MAY-JUNE 2012 | THE NEWSLETTER FOR THE ODESSA DISTRICT OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surveying the district Page 2 Graduates Page 3-6 Bits & Pieces Page 7 Retirements Page 10-11 Safety Corner Page 17 ABOVE: Area Engineer Chad Windham, Assistant Area Engineer Freddy Herrera, Andrews supervisor Cleon Payton and Andrews employee Danny Webb inspect the overpass that takes Highway 158 over Highway 385 in northern Ector County after an over-height load struck several of the beams of the overpass. The overpass will be closed for several weeks. ODESSA THAT LEFT A MARK...
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Surveying the district - Welcome to the Texas … AY-J UNE 2012 | T HE N EWSLETTER FOR THE O DESSA D ISTRICT OF THE T EXAS D EPARTMENT OF T RANSPORTATION Surveying the district Page
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Surveying the districtPage 2
GraduatesPage 3-6
Bits & PiecesPage 7
RetirementsPage 10-11
Safety CornerPage 17
ABOVE: Area Engineer Chad
Windham, Assistant Area
Engineer Freddy Herrera,
Andrews supervisor Cleon
Payton and Andrews
employee Danny Webb
inspect the overpass that
takes Highway 158 over
Highway 385 in northern Ector
County after an over-height
load struck several of the
beams of the overpass. The
overpass will be closed for
several weeks.
ODESSATHAT LEFT A MARK...
Back in the saddle
By Mike C. McAnally
District Engineer
It is that time again for me to have a little say in
this issue of the district newsletter, but I am going
to make this a short one. I know you are all very
busy, and I appreciate that more than ever.
I have been out through some of our areas, and
I just want to personally thank each and every one
of you for the outstanding jobs you are doing. It
seems that we have more of everything out on our
highways these days: traffic, trucks, trash,
potholes, mesquite, people, accidents, high
temperatures, rubber, and the list goes on and on.
Throughout all this, each of you continue to
work through some of the most difficult times I’ve
seen in 30 years and most of you are still able to
smile when I see you. Thank you very much for
the dedication and professionalism you are show-
ing.
As dedicated and hard working as you all are,
PLEASE do not forget to take a moment before
performing those job duties every day and make
sure that you and your co-workers are safe. Not
only are the roadways busier than ever, they are
more dangerous than ever, and it is my job to
make sure you stay safe!
Thanks So Muchand Be Safe!!
Surveying the district
A FEW WORDS FROM COL. GARY LAW: It has been a tremendously enjoyable occasion for me to
return to the TxDOT Family. I wish to thank everyone for your support of my service to our nation and
especially to my family during my absence. Without your continuous support, Citizen-Soldiers such as
myself could not serve in the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces, and that would create a
significantly greater challenge to our national defense as well as fiscal budgets. Together, we all serve
our nation. Myself in uniform, and you by filling to voids left behind and providing a wonderful
employment environment to return to. THANK YOU.
Director of
Operations
Bryan
Raschke, left,
chats with
Director of
Transportation
Planning and
Development
Gary Law
during a
breakfast
celebrating
Law’s return
from a
yearlong
military
deployment.
Law came
back to work
June 1.
High school graduatesAustin Ray Betancourt recently graduated from
Seminole High School, home of the Seminole Indians.
Austin is 18 years old and
is the son of Rick and Kristy
Betancourt. Rick is a recently
licensed engineer and works
in the Odessa design office.
In high school, Austin was
involved in football, track
and powerlifting. He also
played in the school band.
Austin’s hobbies include
skateboarding, stunts, writing
music lyrics, drawing and
helping dad with his never-
ending list of projects.
Austin plans to attend
South Plains College in
Levelland where he will start pre-engineering classes. He
hopes to transfer to Texas Tech University after completing
his basics and shoot for either a Civil or Petroleum
engineering degree.
& & &Jaekob Ladd Blewett recently graduated from Smyer
High School in Smyer, Texas. (It’s a few miles west of
Lubbock on Highway 114.)
Jaekob, 18, is the son of
Lance Jenkins, assistant
maintenance supervisor in the
Stanton section office.
