By Deb
Gruver, Public Affairs Manager, south central Kansas
When Robin
Gregory, the Acting Construction Engineer in Winfield, needed some advice
recently about a bridge replacement project on U.S. 166 in Arkansas City, she
called District Construction Mentor John Gatz.
Gatz, who
works out of the District Five office in Hutchinson, drove down to the project
site to lend a hand – and some expertise.
“We talked
about driving the piling on the abutments on that bridge and the PDA (pile
driving analyzer) that was run. She wanted another set of eyes to look at it,”
Gatz said.
Gatz and
Gregory met briefly that day as construction crews continued work on the bridge
over the Arkansas River.
“A mentor is great to have, especially when
it’s been a while since you’ve done something” such as a bridge replacement,
Gregory said.
In addition
to reviewing paperwork, “he helps build confidence too,” Gregory said of Gatz.
“He’s very easy to talk to and gives me feedback on my inspectors when I ask
about their work.”
District Five Construction Mentor John Gatz helped teach some classes recently at the District Five materials lab in Hutchinson, working here with Engineering Technician Alan Perry. |
“They help
with training and improving consistency across the district,” Palic said of
mentors. “They’re kind of an assistant to the District Construction and
Materials Engineer and help train our ETs (Engineering Technicians) across the
district.”
Mentors play
an important role at KDOT and provide valuable knowledge to newer employees,
Palic said.
“I think
they’re a valuable asset to have in every district. Not very long ago not every
district had one,” he said. “We made a push to make sure every position was
filled.”
District
Five Engineer Brent Terstriep said mentors are someone newer Construction
Engineers and Engineering Technicians can turn to to bounce ideas off of, and
“it’s really important to have someone who can work with people.”
Mentors also
provide important help cross-training KDOT employees, Terstriep said.
Gatz, who
has worked for KDOT for 17 years, recently helped teach some classes at the
District Five materials lab in Hutchinson. He became the District Construction
Mentor in April 2018.
Formerly an
Engineering Technician Senior in Pratt, Gatz said “I’m getting more comfortable
in this role. I’m not on a specific project all the time like I was before. I
go to a lot more projects.”
The KDOT Values series focuses on specific standards and goals that the agency strives to reach so transportation in Kansas can continue to move forward. Every district in the state has stories that share how KDOT is achieving our core values and we are sharing a story from different parts of the state every week!
The KDOT Values series focuses on specific standards and goals that the agency strives to reach so transportation in Kansas can continue to move forward. Every district in the state has stories that share how KDOT is achieving our core values and we are sharing a story from different parts of the state every week!
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