at 100 people showed off to say goodbye to Dill in the Odessa shop.
Judging from the turnout, it was obvious she’d had a big impact on the district.
District Engineer Mike McAnally listed some of her accomplishments in a
short farewell address at the gathering. He was also full of praise at a supervi-
sors meeting where her pending departure was first publicly discussed. “She’s
done a tremendous amount of work for all of you in the maintenance sections,”
McAnally told supervisors. “Carolyn, I want to thank you in front of everyone.”
In both gatherings, McAnally was sure to let Dill know that she should be
proud of her work during her time in the Odessa District. At one point he joked
that the only thing she shouldn’t be proud of was leaving the Odessa District.
Dill’s farewell drew in people from across the Odessa District as well as a
few Regional employees who had worked with her. It was readily apparent that
Dill had earned an abundance of professional respect from TxDOT family
members. Leave it to goodbyes for true appreciation to rise to the top.
The luncheon was coordinated by Elaine Munoz, and David Alvarez led the
cooking team. Kristy Collins, Robert Watts, Teresa Chambers, Javier Molinar
and Cody Woodard also helped.
District Engineer Mike McAnally and Carolyn Dill take time to speak to nearly 100 people who gath-
ered for Dill’s farewell party in the shop.
Dill’s farewell a tad bittersweet
At her farewell party, Carolyn
had her hands full with Baby
Goebel (daughter of Fort Stock-
ton Area Engineer Ed Goebel).
Now she’s getting her hands on
maintenance issues in Austin.
After carving out a 26-year ca-
reer with TxDOT, area engineer
Dan Dalager decided it was time
to take another path.
There was no drama, though
the decision was probably a tough
one. In the end, he said it was just
time to move on. Shortly before
he left, he talked about his time
with TxDOT, who he’ll miss and
what he’ll take forward.
What will he miss most?
“Probably my employees,” he
said. “I’ve got some real good
ones.”
What did he like most about
his job? “I like to get out. I like to
see things get built,” he said. “If you’re looking at a paper,
that’s fine, but I like going out to see things get built.
“I enjoy seeing a job going. I enjoy the progress, espe-
cially on bridge projects, where you can watch it go up,” he
said.
Among the things he saw get built in his tenure in the
Odessa District was the JBS bridge over Business Inter-
state 20, a unique design that had its share of troubles get-
ting under way.
“There’s no other bridge like that in the state,” he said.
From start to finish, Dalager said the environmental
process, design, construction, public involvement and
working with a consultant were all challenging and reward-
ing in their own ways.
He said he enjoyed working with the consultant during
the design phase. “It was just neat to see the stuff she had
done,” he said.
At first, homeowners along JBS Parkway were vocally
against the bridge. Dalager was in the middle of some of
those discussions and was able to build relationships with
the public that belies his gruff exterior.
In fact, one of the most dedicated bridge opponents still
sends Christmas cards to Dalager.
In the end, Dalager said the public got a winning project
thanks to the quiet pavement, overall design and visual aes-
thetics of the project.
Dalager knows something about quality projects. He
oversaw a construction project on US 385 from the Ector
County line south to Crane that won three awards, includ-
ing top honors from both the Texas Asphalt Association and
the National Asphalt Association. The project used a hot
mix asphalt with crumb rubber in it that left the road
smooth and quiet.
Former Odessa District Public
Information Officer Glen Larum
described Dalager as a “great
friend and colleague” and was ef-
fusive is his praise for Dalager.
“There’s probably never been
anybody like him and probably
will never be again,” Larum said.
“He’s a heck of a heck of a heck
of an engineer.
“Out in West Texas, whenever
you cross a station point and the
highway suddenly becomes qui-
eter, smoother, prettier ... you’re
probably on a Dalager highway.”
Larum said Dalager was very
good at his job, especially when it came to dealing with
rubber modified hot mix asphalt. “He’s forgotten more
about asphalt than most guys will ever know,” Larum said.
That’s the kind of talent and experience that Dalager
takes with him. As of late September, he didn’t know ex-
actly what road his professional life would take, though he
admitted the transition might be tough.
“I think that the hardest thing with me will be to quit
thinking like TxDOT and start thinking like a contractor,”
Dalager said.
The road ahead for his personal life is a bit clearer. His
15-year-old son, Daniel, is building a sterling reputation in
the world of horse shows and the coming years will have
more of those shows and other family activities.
One major horse show was taking place the last week of
October in Fort Worth. Young Daniel had qualified for the
2011 World Championship Appaloosa Show.
“I’m so damn proud of him,” the elder Dalager said.
The young Dalager is also involved in livestock shows
and in breaking and training young horses. He ultimately
wants to be a veterinarian.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to be able to afford to get
him what he needs to go on,” Dalager said. “The more you
know, the more expensive it gets.”
