July-September 2007

Career Moves

Morrison Retires From NOVA

Morrison

Dennis Morrison, administrator of the Northern Virginia District, is retiring from VDOT to join Volkert & Associates as senior vice president and office manager for the engineering firm’s Virginia office.

“During his long career with VDOT, Dennis has made so many valuable contributions,” said VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern. “We will deeply miss his solid leadership, good business sense and management style.”

Morrison, a 31-year veteran of VDOT, was named Northern Virginia district administrator in September 2004.

Earlier, he was district administrator for Staunton, acting Hampton Roads district construction engineer, and the state assistant construction engineer.

From 1985 until 1992, Morrison was Chesterfield resident engineer.

Morteza Salehi, Culpeper District administrator, has been named acting administrator for the Northern Virginia District.

Quintin Elliott, Asset Management Division administrator, has been named acting director of Culpeper District.

Nicholson Is First Mega Project Director

Nicholson

Ronaldo T. “Nick” Nicholson, P.E., has been chosen to lead the complex coordination of major construction and public-private projects planned for Northern Virginia.

In his new role, Nicholson will have responsibility for oversight and management of more than $7 billion in major construction projects in Northern Virginia.

He also will coordinate VDOT’s regional transportation management plan.

Nicholson has served as a project manager for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Improvement Project since June 2001.

Earlier he was Northern Virginia District structure and bridge engineer from 1995 to 2001 and an assistant resident engineer for construction and preliminary engineering from 1993 to 1995.

Prior to joining VDOT, he was a senior design engineer with Fairfax County Department of Public Works, where he was project manager for the Fairfax County Parkway.

Crews
Crews

Crews Leads Safety and Health

John E. Crews Jr. has been named administrator of the Employee Safety and Health Division.

Formerly residency administrator for Sandston Residency, Crews brings to VDOT a wealth of leadership experience in the manufacturing industry as well as knowledge of operational safety and health programs.

Crews served in leadership positions, nationally and internationally, within the tobacco industry, including executive roles in total quality management, productivity, distribution and customer service and in plant manufacturing.

White Named Verona RA

James W. “Jimmy” White Jr. is returning to VDOT from his recent retirement to be Verona residency administrator.

He succeeds Kenny Robinson, who has become a project manager in Northern Virginia District.

White
White

White was Lexington residency administrator from 1988 until his retirement last year.

He began his career at VDOT in 1966 as a skilled labor rodman and moved to survey party supervisor.

He later became marine resources surveyor of the Interstate 264 Downtown Tunnel in Norfolk and then was promoted to assistant resident engineer in Norfolk.

After his retirement, White worked for Anderson and Associates of Blacksburg.

Also Making Career Moves:

Donnie Coffey: From transportation operations manager I, Staunton District sign shop, to engineering technician III, Staunton District office, Regional Operations
Homer F. Coffman Jr.: From Civil Rights Section to program administrations manager II in the Regional Operations Center, Staunton District
Janice Curtis: From affirmative action officer with Bank of America to affirmative action officer, Civil Rights Division
Britt Drewes: From public information manager with the City of Richmond to project manager, Public Affairs, Central Office
Tina Englebright: From permits and subdivision specialist senior, Halifax Residency, to superintendent Volens Area Headquarters
Tom Fahrney: From project manager for the Dulles Rail Project to commonwealth BRAC coordinator, a position in which he will be statewide project manager and liaison for transportation issues related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) bill
Timothy Fitzgerald: From general administration manager I, Harrisonburg Residency, to general administration manager I, Verona Residency
Rick Fultz: From engineering technician III to transportation operations manager II in the Roadside Management Section, Staunton District
Eric B. Groah: From engineering technician III , Lexington Residency, to engineering technician IV, Staunton District Construction Section
Keith Helsey: From transportation operator II, Toms Brook Area Headquarters, to transportation operations manager I, Edinburg Residency
Vernon Hoke: From architecture-engineering manager I, Verona Residency, to program administration manager III, regional operations, Staunton District
Raymond W. Lightner: From transportation operations manager I to transportation operations manager II in the Monterey Area Headquarters, Verona Residency
Tammy Mancinelli: From hourly employee to assistant civil rights manager, Staunton District
Jeremy S. Mason: From transportation operator II, Edinburg Residency Winchester Office, to equipment service and repair tech I, Edinburg Equipment Section
John R. McClain Jr.: From environmental engineer to district environmental manager, Lynchburg District
Kimberly R. Nelson, real estate appraiser, Right of Way Section, Bristol District, was presented the “Citizen of the Year” award for the Virginia Crime Prevention Association. State Attorney General Bob McDonnell and others made the presentation.
Victor Ostellino: From transportation operator II to maintenance operations manager I, Gloucester Area Headquarters, Bowling Green Residency
Laura Southard: From public affairs manager, I-81 Salem office, to communications project manager, Public Affairs, Central Office

Professional Notes

Todd Bolling, construction manager, Chesterfield Residency, has passed the professional engineer’s exam.
Kellie Bonner, statewide employee programs consultant, Human Resources Division, earned a master of arts degree in transportation policy, operations, and logistics from George Mason University. She also attained the certified recognition professional (CRP) designation through Recognition Professionals International.
Cheryln Davis, administrative program specialist II, Saluda Residency, graduated magna cum laude from Florida Metropolitan University with an associate degree in paralegal studies.
Jimmy Epps, assistant residency administrator, Halifax Residency, has passed the professional engineer’s exam.
Todd Halacy, Hampton Roads District urban engineer, has passed the professional engineer’s exam.
Dan Horvath, statewide benefits consultant, Human Resources Division, attained the certified benefits professional (CBP) designation through WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals.
Taya M. Jarman, community outreach coordinator, Richmond District, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a master's degree in strategic public relations.
Matt Lipscomb, engineer, Location and Design Section, Lynchburg District, has passed the licensed surveyor exam.
Shannon N. Marshall, communications project manager, Public Affairs Division, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a master's degree in strategic public relations.
Kimberly R. Nelson, real estate appraiser, Right of Way Section, Bristol District, was presented the “Citizen of the Year” award for the Virginia Crime Prevention Association. State Attorney General Bob McDonnell and others made the presentation.
Nick Nies, location study project manager, Environmental Division, earned a master of arts degree in transportation policy, operations, and logistics from George Mason University.
Pam Turner, procurement officer I, Staunton District, has earned the Virginia contracting officer certification.
Sharon White, engineer, Location and Design Section, Lynchburg District, has passed the professional engineer’s exam.

Page last modified: Dec. 26, 2007