Uniontown, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll today recognized 30 PennDOT employees for their outstanding performance with the Star of Excellence Award, PennDOT's highest recognition. Two employees from PennDOT's District 12, which represents Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, were among the honorees.
“Every day, I am reminded of our employees' dedication, their excellent customer service, and in many cases, their sacrifices," said Carroll. “The accomplishments of our Stars of Excellence exemplify PennDOT's mission to provide the very best transportation services to Pennsylvanians every day."
Local winners Linda Mari and Stephanie Whitlatch were honored this afternoon at an awards luncheon at the AACA Museum in Hershey.
“I am thrilled to see Linda and Stephanie receiving the Stars of Excellence," said District Executive Rachel Duda. “These women are committed, passionate stewards of PennDOT. They embody the best of our district, and their awards are well-deserved."
Right-of-Way Administrator – Chief Negotiator Linda Mari supervises right-of-way negotiations, acts as a departmental liaison, and ensures that all codes, policies, and procedures are followed. She provides that the rights of claimants who quality as disadvantaged under Title IX are preserved and that environmental justice standards for qualified projects are honored.
Linda thinks creatively in resolving unique and difficult issues that arise with claimants and ensures that her staff utilizes sound practices to complete their work efficiently. She communicates effectively and professionally, has built strong relationships, and is recognized and appreciated for her excellence by her colleagues, consultants, managers, the agency's central office, and the Office of Chief Counsel.
Municipal Services Supervisor Stephanie Whitlatch assists municipalities with all facets of liquid fuel funding, provides technical support, and secures additional funds through grants. She understands municipalities' financial challenges and socioeconomic demographics, enabling her to guide her unit to successfully aid those entities in maximizing their limited resources.
Stephanie leads her staff in developing and maintaining collaborative and productive relationships. She provides training on various municipality-requested topics, has a genuine gift for communicating, and consistently provides excellent customer service. She is regularly commended for her competence and professionalism by district peers, those at the Bureau of Planning and Development, municipal officials, and their support staff.
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, spanning from highway maintenance and driver and vehicle services workers to traffic control specialists, communications staff, and design and engineering specialists.
For more information, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/District12 or call 724-439-7315.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Laina Aquiline, laquiline@pa.gov or 724-415-3748
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