#IAMKDOT: Ron Edwards

Jetmore Equipment Operator Senior Ron Edwards has experienced a lot during his 47 years with KDOT. In fact, he’s probably forgotten more about KDOT than most people remember and plowed more snow than most people see in a lifetime. 

Always willing to help others, he has led the way through the snow to the hospital when the ambulance couldn’t get through, flagged traffic throughout the night because of the weather or a car crash and helped stranded motorists change flat tires and jump start batteries. 

Known as a jack of all trades and the original “Mr. Fix It,” Edwards can build or repair almost anything. This includes the gazebo at the Jetmore City Pool, which Edwards built and paid for himself in memory of his daughter, Heather, who passed away at 14.

Edwards enjoys spending time with his family including his wife, Rosanne, and daughters, Morgan and Madison. When not helping his daughters with do it yourself and home improvement projects, Edwards enjoys fishing and polka music. 

Do you know a KDOT worker that deserves recognition? Email Mallory.Goeke@KS.gov today to get started.

#IAMKDOT: Melissa Poe

When Melissa Poe arrived in the District 5 office on Oct. 21, 1996, to start work as an Office Assistant II, she never would have thought she’d still be working for KDOT 21 years later.

But the people – and the opportunity to move up in her career – keeps her in the Hutchinson office.

“I like the camaraderie between all of us in the office,” Poe said. “I enjoy what I do and like to help others.”

Poe, a diehard Broncos fan, has been the District Accountant for the past three years. In that role, she audits and approves payment vouchers, creates purchase orders, ensure policies and procedures are followed and answers questions from District 5 employees.

Poe and her wife, Kara, married on New Year’s Day. They have three teenagers.

Known for belting out tunes to beat the mid-afternoon blues, Poe enjoys singing karaoke and dancing. But she spends most of her time outside work with family – just the way she wants it.

She describes herself as hard-working, caring and understanding – just the way KDOT wants it.

#IAMKDOT is an illustration project that recognizes KDOT employees who work hard to keep Kansans moving. This series also serves as a reminder for travelers to slow down and remember that underneath those neon vests are individuals with families, friends and hobbies waiting for them at home.

Do you know a KDOT worker that deserves recognition? Nominations are open! Email Mallory.Goeke@KS.gov today to get started! 

#IAMKDOT: Nathan Blankinship

This month's #IAMKDOT is Nathan Blankinship who has worked at KDOT for about three years and he is an Equipment Operator at the KDOT Sedan Subarea in southeast Kansas.

In this illustration, Nathan is shown leveling a sign post along K-99 in Chautauqua County. 

When he is not working for KDOT, Nathan farms east of Sedan, raising cattle and pigs, and is a custom hay baler. In addition to farming and custom baling, in his off-duty hours he volunteers with the Sedan Rural Fire Department. Nathan’s dog, a red heeler named Abby, even has her own Facebook page, ‘Abby the Chautauqua County Fire Dog.’

#IAMKDOT is an illustration project that recognizes KDOT employees who work hard to ensure Kansans enjoy safe roads, rails and skies. Safe and successful transportation also helps Kansans financially. Some employees of KDOT fill dangerous but necessary positions and this project also serves as a reminder for travelers to slow down and remember that underneath those neon vests, are individuals with families and hobbies waiting for them at home.

Do you know a KDOT worker that deserves recognition? Nominations are open! Email Mallory.Goeke@ks.gov today to get started! 

Art contest highlighting aviation takes flight

The KDOT Division of Aviation officials are encouraging young artists take their talents to new heights by participating in the 2017 International Aviation Art Contest, “Beyond the Clouds.”

The contest, for which there is no entry fee, is for artists ages 6 to 17 years of age and is intended to “celebrate the adventures and excitement only available in that special place beyond the clouds.” It is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation, the National Association of State Aviation Officials, the Federal Aviation Administration and others.

Artists will compete in age groups:

• Those born between Jan. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2010
• Jan. 1, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2006
•  And Jan. 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2002

The top three state winners from each age group will have their work entered in the national competition. The three winners in each group at the national level will then have their entries considered in international competition.
State winners will receive a certificate and state recognition; national winners will receive certificates, ribbons and a framed reproduction of their artwork; and international winners will receive certificates and medals.

The deadline for entries, which cannot be computer-generated and must be submitted in 11¾-by-16½-inch format, is Jan. 20, 2017.

For more information and contest rules, visit  http://www.nasao.org/education/nasao-center-for-aviation-research-and-education/international-aviation-art-contest/