District News

Headquarters

Welcome

Megan Horn, Financial ServicesDisbursements; John Laughlin, Environmental Services; and Paul Swenson, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-25.

Promotions and Transfers

Travis Allen, Geology; Darryl Cameron, EquipmentMechanics; Stacey Cox, PurchasingAdministration; Holly Garrison, Public Affairs; Ryan Kolb, Right of Way-Property Management; and Dominick Ragan, Highway Project Management Oversight.

Service Awards

Paul Depew, Highway DevelopmentProject Development – 30 years; Debbie Jones, Driver Services-Policy and Records – 25 years;

Christopher Stewart, Port of Entry-Cheyenne Office – 25 years;

Anthony Abeyta, Facilities ManagementCustodial – 10 years;

James Sandusky, Port of EntryCheyenne US 85 – 10 years; Caitlin Casner, CommissionAdministration – 5 years; Hunter Hinckley, Geology – 5 years; Michael Salyers, Aeronautics-Flight Operations – 5 years; Matthew Southworth-Fairbairn, Patrol-Dispatch – 5 years; and Lief Swanbom, Geology – 5 years.

Retirements

Gregory Brown retired on Dec. 2, 2022 from Equipment as a mechanics fabricator. He retired with 19 years of service to the state. He began his career with WYDOT in January 2003.

Brown attended and attained associate degrees at both Nebraska Tech, in Milford, and West Nebraska Tech, in Sidney.

In addition, Brown served in the Wyoming Air Guard.

Christopher Mitchell retired on Dec. 30, 2022 with 13 years of service to the state. He retires from Motor Vehicle Services and the license plate shop.

Carpenter viewing life through a different lens

Rick Carpenter quietly retired in December 2022 after more than 33 years of service with WYDOT.

Carpenter began his career as a Traffic Classifier in 1989, moving to Engineering Technician in 1991 and Printing Technician in 1992 before becoming the department’s senior photographer with the Public Affairs Office in 1994, a position he held for more than 28 years.

As photographer, Carpenter won numerous awards and accolades and had his photos featured in a number of print publications and other media.

In 1997, three photographic prints of Carpenter’s were accepted into the General Collection of the 106th International Exposition of Professional Photography, where they were displayed in Las Vegas, Nevada for three days in conjunction with the Professional Photographers of America’s international convention. His prints were three of 7,000 images submitted for entry in the exhibition, and his work was among the 3,800 images that made the final cut for the event.

He was named “Photographer of the Year” by the Wyoming Professional Photographers Association in 1999 for a photo of a snow scene near Bondurant.

Carpenter also earned the 2007 Rocky Mountain Professional Photographers photographer of the year and American Society of Photographers Regional award.

In 2011, Governor Matt Mead awarded Carpenter a Certificate of Appreciation for his “Wyoming spirit and dedication” as he helped document the clearing of the “Double Draw Landslide” via photographs.

The same year, Carpenter was honored with the American Society of Photographers Fellowship, one of the most prestigious honors in photography. At the time, he was one of just over 100 photographers accepted into the fellowship since its inception in 1970. He was also the first Wyoming photographer to receive the fellowship. Carpenter had to submit 25 images to be critiqued as part of the process.

In his spare time, Carpenter loves working on his vintage cars in his home shop. You might also see him at a car show or two with his lovely wife, Susan.

Oops!

It was reported last month that Enid White is celebrating 15 years of service and works in Materials-Pavement Management Systems. She is actually part of the Research Center. We are sorry for the mistake.

District 1

Welcome

David Palmer, Cheyenne Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers

David Shepard, Emergency Communications-Microwave; and Steven Watson, Elk Mountain Patrol.

Service Awards

George Escobedo, Cheyenne Construction – 15 years;

Ryan Shields, District 1 Construction Staff – 15 years;

Christopher Knapp, Laramie Maintenance-Guardrail – 5 years; and Shad Pitt, Arlington Maintenance – 5 years.

Happy days

Oops!

