ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
INSIDE: PHOTO CONTEST • PROMOTIONS • MARSHALLESE CULTURAL TRAINING • SERVICE AWARDS • MORE
NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2023
From 2018 to 2021
WORK ZONE CRASHES
INCREASED BY 70%
in Arkansas.
SLOW DOWN, PHONE DOWN
IN WORK ZONES.
2 WWW.ARDOT.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/CENTERLINE/
FRONT COVER: Interstate 40 over Lake Dardanelle.
BACK COVER: Interstate 30 Widening near Haskell exit.
EDITOR
David Nilles
David.Nilles@ardot.gov
WRITER
Mark Woodall
Mark.Woodall@ardot.gov
PHOTOGRAPHER
Rusty Hubbard
Russell.Hubbard@ardot.gov
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Marrissa Miller
Marrissa.Miller@ardot.gov
Lamarie Rutelonis
Lamarie.Rutelonis@ardot.gov
Aimee Goode
Aimee.Goode@ardot.gov
CORRESPONDENCE
CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER
Public Information Oce
P.O. Box 2261
Little Rock, AR 72203-2261
or David.Nilles@ardot.gov
THE CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER is published
bi-monthly by and for employees of the
Arkansas Department of Transportation as
a medium of Departmental news and other
information.
STAFF
SUBMISSIONS Photo submissions are included as time and space allow. Please submit
images to the appropriate District or Division Reporter:
District 1:
Billie Harrell
District 2:
Sandy Pendergrass
District 3:
Sherry Steward
District 4:
Stephanie Duncan
District 5:
Ashton Nutt
District 6:
Patricia Fletcher-Kester
District 7:
Lindsey Dow
District 8:
April Litchfield
District 9:
Renae Whiteside
District 10:
Lesa Osborn
AHP: Chrissy Williams
Bridge: Christine Lenard
Construction: Yulissa Mendoza
EEO/DBE: Deborah Lawrence
Environmental: Felicia Couser
Equip. & Proc.: Deanna Calhoun
Fiscal Services: Robbie Howlett
Human Resources: Maddison Wendland
Information Technology: Mike Weidman
Internal Audit: Tammy Powell
Legal: Kim Jewell
Maintenance: Mandy Price
Materials: Olivia Davies
Program Management: Bonnie Taylor
Retirement: Robbie Howlett
Right of Way: Lynzi Frizzell
Roadway Design: Amanda Falls
State Aid: Cindy Allen
Surveys: Page McPherson
SIR: Jessica Durham
TPP: Katherine Rasmussen
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3-7
EMPLOYEE PROMOTIONS
8
MARSHALLESE CULTURAL TRAINING
9
REQUEST FOR PHOTOS
10-17
SERVICE AWARDS/AROUND AR DOT
18-19
ARDOT PEOPLE
JUNE 8 | THURSDAY
Equipment Operators Roadeo
E&P Annex • Little Rock
JUNE 21 | WEDNESDAY
Highway Commission Meeting
Central Oce • Little Rock
JUNE 28 | WEDNESDAY
ArDOT Bid Letting
Central Oce • Little Rock
JULY 4 | TUESDAY
Independence Day Observed
Oces Closed
AUGUST 2 | WEDNESDAY
Highway Commission Meeting
Central Oce • Little Rock
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
3CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
Kevin Thornton was recently named Chief of Administration for
ARDOT.
Kevin’s ARDOT career began in 1986 in the Roadway Design Division.
In 1987, he transferred to eld construction where he followed the
engineering career path until he advanced to Staff Construction
Engineer in 2006 and moved to Systems Administrator in 2007. He was
promoted to Assistant Division Head of the Program Management
Division in 2011 and, later that same year, advanced to Division Head.
Kevin was promoted to Assistant Chief Engineer – Planning in 2014 and
obtained his former position of Assistant Chief – Administration in 2020.
Thornton has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of Arkansas and is a Registered Professional Engineer. u
BY DAVID NILLES
THORNTON NAMED CHIEF
OF ADMINISTRATION
Crystal Woods has been named Assistant Chief of Administration
f
or ARDOT.
Crystal’s career at ARDOT began in 1990 in the Personnel Section of
the Human Resources Division. In 1993, she began working as a General
Clerk in the Training and Safety Section.
She transferred to Public Affairs in 1995 as the Administrative Assistant
to the Chief of Administration and Public Affairs.
In 1996, she returned to the Training and Safety Section as a Training
Specialist and was promoted to Section Head of Training and Safety in
2000. Later that year she assumed the role of Human Resources Officer.
She was promoted to the position of Division Head of Human Resources
in 2004.
