Agency recognizes 31 employees across Pennsylvania.
Uniontown, PA – At a ceremony in Harrisburg today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll recognized 31 PennDOT employees for their outstanding performance with the Star of Excellence Award, PennDOT's highest recognition. Three employees from PennDOT District 12, encompassing Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, were among the honorees.
"I'm continually impressed by the hard work and dedication of the PennDOT team," Secretary Carroll said. "These folks work tirelessly each day to provide safe and efficient transportation for Pennsylvania's residents."
Carroll and other department executives honored winners Suzanne Buzzelli, Cristin Covert, and Joel Morris during an event held at the State Museum of Pennsylvania.
"These outstanding employees do extraordinary work every day," expressed District Executive Bill Kovach. "They consistently exceed what is required of them to improve District 12 and the Department of Transportation, enhancing safety and service to our customers."
Suzanne Buzzelli (Clerical Supervisor 2)'s attitude, work ethic and dedication are exemplified on a routine basis in every position she's held. As personnel turnover impacted each of the counties during the COVID pandemic period, she coordinated continuously with clerical supervisors to keep critical hiring and human resource functions flowing.
Sue served in an out-of-class position in two counties while they were filling vacancies. She also took it upon herself to follow-up after the position was filled to ensure there was no lapse in service. She helped train the new clerical staff to ensure they were going to be successful.
"Sue has a well-deserved reputation as someone who goes out of her way to help other people. She never says, 'It's not my job,' and always asks what she can do to help," Kovach remarked.
Cristin Covert (Senior Civil Engineer Supervisor, Environmental Manager) performs advanced work in reviewing and analyzing the effects of proposed, planned, and existing transportation facilities on the environment. She was awarded the 2023 Project Environmental Stewardship Award at the District 12-0 Winter Construction School – selected for her dedication, commitment, and exceptional effort to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
Cristin voluntarily mentors civil engineer trainees, steps-in where her expertise is highly valued and desired and inspires her staff to assume greater self-reliance and leadership. She has saved PennDOT considerable time and money by immediately volunteering to take on the implementation of new federal agency mandates. She and her staff helped with a lengthy self-inspection/self-audit, which eliminated the need to hire outside consultants in both instances.
"Cristin frequently receives recognition and appreciation from fellow employees," Kovach noted. "She has built strong relationships inside and outside the agency where it's universally known that she consistently 'does the right thing.'"
Joel Morris (Program Analyst 3, Business Performance Manager) manages ISO 9001 and supervises the communications office, customer service and training coordination. During a time of snowstorms, interviews, and media events, Joel dropped from three communications team members to zero, all while mentoring the acting Community Relations Coordinator (CRC) 1/Safety Press Officer. He also led the district's 2022 and 2023 construction previews and hosted a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law event.
When the western region digital director left PennDOT, Joel trained his staff to manage its social media and website and developed a submittable electronic form to use when a press release is warranted. That proactive and productive process was piloted and is now used districtwide.
District Executive Kovach recognized him, saying, "Joel works tirelessly to move quickly on innovations and necessary changes, all while making an extraordinary effort to keep day-to-day activities moving seamlessly."
The Star of Excellence Awards are presented annually to employees who represent the department's values of service, performance, and integrity. The recipients represent a variety of organizational positions – from highway maintenance and driver and vehicle service workers to traffic control specialists, communications staff, and design and engineering specialists.
For more information on PennDOT activities in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, visit https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-12.
Contact: Laina Aquiline, laquiline@pa.gov or 724.415.3748
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