Jaekob has been hired on
as a summer hand in the
Midland maintenance office,
so he’ll be hanging out with
dad and beating Lance at Wii.
After a summer of
working, Jaekob wants to
play baseball at a junior
college. So far he’s
considering Corpus Christi
Junior College, South Plains
College in Levelland, Howard College, Midland College
and Odessa College for his future diamond exploits.
& & &Dynesha Savon Dingle is the daughter of Luwana and
David Dingle of Kermit Maintenance.
She recently graduated from Kermit High School where
she participated in four years
of volleyball, cheer and
basketball as well as three
years of track, softball,
National Honor Society and
Student Council. She also
received the UIL Scholar
Award, was named All-State
Academic, won a Presidency
Award and was named
Student of the Month.
Dynesha plans to continue
her education at McMurry
University in Abilene on a
four-year academic
scholarship. She plans to major in Petroleum Engineering.
She’s also a 2012-2013 Warhawk Cheerleader.
& & &Yumira Garcia is a 2012
graduate of Odessa High.
She is the daughter of
Jesus and Teresa Garcia.
Jesus works in the Odessa
Construction Office.
According to her dad,
Yumira won’t drift far away
to continue her eduction.
Jesus said Yumira will begin
her college career by
studying biology at UTPB.
Yumira has been known to
play a little soccer in her day.
& & &Grabiel Ray Salcido recently graduated from Balmorhea
High where he was in the National Honor Society, FFA and
the Texas High School Rodeo
Association.
The son of Candie and
Ruben Salcido (Balmorhea
maintenance supervisor),
Grabiel has qualified as a
team roper for the second
time to compete in the High
School finals in June in
Abilene.
Grabiel plans to attend Sul
Ross State and rodeo for the
university while studying to
be a game warden.
Congratulations
Austin Ray Betancourt
Jaekob Ladd Blewett
Dynesha Savon Dingle
Yumira Garcia
Grabiel Ray Salcido
High school (continued)We don’t exactly have
another Aggie in our midst,
but Kaylie N. Griner recently
graduated from A&M
Consolidated in College
Station.
Her dad is Joel Griner,
supervisor in the Pecos
maintenance section.
Dad said Kaylie is
planning on attending Blinn
Junior College with an eye
toward majoring in
elementary education.
Dad said Kaylie enjoys
shopping, reading and spending time with friends.
& & &Annebelle Hartwig walked across the stage with the
2012 class from Odessa High
School recently.
Annebelle is the daughter
of Lee and Carla Hartwig.
Lee works out of the Odessa
Construction Office.
Annebelle’s future plans
include attending Odessa
College with a goal of getting
into the Odessa College
Nursing Program. Her
lifelong dream is to be a
Registered Nurse, so that is
what she is aiming for.
While in school, Annebelle
was in the OHS choir for three years. She loves to read,
shop, hang with her friends and play with her pets.
By the way, dad Lee just finished his course work with a
goal of becoming a professional licensed engineer.
& & &Haley Lara is now a
Permian High School alum
after walking across the stage
with the Panther Class of
2012.
Haley is the daughter of
Becky and Lonnie Lara.
Lonnie is an inspector out of
the Odessa Construction
office.
Haley plans to attend the
University of Texas at San
Antonio. She plans to major
in sports medicine.
& & &Permian High School 2012 graduate Regan McNatt is
the daughter of Donnie (IT)
and Heather McNatt. She’s
also the granddaughter of
Don (Odessa TP&D) and
Rosemary McNatt. (Regan’s
older brother Michael worked
at the Odessa Maintenance
office last summer and is a
senior at North Texas.)
Regan was President of
her senior class. She also
sang with Permian’s “Black
Magic” and was the top
officer of Permian’s top
choir. A member of the
National Honor Society, Regan graduated in the top 10
percent of her class, was a Texas Scholar and served as vice
president of the French Club. Regan was also active with
Student Senate, served as vice president of the Junior
Board, played soccer for two years and was manager a third
year. Other accomplishments includes making 1st chair
Soprano I in All-Region her senior year and the Area Choir
the past two years.
She is active at First Baptist Church where she is a
member of the New Creation Ensemble, Student Choir,
FBC Youth and also teaches in the 4-year-old Kidzart class.