Woods has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an
emphasis in Human Resources from the University of Arkansas at
Little Rock. u
BY DAVID NILLES
WOODS NAMED ASSISTANT
CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATION
4 WWW.ARDOT.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/CENTERLINE/
Effective immediately, Jared Wiley has been named the Chief
Engineer of Preconstruction.
Jared began his career with the Department as an Engineering
Student Intern prior to being hired in December 2005 as a Civil
Engineer in the Planning and Research Division. He followed the
engineering career path in the Planning Branch until advancing to
Consultant Coordinator in the Deputy Director and Chief Engineer’s
ofce in 2013. He was promoted to Assistant Division Head of the
Transportation Planning and Policy Division in 2014, to Division Head of
Program Management in 2015, and to his former position of Assistant
Chief Engineer – Planning in 2020.
Wiley has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering with an emphasis in
Civil Engineering from Arkansas State University. He is a Registered
Professional Engineer. u
BY DAVID NILLES
WILEY NAMED
CHIEF ENGINEER –
PRECONSTRUCTION
Chad Adams has been named Assistant Chief Engineer of
Construction.
Adams ARDOT career began in 1996 in the Fayetteville Resident
Engineer Ofce as a Civil Engineer I. He followed the engineering
career path in eld construction until he was promoted to District 4
Maintenance Engineer in 2004. Chad became District Four Construction
Engineer in 2007 and was promoted to his former position as District
Four Engineer in 2013.
Chad has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University
of Arkansas and is a Registered Professional Engineer. u
BY DAVID NILLES
ADAMS NAMED ASSISTANT
CHIEF ENGINEER
OF CONSTRUCTION
5CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
Jessie Jones has been named Assistant Chief Engineer for Planning
effective immediately.
Jessie began work for the Department in January 2002 as a Civil
Engineer in the Bridge Division. She followed the engineering career
path in the Bridge Division and the Planning and Research Division
until obtaining the position of Consultant Coordinator in 2008. Jessie
became Assistant Division Head of Transportation Planning and Policy
in February 2011, Division Head of Transportation Planning and Policy
in October 2013 and obtained her former position of Division Head of
Program Management in 2020.
Jessie has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Arkansas
State University in Jonesboro, and a master’s degree in Civil
Engineering from the University of Arkansas. She is a Registered
Professional Engineer. u
BY DAVID NILLES
JONES NAMED
ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER
– PLANNING
Rex Vines has been named Chief Engineer of Operations effective
immediately.
Rex’s career with the Department began in 1993 when he was
named a Civil Engineering Technician in the Wynne Resident Engineer
Ofce. He followed the engineering career path in eld construction
until advancing to District Construction Engineer in 2004, to District
Maintenance Engineer in 2008, and to District 1 Engineer in 2014. Vines
was promoted to Assistant Chief Engineer – Operations in 2019 and to
his former position of Deputy Director and Chief Engineer in 2021.
Vines has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering with emphasis in
Civil Engineering from Arkansas State University. He is a Registered
Professional Engineer. u
VINES NAMED CHIEF
ENGINEER – OPERATIONS
BY DAVID NILLES
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Steve Frisbee has been named
Assistant Chief Engineer for
Ma
i
ntenance.
Frisbee worked four summers as an Engineering Student Intern
prior to being hired in January 1997 as a Civil Engineer I in the
Texarkana Resident Engineer Office. He followed the engineering
career path in field construction and was promoted to District One
Construction Engineer in 2008. Steve became the District Three
Engineer in 2013 and transferred to Little Rock as the Division Head of
Transportation Planning and Policy in 2020. He obtained his former
position of Assistant Chief Engineer – Operations in 2021.
Frisbee has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of Arkansas and is a Registered Professional Engineer. u
BY DAVID NILLES
FRISBEE NAMED ASSISTANT
CHIEF ENGINEER –
MAINTENANCE
Keli Wylie has been named Assistant Chief Engineer of Program
Delivery.
Wylie began her career with the Department as a Civil Engineer
in the Roadway Design Division in March 2002, and continued on
the engineering career path advancing to Assistant Division Head
of Roadway Design in 2012. In December 2012, Wylie became the
Connecting Arkansas Program Administrator and was promoted to her
former position of Alternative Project Delivery Administrator in 2019.