There was an incorrect photo of Zach Armstrong used in last month’s issue of Interchange. We apologize for the mistake.

District 3

Welcome

Krista Hubbard, Labarge Maintenance; and Mark Talmadge, Pinedale Maintenance.

District 2

Welcome

Aaron Sarha, Torrington Maintenance; and Chance Stoner, Torrington Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers

Justin Collins, Lusk Maintenance.

Service Awards

Chad Aagard, District 2 Maintenance Staff – 30 years; Brooke Allen, District 2 Traffic Staff – 15 years;

Shane Powell, Casper Maintenance –15 years; and Jarred Bigg, PatrolWheatland – 10 years.

Promotions and Transfers

Paul Schurman, Rock Springs TrafficStriping.

Service Awards

Joshua Newell, Kemmerer Construction – 20 years; James Thomas, Patrol-Field Operations – 20 years; and Jesse Zumpfe, Labarge Maintenance –5 years.

Retirements

Craig Barthelmes retired on Dec. 24 from Laramie Mechanics as a senior heavy mechanic. He retired with 25 years of service, having begun his career with the state in June 1997.

Welcome

Brian Helwig, Sundance Maintenance; Ronald Keith, Reno Junction Maintenance; and William Krueger, Buffalo Maintenance.

Service Awards

Nick Palmer, Emergency Communications-District 4 Radio Shop –15 years; and David Alaniz, Gillette Maintenance –5 years.

Retirements

Tom Anderson retired from Sheridan Maintenance on Dec. 15, 2022 with more than 27 years of service to the state. Anderson was crew leader in Sheridan. Born in Nebraska, Anderson made his way to Wyoming and began his career with WYDOT in May 1995.

Carl Carmichael retired on Dec. 23, 2022 with 12 years of service to the state. Carmichael worked as a professional land surveyor in District 4. Carmichael began working for WYDOT in August 2010.

Anthony Morris retired from Buffalo Maintenance on Dec. 16, 2022 with 16 years of service to the state. Morris was crew leader. He began his career with WYDOT October 2006.

Welcome

Scott Kisling, Lander Maintenance; and Chelton Watterson, Shoshoni Maintenance.

Service Awards

Erik Smith, Lander Construction – 25 years;

Guy Grant, Cody Construction – 15 years; and Jeremy Kottman, Basin Mechanics – 5 years.

Winter storm kudos

Dear Director Reiner, I want to express my thanks to all the employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation for the great job they did during the winter storm this past weekend and week (letter was sent Jan. 6, 2023). It was a holiday weekend and I realize they gave up time with their families and friends in order to serve the people of Wyoming and all of the traveling public. I know there were closures and delays, but they cleared them as fast as safely possible. I know that every effort that was made, was done so with the safety of the public in mind. All of the employees did a great job, especially the plow drivers, dispatchers, Highway Patrol and maintenance personnel. They have done that job with the utmost professionalism. I know it is not an easy job, but I want to recognize the great effort and work that has been done, and even continues as I write this.

Simply stated – YOU DID GREAT! THANK YOU TO ALL WYDOT EMPLOYEES.

Rep. Donald E. Burkhart, Jr. State of Wyoming Legislature

Courteous WYDOT driver looks out for pedestrians

I just want to compliment the plow driver that twice has lifted his plow for me and my dogs in Casper. The driver is trying to prevent snow spray and any other foreign objects that may fly while walking on the pathway alongside Casper Mountain Road.

I just want to say thank you! Please pass this along if you can.

Patrick Leary

Driver Services welcoming atmosphere

I came into the Cheyenne Driver License location here in Cheyenne on Friday, Jan 13. I just wanted to give major props to the older woman (sorry, didn’t catch her name unfortunately) who was signing folks in that day. She was so patient, kind, and helpful to everyone who walked through that door.

It can’t be easy working the DMV [sic] on a Friday with an hour long wait, but she never faltered and had a smile for everyone. Made my day! Thanks!

Kaci Nicks