Regan loves music, fishing, sports and hanging with
friends.
Regan already has 30 hours of college credit. She will
attend Texas A&M in pursuit of a Nursing Degree. She
wants to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
& & &Brandon Munoz graduated with honors from Permian
High School in Odessa this
year.
Brandon was recognized
for his participation in the
dual credit and early
admissions college program
as a Silver Panther Scholar.
He was also recognized for
the numerous volunteer hours
he completed as a Texas
Scholar.
Brandon is the son of Roy
and Elaine Munoz. Elaine
keeps Operations in Odessa
headquarters going as the office manager.
Brandon plans to attend UTPB to study accounting and
hopes to work for a major corporation one day.
But that’s in the fall. For now he enjoys hanging out with
his friends.
Kaylie N. Griner
Annebelle Hartwig
Haley Lara
Regan McNatt
Brandon Munoz
High school (continued)
William Lee Payton and Jason Wayne Payton are now
ex-Mustangs after graduating recently from Andrews High
School. They are the twin sons of Cleon Payton, supervisor
of the Andrews maintenance section.
Jason Wayne Payton is on the left in the green shirt. He
plans to attend West Texas A&M University in Canyon. His
plan is to study theater. After college, his plan is to pursue a
career in direction or teaching theater.
William Lee Payton is on the right in the blue shirt. Like
his twin, he plans to attend West Texas A&M University in
Canyon. Unlike his twin, he plans to major in business.
& & &Branson Yates recently accepted his diploma as a
member of the 2012 graduating class of Permian High
School in Odessa.
Branson is the son of
Melissa and Trent Yates.
Employees of TxDOT’s
Odessa District know Melissa
as the director of the Human
Resources office in the
Odessa headquarters.
Branson was quite the
soccer player while kicking it
for the Permian Panthers. A
three-year varsity player, he
was an honorable mention
All-District selection his
senior year. As a freshman,
he was voted most valuable
defender on the junior varsity team.
He wants to pursue soccer, but he is undecided in his
choice of majors right now. He also hasn’t nailed down
where to go to college just yet, but he has already been
accepted to Lubbock Christian University, so he has that
option to consider.
& & &
Tiffany Rodriguez is a graduated Panther of a different
stripe — the Fort Stockton High variety.
Tiffany is the daughter of
Felipe and Araceli Rodriguez.
Araceli is the office manager
in the Fort Stockton section.
Tiffany is the reigning
Miss Fort Stockton and is
busy with all the functions
involved in representing her
city. Tiffany is preparing for
her last go-round in the
annual Water Carnival Show,
an event that involves a short
play with synchronized
swimming and dancing
routines. She has been a part of the show since she was 5
years old.
She plans to attend Angelo State University and major in
Physical Therapy.
Middle school gradMayra Alejandra
Rodriguez, 14, will be going
into Sanderson High as a
freshman next fall. Mayra is
the daughter of Maria and
Juan Rodriguez, a 15-year
TxDOT veteran.
Mayra keeps busy by
participating in cheerleading,
Student Council and UIL.
She also played basketball
and tennis and ran track.
She hasn’t set a career path
yet, but she’s got four years
of high school to think on it.
Pre-school gradJonathan Rumbaugh, 5-
year-old grandson of Pecos
design technician Gary
Rumbaugh Jr., graduated
from Lamar Early Education
in Odessa. Jonathan is the son
of Gary Rumbaugh III and
Darlene P. Edwards.
His hobbies are riding his
bike and WWE wrestling.
Grandpa said Jonathan has a
profound interest in human
anatomy so we may have a
doctor in our future.
Tiffany RodriguezJason Wayne Payton William Lee Payton
Branson Yates
Mayra Rodriguez
Jonathan Rumbaugh
Bates
College graduatesMeet Amber Bates — or should we make that Dr. Amber
Bates.
Amber has earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy
from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. And she did that
while working as an instructor at Texas Tech.
Amber is married to Kevin Bates. If you follow the
family tree, that makes her the daughter-in-law of Earl and
Phyllis Bates. Phyllis works in the Odessa Construction
Office and has been with TxDOT more than four decades.
Amber and Kevin plan to live in the Dallas area.
