Daryl Ellingboe, a transportation specialist at District 3’s Baxter headquarters, died suddenly Dec.10 while visiting Moorhead. He was 57.

A heart attack was the cause of his death.

Ellingboe joined Mn/DOT at the Baxter office in 1989 as a temporary laborer. He gained full-time status in 1990.

Ellingboe was promoted to highway technician 1992 and served as a transportation specialist in the district’s Hydraulics Unit at the time of his death.

Bob Nibbe, district hydraulics engineer and Ellingboe’s supervisor, said he was a “big, quiet, positive kind of guy.”

Nibbe said he and Ellingboe had recently completed his performance review, where Nibbe noted Ellingboe’s contributions as the lead designer for storm water drainage plans on two major projects.

“He was very thoughtful, sought training opportunities and worked hard to make sure he did a good job,” Nibbe said. “He was a pleasure to supervise.”

In addition to his expertise at work, Nibbe said Ellingboe, an experienced home builder, freely shared his knowledge with others.

“If you wanted to know about roofing or siding or wiring, Daryl was the guy to ask,” he said

Ellingboe was a native of Crosslake, Minn., and lived in Brainerd at the time of his death.

The funeral will be held Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be held Dec. 15 at the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd from 4 to 7 p.m.

“All roads are local,” Dan McNichol, a best-selling author and nationally recognized expert on the U.S. interstate highway system, told participants at a Nov. 29 roundtable discussion at the University of Minnesota.

McNichol was the keynote speaker for “At 50: Economic Issues Facing an Aging Interstate System Transportation.” The purpose of the event was to recognize the achievements of the interstate highway system while raising the policy questions that national, regional and local officials will need to answer during the next 50 years.

McNichol, author of several books including The Roads that Built America, provided a history of roads and the interstate highway system in the United States. In the audience were people whose transportation careers pre-dated the interstate system as well as college students just beginning their civil engineering studies.

Joining McNichol in the panel discussion were Lt. Gov/Commissioner Carol Molnau, Tom Sorel, Federal Highway Administration Minnesota Division administrator, and Ron Have, Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee and Freightmasters, Inc. Bob Johns, Center for Transportation Studies director, moderated the discussion.

“Anything that’s been around 50 years needs work,” the lieutenant governor said in her opening remarks. “Including some of us.”

One key theme that emerged during the discussion was the continuing need for partnerships.

“In state transportation, Minnesota is a leader in the development of public-private partnerships that can help strengthen our transportation system in the future,” Molnau said. “Such partnerships help broaden the sense of responsibility for the decisions made at all levels of government and the private sector on that system.”

Sorel agreed, calling partnerships “the backbone of the interstate system” whose importance is often overlooked. He added that the country needs to establish a national transportation policy.

“We need to be developing 21st century solutions to 21st century problems,” Sorel said.

Molnau pointed out that Minnesota will be well-represented next April at the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission, which will focus on Minnesota’s and other states’ contributions to a national transportation vision that includes priorities for improving and maintaining the interstate system as well as the local systems that connect to them.

Have, representing freight haulers, also agreed about the importance of partnerships, noting that Minnesota was the only state with which his company has a partnership.

“In other states, the department of transportation is seen as the enemy,” he said.

Have also concurred about the need for a national transportation policy, particularly to establish uniformity in areas such as speed limits, toll collecting and fuel taxes.

The roundtable was Minnesota’s final event in a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the interstate system. The event was sponsored by Mn/DOT, CTS and the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and the FHWA.

Bob Wryk, Metro District, was named to succeed Dave Dalager as Bemidji/District 2’s maintenance superintendent.

His appointment began Dec.13.

Dalager retired in October, capping a 30-year career with Mn/DOT and District 2.

Before accepting his new position, Wryk served as maintenance superintendent for the Metro District’s Northwest Region.

He brings a total of 27 years of experience as a maintenance worker, supervisor and superintendent to his new assignment.

Wryk’s office is located at the district’s office in Crookston. He may reached at 218/755-3369 and by GroupWise.