Keli has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Louisiana Tech
University and is a Registered Professional Engineer. u
BY DAVID NILLES
WYLIE NAMED ASSISTANT
CHIEF ENGINEER –
PROGRAM DELIVERY
It is imperative that the Adopt-A-Highway program continues to
grow to meet the rising need for litter clean up across the state.
Learn more by scanning the QR code below!
SPREAD THE WORD TO
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY!
Pickup reports can be
submitted online.
To learn about events around the state
for your Adopt-A-Highway group,
call 1-888 -742-8701 o
r visit
www.KeepArkansasBeautiful.com.
7CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
Jason Hughey has been named District Engineer for District Four.
Hughey began his career with the Department as an Intern before
being hired as a Civil Engineer in the Planning and Research Division
in May 2002. In November 2002, he transferred to Resident Engineer
Ofce #23 in Pine Bluff. Following the engineering career path, he
continued to advance until obtaining his former position as District
Engineer in District Eight in 2019.
Hughey has a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of Arkansas. He is a Registered Professional Engineer. u
HUGHEY NAMED
DISTRICT 4 ENGINEER
BY DAVID NILLES
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ARDOT Central Ofce hosted a training on April 12 to give
employees an opportunity to learn more about the Marshall Islands
and the migration of Marshallese people to northwest Arkansas. The
program was presented by Melisa Laelan, CEO of Arkansas Coalition
of Marshallese (ACOM). There are currently 20,000 Marshallese living
in Arkansas, most of them near Springdale. Many are employed by
Tyson Foods and have come to the state to take advantage of better
educational opportunities for their children, employment stability,
healthcare services and better housing. The Marshall Islands are a
sprawling chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls in the central Pacic
Ocean, between Hawaii and the Philippines. The ACOM ofce is located
in Springdale and can be reached at arkansasmarshallese.org. u
BY DAVID NILLES
MARSHALLESE CULTURAL TRAINING
Scan to learn more!
Melisa Laelan (center) with members of the ARDOT Environmental
Division and handcrafted items from the Marshall Islands.
9CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
Because ARDOT has so many employees that enjoy
photography, Arkansas Highways is excited to present our
third photography contest so you can share your work with
staff! In 2014 and 2016, we asked employees to send in
a photo of their favorite place in Arkansas’ outdoors. We
had such good results, we are doing it again!
Our State is overowing with beautiful outdoor scenery
including mountains, lakes, rivers, wooded areas and much
more. Everyone has a favorite place where they enjoy
spending time outdoors and we want to see a photo of
yours. Once again, we will be sharing a selection of those
outdoor photos in the fall issue of Arkansas Highways
magazine.
Grab your camera and get some shots the next time you
hit the great outdoors. We are looking for great views of
Arkansas including lakes, mountains, creeks… any outdoor
place that captures your eye. No photos of people, please.
REQUEST FOR PHOTOS:
BY DAVID NILLES
CAPTURING ARKANSAS’ GREAT
OUTDOORS ON CAMERA
Photos should be submitted as high-resolution, digital
images saved as JPEG or TIFF format. Low-resolution
images, or ones taken with a mobile phone, are strongly
discouraged as they will not print clearly. Hard copies
of photos may also be submitted. Hard copies will be
returned after the fall issue of the magazine has been
printed. Limit two photos per person. With your photo,
include the following information:
1. A
rDOT Employee Name,
2. Employee District/Division,
3. What area of Arkansas the photo was taken.
Mail hard copy submissions to:
ArDOT Public Information, Attn: Marrissa Miller
P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203
Submit your photos here:
https://form.jotform.com/231246597712056
SERVICE AWARDS
1. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT: (L. to R.) Brian Bynum, Crew Leader,
presents Dustin Green, Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical Repairer,
with his 5-year Service Award.
2. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Charles Brown (L), Division Head/
CIO, and Bryan Cozart (R), User Services Manager, present Mary
Rodgers, Service Desk Specialist, with her 10-year Service Award.
3. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Charles Brown (L), Division Head/
CIO, and Bryan Cozart (R), User Services Manager, present Charlie
Frame, Service Desk Specialist, with her 10-year Service Award.
4. MAINTENANCE: (L. to R.) Thomas Stanley, Jr., Striping Helper,
receives his 5-year Service Award from John Brown, Striping
Superintendent.
5. MAINTENANCE: (L. to R.) Wayne England, Milling Crew Leader,
presents Cody Reed, Pavement Profiler Operator, with his 10 year
Service Award.
6. MATERIALS: (L. to R.) Laurn Brawley, Senior Materials Technician,
receives her 5-year Service Award from Paul Tinsley, Division Head.