Dalager said his wife, Leanna, has been around horses all
her life. That background, coupled with a community of
horsemen who are always willing to help, has helped young
Daniel grow. Dad Dalager said the young man is now at the
point where “it’s time to stop being a rider and start being a
horseman.”
Guess the entire Dalager family is looking forward to
some major life transitions.
Dalager rides away
Dalager breaks bread at the 2011 Safety
Banquet in Iraan.
Machuca bids farewellAfter nearly 27 years on the job, Jessie Machuca retired from the
Midland Maintenance Section in September. And with 11 years as a
crew leader under his belt, he certainly left his mark on the Odessa
District of TxDOT.
“This is one of my mentors,” Pecos maintenance supervisor Joel
Griner said pointing at Machuca at the retiree’s party. “Butter (James
Burton) is my other mentor, but that has nothing to do with the job.
Butter’s the ‘extracurriculars.’ ”
The three men were sharing laughs shortly after Machuca was pre-
sented with his retirement certificate. The comfortable conversation
was a perfect example of the camaraderie Machuca said he’ll miss
most.
And while he’s stepping away from TxDOT, he’s not headed for a
rocking chair. Instead he’ll be driving for Musslewhite Trucking. It’s a
move he’s still selling his wife on.
“I’m going to put those extra nickles in my bank account,” Machuca
said. “My wife isn’t all for it, but she’ll get over it when she can spend
the money.”
Delma and Jessie have five children and seven grandchildren, so
there’s plenty of people to spend the money on.
Joel Griner (left) and James “Butter” Burton (seated) talk with Jessie Machuca (blue cap) at his retire-
ment party in Midland.
“This is my family,” said Victor Martinez as he pointed
to his wife, daughters and two of his grandchildren.
“And this is my family,” he added, this time pointing to
TxDOT coworkers assembled for his farewell party.
That’s how Victor Martinez summed up his feelings
about leaving the Odessa Maintenance office after 27 years.
“We may have arguments, but this is family. It’s like
brothers,” he said.
Martinez will always be part of the TxDOT family, but
now he’s decided it’s time to spend more time with his wife
Margie, daughters (Monica and Vikki) and three grandchil-
dren (Viviana, Noah and Gracie).
Martinez said the grind of being on call all the time was
getting harder to deal with.
Maintenance Supervisor Doug Paup complimented Mar-
tinez on his reliability. “It’s been great to know that when I
call at 2 in the morning, Victor is going to answer the
phone.”
Now Martinez said the only person he’s going to answer
to are his wife and grandkids.
Victor Martinez (left) was surrounded by his wife, daughters and two of his three grandchildren at his
farewell shindig.
Martinez ready to play with grandkids
Doug Paup (left) presented Victor Martinez with
his retirement certificate.
Bits & PiecesIn the photo above, you can see two Odessa Maintenance
Section workers as they cleaned out the culvert that goes
under the Loop 338 service road at Business Interstate 20
recently. Further west, Ralaine Greene had her volunteers
picking up trash all along BI-20 in front of the TxDOT
main campus in Odessa.
Districtwide, we had 18 groups pick up about 780 bags
of trash. When you add that to the Oct. 1 cleanup by Keep
Odessa Beautiful and 275 bags from the Keep Midland
Beautiful Make A Difference Day on Oct. 15, you can see a
major impact for litter prevention efforts tied to Adopt A
Highway.
v v vEarlier in this newsletter we chronicled the hiring of a
new Executive Director and the appointment of a new
member to the Texas Transportation Commission.
Those aren’t the only changes that have taken place in
Austin recently. Mr. Phil Wilson has appointed Mr. John
Barton as the Interim Deputy Executive Director.
In turn, Mr. Barton appointed Mr. John Obr as the Con-
struction Division Director. Obr had been the District Engi-
neer in San Angelo.
Also, Assistant Executive Director of Field and District
Operations David Casteel, P.E., retired effective Oct. 31.
v v vDo you have questions about accounting, facilities, IT,
sign shop, budget/resources, fleet, purchasing or training is-
sues? The West Region is here to help!
Each Wednesday, representatives from these regional
functions will host a customer support WebEx to answer
questions, provide training and resolve issues.
Teleconferences are scheduled every Wednesday until
Dec. 28, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. Central Time. Instructions for
joining the teleconference can be found online at
http://crossroads/org/regions/AskRCW.aspx.
The West Region has also added a link on their Cross-
roads page for employees to submit questions, ask for help
or provide feedback on regional operations at http://
crossroads/org/regions/AskRCW.aspx.
v v vThe SECC wrapped up Oct. 31, so please get your forms
in by Nov. 4 for the final report. Final numbers aren’t in,
but it looks like we’ll pass the $12,000 mark, which is way
over our goal of $10,000. Thanks for the support!
Don’t MessWith Texas