& & &Collin Wade Greene recently graduated from Texas State
Technical College in Abilene where he earned a degree in
Digital Imaging and Design.
His parents are James and Ralaine Greene. We all know
Ralaine from her work in Human Resources.
Collin is back in Odessa now working for Vista Sales
and Service.
& & &JoVanna Lambert is a member of the latest crop of
nurses graduating with associate’s degrees from Odessa
College’s nursing program.
JoVanna is the daughter-in-law of Jack and Jeanna
Lambert, both of whom work in Odessa headquarters. Jack
is the environmental guy, and Jeanna works in traffic safety.
JoVanna’s husband is Ben Lambert.
JoVanna will be working at in Labor & Delivery at
Midland Memorial Hospital.
& & &
Paul Michael Martinez is a Summa Cum Laude honor
graduate of Odessa College. Paul earned an associate
degree in Radiologic Technology and compiled a 3.95 GPA
in the process. In addition to being on the President’s list,
Paul is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and has been a
member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Chi and the
Newman Center.
He also volunteered for the H-E-B Feast of Sharing.
Paul is the son of Anita and Freddie Martinez. Freddie
works in Fort Stockton maintenance.
Sixth-grade grads (below) Nick Sinclair, 11-year-old son of Kris and Heather
Spouse only $538.40 $457.72 $530.12 $283.20 $256.00
Children only 360.48 306.48 354.92 283.20 256.00
Spouse & children 898.88 764.20 885.04 566.40 512.00
HUMANA DHMO
DENTAL CHOICE
Spouse only $ 8.52 $ 23.58
Children only 11.93 33.02
Spouse & children 20.45 56.60
Surviving Dependents
*You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B
HEALTHSELECTCOMMUNITY
FIRSTSCOTT
& WHITE
COBRA
You only $ 477.52 $ 405.96 $ 470.18
You & spouse 1,026.69 872.83 1,010.90
You & children 845.21 718.57 832.20
You & family 1,394.38 1,185.44 1,372.92
COBRA DISABILITY
You only $ 702.24 $ 597.00 $ 691.44
You & spouse 1,509.84 1,283.58 1,486.62
You & children 1,242.96 1,056.72 1,223.82
You & family 2,050.56 1,743.30 2,019.00
HUMANA DHMO
DENTAL CHOICE
COBRA
You only $ 8.69 $24.05
You & spouse 17.39 48.10
You & children 20.86 57.73
You & family 29.56 81.78
COBRA DISABILITY
You only $12.78 $ 35.37
You & spouse 25.58 70.74
You & children 30.68 84.90
You & family 43.47 120.27
COBRA/COBRA Disability
Plan Year 2013 Rates
OPTIONAL TERM LIFE*
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
0.06 0.12 0.18 0.24
0.06 0.12 0.18 0.24
0.08 0.16 0.24 0.32
0.12 0.24 0.36 0.48
0.19 0.38
0.33 0.66 0.99 1.32
1.14 2.28
0.93 1.86
1.48 2.96 4.44 5.92
2.41 4.82 9.64
3.92 15.68
13.58
90+ 21.14 42.28
DEPENDENT TERM LIFE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM DISABILITY**
***
VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT (VOLUNTARY AD&D)**
90+ 500
HHarassment
Retaliation
Discrimination
It is the policy of the Texas Department of Transportation to provide equal opportunity to its employees, customers, contractotheir employees, and the public, and to provide a work environmentof discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Unlawful discriminator harassment on the basis of race, sex, age, national origreligion, disability or veteran status is prohibited. All employees will trother employees, customers, contractors and their emplopublic with courtesy, dignity, and respect.
Employees who have a concern about, are subjected to,or witness discrimination or harassment in the workplace must timely repoit to their supervisor, Human Resources Office, Human ResourceOffice of Civil Rights or Office of Compliance and Ethics.
Texas Department of Transportation policy and applicable laws aregulations prohibit retaliation against anyone who repoor complains about a discriminatory practice, submits a complaint or grievance aboua workplace issue, including harassment or discrimination, or participates in an investigation. Retaliation includes but is not limited to an adverse or material personnel action, difference in treatment, threintimidation, reprisal, or denial of service.