7. MATERIALS: (L. to R.) Henry Williams, Senior Materials Technician,
receives his 20-year Service Award from Paul Tinsley, Division Head.
8. SYSTEM INFORMATION & RESEARCH: Mark Headley (L), Division
Head and Michael Henry (R), Sta Trac Information Systems
Engineer, presented service awards. (L. to R. Middle) Elmarie
Barnes, System Information Tech, received her 30-year Service
Award. Tiany Burke, Lead Data Collection Tech, received her
15-year service award. David Li, System Information Analyst,
received his 20-year Service Award.
9. SYSTEM INFORMATION & RESEARCH: (L. to R.) William Hale, Data
Collection Technician, receives his 15-year Service Award from
Michael Henry, Sta Engineer.
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SERVICE AWARDS
10. DISTRICT 1: Jim Moore (L), Shop Supervisor, and Cannon Callicott
(R), District Engineer, present Adam Moore, Mechanic, with his 5-year
Service Award.
11. DISTRICT 1: Curtis Burnett (L), Area Maintenance Supervisor, and
Cannon Callicott (R), District Engineer, present Alex Castleberry,
Area HQ Attendant, with his 5-year Service Award.
12. DISTRICT 1: Joey Barnett (L), Crew Leader, and Cannon Callicott
(R), District Engineer, present David Doyle, Maintenance Aide II, with
his 5-year Service Award.
13. DISTRICT 1: Joey Henson (L), Area Maintenance Supervisor, and
Cannon Callicott (R), District Engineer, present David McMasters,
Maintenance Aide II, with his 5-year Service Award.
14. DISTRICT 1: Brook Hively (L), Storeroom Supervisor, and Cannon
Callicott (R), District Engineer, present Je Grafton, Lead Storeroom
Assistant, with his 5-year Service Award.
15. DISTRICT 1: Therese Yarnold (L), Oce Manager, and Cannon
Callicott (R), District Engineer, present Jennifer Hale, District
Bookkeeper, with her 5-year Service Award.
16. DISTRICT 1: (L. to R.) Tommy Halbert, District Maintenance
Superintendent, presents John Andrews, Electrical Plumber &
Mechanical Representative, with his 5-year Service Award.
17. DISTRICT 1: Matt Emberton (L), District Maintenance Engineer, and
Cannon Callicott (R), District Engineer, present John Loude, Area
Maintenance Supervisor, with his 5-year Service Award.
18. DISTRICT 1: Curtis Burnett (L), Area Maintenance Supervisor,
and Cannon Callicott (R), District Engineer, present Luther Wade,
Maintenance Aide II, with his 5-year Service Award.
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11CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
SERVICE AWARDS
19. DISTRICT 1: Robert Johnson (L), Area Maintenance, and
Cannon Callicott (R), District Engineer, present Maynard Smith,
Maintenance Aide II, with his 5-year Service Award.
20. DISTRICT 1: Jonathan Sanders (L), Crew Leader, and Cannon
Callicott (R), District Engineer, present Waverly Barnes,
Maintenance Aide II, with his 10-year Service Award.
21. DISTRICT 1: Anthony Burnett (L), Maintenance Job
Superintendent, and Cannon Callicott (R), District Engineer,
presents Fayrene Lamastus, Maintenance Aide II, with her 15-year
Service Award.
22. DISTRICT 1: Je Adams (L), District Construction Engineer, and
Cannon Callicott (R), District Engineer, present Myron Futrell,
District Bridge Inspector, with his 15-year Service Award.
23. DISTRICT 1: Anthony Burnett (L), Maintenance Job
Superintendent, and Cannon Callicott (R), District Engineer, present
Lilburn Morelock, Maintenance Specialist, with his 20-year Service
Awards.
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24. DISTRICT 2: (L. to R.) Rebecca White, Storeroom Supervisor,
receives her 5-year Service Award from Sandy Pendergrass, Oce
Manager.
25. DISTRICT 2: (L. to R.) Janet Bogle, Area Maintenance Supervisor,
presents Eugene Bryant, Maintenance Aide II, with his 15-year
Service Award.
26. DISTRICT 4: Bruce Boggs, Electrical, Plumbing & Mechanical
Repairer, received his 5-year Service Award.
27. DISTRICT 4: (L. to R.) Christopher Carr, Crew Leader, receives
his 5-year Service Award from Jeremy Bowles, Area Maintenance
Supervisor.
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SERVICE AWARDS
28. DISTRICT 4: Mike Stevens, Parts Runner, received his 10-year
Service Award.
