Agency Recognizes 29 Employees Across Pennsylvania
CLEARFIELD –The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Yassmin Gramian on Wednesday recognized 29 PennDOT employees for their outstanding performance with the Star of Excellence Award, PennDOT’s highest recognition.
Two employees from PennDOT’s District 2, whichrepresents Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Pottercounties,were among the honorees.
“These employees exemplify the care and concern needed to serve the state of Pennsylvania,” Gramian said. “Each puts effective and efficient transportation services at the top of their list daily, while demonstrating a strong commitment to the agency and roughly 12 million state residents.”
Gramian and other department executives honored winners Chris Maney of Bellefonte and Jodi Schultz of Clearfield during an online ceremony.
“We were sorry to see Chris retire this past June but his contributions over 35 years in the Maintenance Division are greatly appreciated. Jodi’s compassion, diplomacy, and kindness have been a hallmark of her career at PennDOT. The day-to-day workings of the District Executive’s office could not be in better hands.”
Changes included consolidation of the RPC and clerical supervisor positions and having the Centre County accounting assistant support Clinton County’s purchasing operations.
Additionally, mechanic supervisors support both counties by utilizing excess garage capacity in one county to support the existing workload in the other.
Maney also recommended a change in management structure so one of the five assistant highway maintenance manager positions were reclassed to a highway maintenance coordinator, which allowed each county to maintain two assistants to manage winter services while the HMC was available to develop the sectional cycle maintenance plans.
As a result of his forward-thinking, the consolidations are estimated to save $307,750 and an estimated salary and benefits saving of $155,280 annually.
While serving as the clerk/typist 3 for the Posted and Bonded Roads Unit, Schultz assumed the additional duties of the administrative assistant to the district executive.
She manages scheduling, correspondence and day-to-day activities for the DE, as well as serving as the District’s Right-to-Know coordinator, health and wellness coordinator and customer care coordinator.
Schultz excels in preparing professional correspondence, diligent in making sure the District’s RTK requests are assigned to the proper staff and that the responses are provided in a timely manner.
She organizes the district’s blood drives and sets up Lunch ‘N Learn Wellness sessions while maintaining a very active Posted and Bonded Roads billing portfolio.
She provides exemplary customer service, remains calm in challenging situations, and regularly displays patience through trying circumstances. Schultz has been serving in this dual role for more than three years, providing the district with a total savings of over $200,000.
The Star of Excellence Awards are presented annually to employees who represent the department’s values of service, performance and integrity. The recipients represent a variety of organizational positions, spanning from highway maintenance and driver and vehicle services workers, to traffic control specialists, communications staff, and design and engineering specialists.
For more information on PennDOT activities in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Pottercounties, visit www.penndot.gov/District2.