PennDOT Honors Local Employees for Innovation
- May 15
- 3 min read
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recognized PennDOT employees with Innovation Awards for creating efficiencies and implementing best practices at a ceremony this month. Four team members from PennDOT’s District 3, which represents Tioga, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties were among the honorees.
“Coming from a variety of different perspectives and backgrounds, PennDOT’s workforce of nearly 12,000 is uniquely equipped to meet the needs of an industry that changes every day,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These awards honor PennDOT’s most creative thinkers, who go out every day and find innovative ways to meet the challenge head-on.”
The annual Innovation Awards Ceremony recognizes some of the best and most innovative ideas cultivated and implemented by PennDOT employees across the Department. The ceremony honors employees who looked at the work they were doing, the processes, systems and tools they were using, and found ways to improve the quality, safety and value of the products and services PennDOT provides. Each employee receives a custom award that represents PennDOT's appreciation for their dedication and commitment to efficient and effective operations at all levels of the organization.
Carroll and other department executives honored winners District Pavement Engineer Isaac Bragunier, District Materials Manager Jeff Kerr, Electronic Construction and Materials Management System (eCAMMS) Coordinator Andrew Poploskie and Assistant Maintenance Manager Stephen Tokarz. Bragunier, Kerr, Poploskie, and Tokarz were recognized for research and implementation of changes that improved microsurfacing as part of the district’s Pavement Preservation Strategy. This microsurfacing innovation increases roadway life cycle, ensures acceptable skid resistance, and is cost-effective.
“When previous microsurfacing methods were having a negative impact on skid resistance, our team stepped up to the plate and collaborated to improve microsurfacing. I am proud of these four employees for their commitment to find an innovative solution that not only improves safety on our roadway, but also saves the taxpayers money,” said District 3 District Executive Eric High.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recognized PennDOT employees with Innovation Awards for creating efficiencies and implementing best practices at a ceremony this week. Four team members from PennDOT’s District 1, which represents Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties were among the honorees.
“Coming from a variety of different perspectives and backgrounds, PennDOT’s workforce of nearly 12,000 is uniquely equipped to meet the needs of an industry that changes every day,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These awards honor PennDOT’s most creative thinkers, who go out every day and find innovative ways to meet the challenge head-on.”
The annual Innovation Awards Ceremony recognizes some of the best and most innovative ideas cultivated and implemented by PennDOT employees across the Department. The ceremony honors employees who looked at the work they were doing, the processes, systems and tools they were using, and found ways to improve the quality, safety and value of the products and services PennDOT provides. Each employee receives a custom award that represents PennDOT's appreciation for their dedication and commitment to efficient and effective operations at all levels of the organization.
Carroll and other department executives honored winners Josh Austin, Marcus Cramer, Michele Mansfield, and Dax Nulph. Austin, Cramer, Mansfield, and Nulph were recognized for developing a web-based directory of all construction projects within the district. Updated weekly by project staff and available to all district personnel, the directory allows access to real-time information, increasing efficiency as it diminishes the need to send individual requests for project information. The system has improved customer service, while also enabling construction staff to focus on the priorities of project safety and construction quality.
“This innovation was geared towards internal communication which something that is continually an area of requested improvement among employees,” said Brian McNulty, District 1 Executive. “It allows a free flow of project information and greater productivity, especially for construction unit leadership team.”