29. DISTRICT 5: (L. to R.) Jacob Murphy Jr., Maintenance Aide II, and
William White, Maintenance Specialist, received their 5-year Service
Awards.
30. DISTRICT 5: (L. to R.) Taggert Morgan, Crew Leader; Sammy
Edwards, Shop Supervisor; Michael Copeland, Crew Leader; Mary
Turner, Maintenance Aide II, received their 10-year Service Awards.
31. DISTRICT 5: (L. to R.) Johnny Jason, Area Headquarters Attendant,
and Joshua Smith, Maintenance Specialist, received their 15-year
Service Award.
32. DISTRICT 5: Ricky Milligan, Maintenance Specialist, Maintenance
Crew received his 25-year Service Award.
33. DISTRICT 5: Thomas Allen Smith, Maintenance Aide II, received his
35-year Service Award.
34. DISTRICT 5: (L. to R.) Karrie Ausbrooks, Construction Inspector,
received her 20-year Service Award. Samantha Knight, Resident
Oce Technician, received her 15-year Service Award. Lucas Turner,
Senior Engineer, received his 10-year Service Award.
35. DISTRICT 6: (L. to R.) Steven Lewis, Assistant Resident Engineer,
receives his 10-year Service Award from David Norris, Resident
Engineer.
36. DISTRICT 6: Hunter Lake (L), District Maintenance Engineer, and
Keith Gragson (R), Area Maintenance Supervisor, present Billy Richey,
Crew Leader, with his 15-year Service Award.
13CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
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SERVICE AWARDS
37. DISTRICT 8: (L. to R.) Keith Freeman, Lead Station Attendant,
and Cynthia Duvall, Station Attendant, receive their 5-year Service
Awards from Kenny Caldwell, Shop Supervisor.
38. DISTRICT 8: (L. to R.) Chadd Shipp, Maintenance Aide II, receives
his 5-year Service Award from Kenny Howard, Area Maintenance
Supervisor.
39. DISTRICT 8: (L. to R.) Jason Hughey, District Engineer, presents
Renee Wilson, District Clerk, with her 5-year Service Award.
40. DISTRICT 8: (L. to R.) Johnny Rice, Area Maintenance Supervisor,
receives his 35-year Service Award from David Ross, District
Maintenance Engineer.
41. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Brian Skaggs, Maintenance Aide II, receives
his 5-year Service Award from Kenny Riley, Area Maintenance
Supervisor.
42. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Cameron Cannon, Maintenance Aide II,
receives his 5-year Service Award from Gary Hopkins, Area
Maintenance Supervisor.
43. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Dennis Connors, Equipment Maintenance
Supervisor, presents Kenneth Barnett, Mechanic, with his 5-year
Service Award.
44. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Jimmy Morris, Area Maintenance Supervisor,
presents Lucas Tuttle, Maintenance Aide II, with his 5-year Service
Award.
45. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Jim Branstetter, Area Maintenance
Supervisor, presents Robert Kahle, Maintenance Specialist, with his
5-year Service Award.
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SERVICE AWARDS
46. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Brad Edgmon, Maintenance Specialist,
receives his 10-year Service Award from Kenny Riley, Area
Maintenance Supervisor.
47. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Brit Burnes, Resident Engineer, presents
Valerie Melton, Construction Inspector, with her 10-year Service
Award.
48. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Scott Willis, Area Maintenance Supervisor,
receives his 20-year Service Award from Je Wheeler, District
Maintenance Engineer.
49. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Steven Graham, Lead Bridge Repairer,
receives his 20-year Service Award, from Darren Ramsey, District
Bridge Superintendent.
50. DISTRICT 9: (L. to R.) Kevin Walden, Maintenance Aide II, receives
his 25-year Service Award from Kenny Riley, Area Maintenance
Supervisor.
51. DISTRICT 10: (L. to R.) Timothy Bohannon, Maintenance Specialist,
receives his 10-year Service Award from Corey Weatherford, Area
Maintenance Supervisor.
52. DISTRICT 10: (L. to R.) Sylvia Stormes, Lead Bridge Repairer,
receives her 15 year Service Award from Je Rawls, Bridge Job
Superintendent.
15CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
NOTEWORTHY
NOTEWORTHY
ON THE JOB
1. DISTRICT 1: (L. to R.) Roadeo
Backhoe winners:
1st - Lucas Crosby
2nd - Michael Harris (not shown)
3rd - Bryan West
2. DISTRICT 1: (L. to R.) Roadeo Lowboy
Truck winners:
3rd - Robert Gray
2nd - Jimmy Cullen
1st - Joey Barnett
3. DISTRICT 1: (L. to R.) Roadeo Motor Patrol
winners:
3rd - Devyn Arens
2nd - Robert Gray
1st - Kyle Gaskin
4. DISTRICT 1: (L. to R.) Roadeo Single Axle
Dump Truck winners:
3rd - Mandy Jones
2nd - Jonathan Sanders
1st - Kyle Jones
5. DISTRICT 1: (L. to R.) Roadeo Tandem
Axle Dump Truck winners:
3rd - Brad Brow
2nd - Nicholas Willis
1st - TJ Pulley
6. DISTRICT 1: (L. to R.) Roadeo Tractor /
Mower winners:
3rd - Justin Armstrong
2nd - Joey Hutto
1st - Rodney Armstrong
7. DISTRICT 1: Roadeo 2nd Place - Crew
winners:
Special Maintenance
(Back Row) Joey Barnett, Devyn Arens,
Dale Williams
(Front Row) Mandy Jones, Jason Willis,
Jeery Warren
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FAMILY FOCUS
1. DISTRICT 10: Mason (grandson of Kelly
Mann, Field Clerk) graduated from
Kindergarten at Westside Elementary in
May.
ON THE JOB
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8. DISTRICT 2: Admin, Area Maintenance
Supervisors, Crew Leaders and Station
Attendants participated in "Go Orange
Day" for National Work Zone Awareness
Week.
9. DISTRICT 4: Employees gathered to wish
Gary DeWitt, Tunnel & District Facilities
Crew Leader, a happy retirement.
10. DISTRICT 10: (L. to R.) Employees in
Randolph County participated in "Go
Orange Day" for National Work Zone
Awareness Week.
11. DISTRICT 10: (L. to R.) Michael Tarry,
Construction Project Coordinator,
celebrated his retirement on March 30
th
with 34+ years of service. Michael is
pictured with his son Josh Tarry (Top Left),
Maintenance Specialist, his wife Lisa (Top
Middle), daughter Micah (Top Right) and
grandsons.
12. DISTRICT 10: Tim Myrick, District Bridge
Inspector, celebrated his retirement.
Tim retired with 37+ years of service.
Tim is pictured with his son Todd Myrick
(L), Maintenance Specialist, and his wife
Kim (R).
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17CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
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ArDOT PEOPLE
3,672 EMPLOYEES
NEW EMPLOYEES:
ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE
Bahesya Harris, Guard
CONSTRUCTION • Matthew
McCabe, Construction Aide;
William Walton, Construction Aide;
Ke Shun Wells, Construction Aide
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT •
Maria Avalos Favela, Janitor
HEAVY BRIDGE • Billy Kumpe,
Bridge Repairer; Dillion Gage,
Bridge Repairer; Derrick Gage,
Bridge Repairer; Brandon Simmons,
Bridge Repairer; Nathaniel Lamb,
Bridge Repairer
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Christopher Pipkin, Geospatial
Specialist
RIGHT OF WAY • Robert Olsen,
Realty Appraiser; Sharon Nowlin,
Abstractor; Arina Koogler, Realty
Appraiser; Ricky Wilmoth, ROW
Plans Designer
SURVEYS • Patrick McNamara,
Surveys Aide
DISTRICT 1 • Aaron Traylor,
Maintenance Aide I; Shortie
Bradley, District Clerk
DISTRICT 2 • Dantrell White,
Maintenance Aide I; LaQuan
Powell, Maintenance Aide I;
LeQuentin Allen, Maintenance
Aide I; John Reed, Maintenance
Aide I; Aundra Randolph,
Maintenance Aide I; Justin Munn,
Maintenance Aide I; Jordan
Woolley, Maintenance Aide I; Cody
Jackson, Maintenance Aide I;
Anthony Boose, Maintenance
Aide I; Michael Grimes,
Maintenance Aide I; Tamon
McGee, Maintenance Aide I;
Brandon Fowler, Maintenance
Aide I; Deshaun Turner,
Maintenance Aide I
DISTRICT 3 • Ronnie Dancer,
Maintenance Aide I
DISTRICT 4 • Landon Shelby,
Maintenance Aide I; Brian
Darlington, Rest Area Attendant;
Bryson Nelms, Maintenance Aide I;
Carlos Ward, Maintenance Aide I;
Nolan Harrington, Maintenance
Aide I
DISTRICT 6 • Walter Withers,
Maintenance Aide I; Victor
Norman, Maintenance Aide I;
Gordon Blackwell, Maintenance
Aide II; Zachary Carter,
Maintenance Aide I; Ryian
Patterson, Maintenance Aide I;
Waylon Withers, Maintenance
Aide I; Timothy Harris,
Maintenance Aide I; Wendell
Withers, Maintenance Aide I;
Traevione Perry, Maintenance
Aide I
DISTRICT 7 • Larry Turner,
Maintenance Aide I; Chase Sharp,
Maintenance Aide I; Timothy
Roberts, Maintenance Aide I;
Terwaune Wright, Maintenance
Aide I; Samuel Allen, Maintenance
Aide I
DISTRICT 8 • Alliyah Kirkwood,
Area HQ Attendant
DISTRICT 10 • David Smith,
Maintenance Aide I; Molly Ivy,
Maintenance Aide I; Jimmy
Counce, Maintenance Aide I;
Austin Mashburn, Maintenance
Aide I; Bryson Doyle, Maintenance
Aide I
PROMOTIONS:
ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE
Louis Hatchett, Captain; Michael
Smrt, Sergeant; Joseph Beggs,
Sergeant; Brandon Bybee,
Sergeant
COMMUNICATIONS • Hussain
Alfaraj, Staff Maintenance
Engineer
CONSTRUCTION • John Bledsoe,
Jr., Staff Construction Engineer
HUMAN RESOURCES • James
Allen, Microlm Archivist
MATERIALS • Robert Lundy,
Geotechnical Aide
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Rebekah Baker, Program
Management Technician
RIGHT OF WAY • Melody Maxey,
Lead Relocation Coordinator;
Rebekkah Hogan-Welsh,
Relocation Coordinator; Kayla
Muhammad, Ofce Assistant
ROADWAY DESIGN • Hannah
Lybrand, Staff Design Engineer
DISTRICT 1 • John Harris Jr.,
Assistant Resident Engineer
DISTRICT 3 • Austin Mote,
Construction Inspector
DISTRICT 4 • Michael Rigney,
Crew Leader
DISTRICT 5 • Brandon Love,
District Construction Engineer;
Blake Harper, Construction
Inspector; Justin Gillihan,
Maintenance Specialist; Ryan
Watson, Resident Engineer
DISTRICT 6 • Justin Jones, Area
Maintenance Supervisor
DISTRICT 7 • Ricky Cummings,
Area Maintenance Supervisor;
Gary Barner, Maintenance
Specialist; Angie Riddell, Rest
Area Attendant; Thomas Kanipe,
Bridge Repairer; Lee Holman,
Maintenance Specialist; Donald
Green, Area Maintenance
Supervisor
DISTRICT 9 • Timothy Hoyt, Crew
Leader; John Mckenzie, Body
Repairer & Painter
DISTRICT 10 • Jennifer Marrs,
Maintenance Specialist; Adam
Perry, Surveys Aide; Andrew
White, Mechanic
The reports listed are from the months of March & April ('23).
19CENTERLINE NEWSLETTER • JUNE 2023
SERVICE AWARDS:
ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE
Chief Jeffrey Holmes, 30 yrs
BRIDGE • Tambra Herman, Staff
Engineer, 15 yrs
COMMUNICATION • Charles Bolin,
ITS Specialist, 5 yrs
CONSTRUCTION • Timothy Eaker,
Construction Project Coordinator,
35 yrs; Samantha Knight, Resident
Ofce Technician, 15 yrs; Anita
Parker, Construction Materials
Inspector, 10 yrs; Mark Ford,
Advanced Construction Aide, 5 yrs;
Jack Stradtman, Construction
Aide, 5 yrs
ENVIRONMENTAL • John Fleming,
Division Head, 35 yrs; Jason
Eads, Lead Cultural Resources
Specialist, 10 yrs; Leslie Linck,
Advanced Cultural Resources
Specialist, 5 yrs
EQUIPMENT & PROCUREMENT
Desmond Williams, Lead
Storeroom Assistant, 10 yrs
HUMAN RESOURCES • Robert
Simpson, Records Specialist, 5 yrs
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Manjusha Vadakke Veetil, IT
Administrator, 5 yrs
MATERIALS • Lakisha Rice,
Section Head, 15 yrs; Coty
Campbell, Geotechnical Aide,
10 yrs
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Megan Cook, Federal Programs
Coordinator, 5 yrs
RIGHT OF WAY • Betty Hunt,
Closing Agent, 15 yrs
ROADWAY DESIGN • Gary English,
Advanced Designer, 40 yrs
SYSTEM INFORMATION &
RESEARCH • Kimberly Romano,
Advanced Engineer, 20 yrs
DISTRICT 1 • Derl Futrell, District
Bridge Inspector, 15 yrs; Mark
Vance, Crew Leader, 5 yrs; Luther
Wade, Maintenance Aide II,
5 yrs; David Doyle, Maintenance
Aide II, 5 yrs; John Andrews,
Electrical Plumb & Mech Rep,
5 yrs; Alexander Castleberry, Area
Headquarters Attendant, 5 yrs
DISTRICT 2 • John Harvey,
Maintenance Specialist, 20 yrs
DISTRICT 3 • Shane Rothenberger,
Crew Leader, 10 yrs
DISTRICT 4 • Cheia Yang, Lead
Bridge Repairer, 5 yrs
DISTRICT 5 • Thomas Smith,
Maintenance Aide II, 35 yrs; Ricky
Milligan, Maintenance Specialist,
25 yrs; Johnny Jason, Area
Headquarters Attendant, 15 yrs;
Sammy Edwards, Shop Supervisor,
10 yrs; Joe Rolins, Maintenance
Specialist, 5 yrs; Jacob Murphy
Jr., Maintenance Specialist, 5 yrs;
William White, Maintenance
Specialist, 5 yrs
DISTRICT 6 • James Burnette, Rest
Area Attendant, 5 yrs;
DISTRICT 7 • Steve Fry, Welder,
5 yrs
DISTRICT 8 • Lloyd Davis,
Maintenance Specialist, 10 yrs;
Cynthia Duvall, Station Attendant;
5 yrs; Keith Freeman, Lead Station
Attendant, 5 yrs; Chad Shipp,
Maintenance Aide II, 5 yrs
DISTRICT 9 • Brian Willis, Area
Maintenance Supervisor, 20 yrs;
Cody Nelson, Crew Leader, 10 yrs;
Lucas Tuttle, Maintenance Aide II,
5 yrs; Robert Kahle, Maintenance
Specialist, 5 yrs
DISTRICT 10 • Betty Brown,
Maintenance Aide II, 5 yrs
RETIREMENTS:
CONSTRUCTION • Michael Tarry,
Construction Project Coordinator,
34+ yrs
MAINTENANCE • Randy Prince,
Sign Fabricator, 5+ yrs; Steven
Schilling, Tractor Trailer Driver,
6+ yrs
RIGHT OF WAY • Linda Cope, Lead
Abstractor, 16+ yrs; Betty Hunt,
Closing Agent, 15 yrs; Randall
Reynolds, Lead Beautication
Coordinator, 34 yrs; Jeremy Tyler,
ROW Plans Designer, 15+ yrs
DISTRICT 1 • Pamela Morelock,
Maintenance Aide II, 15+ yrs
DISTRICT 2 • William Garrison,
Tractor Trailer Driver, 18+ yrs
DISTRICT 3 • Reginald Easter,
Tractor Trailer Driver, 27 yrs
DISTRICT 4 • Charles Brummett,
Maintenance Specialist, 16+ yrs
DISTRICT 5 • Lisa Carlson,
Maintenance Specialist, 21
yrs; Stanley Glover, District
Construction Engineer, 39+ yrs
DISTRICT 6 • Steve Chastain, Body
Repairer & Painter, 11 yrs
MEMORIALS:
DISTRICT 1 • Mary Harrell, 3/25/23,
retired
DISTRICT 2 • Gregory Patrick,
3/27/23, retired
DISTRICT 5 • Lee Garrett, 3/31/23,
retired
DISTRICT 6 • James Weston,
4/5/23, retired
DISTRICT 8 • Gary Hawkins,
3/24/23, retired
DISTRICT 10 • Leon Jacobs,
4/2/2023, active
ArDOT PEOPLE
3,672 EMPLOYEES
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (Department) complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in
programs and activities receiving federal nancial assistance. Therefore, the Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion (not
applicable as a protected group under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Title VI Program), disability, Limited English Prociency (LEP), or low-income status in the
admission, access to and treatment in the Department’s programs and activities, as well as the Department’s hiring or employment practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination
and inquiries regarding the Department’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Joanna P. McFadden Section Head – EEO/DBE (ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator), P. 0. Box
2261, Little Rock, AR 72203, (501)569-2298, (Voice/TTY 711), or the following email address: Joanna.McFadden@ardot.gov. Free language assistance for Limited English Procient
individuals is available upon request. This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape and in Braille.
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION | JUNE 2023