Minnesota National Guard soldiers in Iraq are using Mn/DOT’s Adopt a Highway program as a model to keep roads clear of trash—and hidden explosives, according to a Nov. 17 Pioneer Press article.

Read more about the strategy by clicking on http://ihub.clips/archive/06/nov/17/clip02.html.

You can catch up on other Mn/DOT- and transportation-related stories that have appeared in the news media in recent years by going to http://ihub/ and clicking on “Daily News Clippings.” The site is searchable by keyword and contains archived clippings from Minnesota news media going back to Feb. 1, 2001.

By Craig Wilkins

At the end of the first 50 years of the interstate era, new challenges face highway planners, designers and builders.

The new challenges are no less daunting than those that faced the pioneers who built the system from the sub-grade up.

The interstate system is part of the nation’s landscape and consciousness, an avenue of culture and communication as well as one of travel and commerce. It helped create a sea of change in American life, business and mobility. If it is to continue to support our way of life, it will need additional attention and investment.

The last installment on the history of the interstate system addresses steps Mn/DOT and other transportation agencies are making to meet spiraling demand for transportation services that the future will surely bring.

Previous articles are available on Mn/DOT’s 50th anniversary Web page at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/interstate50/.

This week is “Employee Recognition Week” in state government. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your dedication and commitment to serving the citizens of Minnesota each day. I want to thank you for the work you do 52 weeks a year to make Minnesota 's transportation system one of the best in the nation.

I also want to make sure each of you hear this message. Whether you answer the phone or build bridges, every job here is important and every job should be recognized. Hopefully within your office or district you will celebrate this week with some type of gathering. Take this time to also thank your team members and co-workers for their support.

It is only if we rely upon each other that our mission can be accomplished. Please take a moment and just say “thanks.”

In honor of this week, Newsline asked readers to send in their nominations of co-workers who, through their knowledge, skill and professionalism, serve the public well. Please read the responses below.

~ Lt. Gov./Commissioner Carol Molnau

I have been working on the VoIP (voice over Internet protocol phone system) project since I started at Mn/DOT in August 2006. During that time I have been amazed at the organization skills and follow-through of Vicky Sarner, Office of Information Technology. She has taken an immense project and made it seem very easy. Vicky has coordinated planning, ordering, training, installation, meetings and every aspect of the project with much patience. She answers all questions or refers you to the correct person. I think Vicky deserves recognition for all her efforts.

~ Jacki Smiley, Civil Rights and Administrative Services

Jim Swanson, District 7 transportation district engineer, provides an excellent example of leadership for the employees in District 7. Mr. Swanson sincerely cares for and supports the district employees. He looks out for the traveling public’s best interests and the best use of taxpayers’ dollars.

 ~ Lynn Bisch, District 7

Tim Paul, engineering specialist, St. Cloud/District 3 Surveys, is without a doubt one of the most valuable assets I have as a senior construction inspector. He’s ALWAYS on the job, available, ahead of the game and the man with the answers when we need them.

I wish there was some way to calculate the amount of time and money saved the people of Minnesota and contractors by professional and conscientious people like Mr. Paul anticipating schedules, delays, design-build problems and an endless list of construction challenges we face every year. Even though Tim is a supervisor, he is still in the field nearly every day training his people or running a crew just to help out.

Mn/DOT needs a better way to retain these type of people as I’m certain that if a guy like Tim would leave for a better paying consulting position elsewhere, a lot of people might follow (myself included).  

 ~ Kevin Kiess, St. Cloud/District 3

Pam Gonzalez, Mn/DOT Library, is the most diligent, organized, detail-oriented routing clerk we have had in the library that I know. She has weeded and re-organized the entire periodical collection. She has ensured the entire book collection is in order and has completed extra projects related to her job. Pam is competent, has a positive attitude, sets a high standard for her duties and is conscientious about completing her work earlier than scheduled. She goes above and beyond her duties and takes initiatives to do more. Pam accepts other’s suggestions for improvement. I appreciate Pam’s dedication to her work and her thoughtfulness in dealing with co-workers.      

 ~ Qin Tang, Mn/DOT Library

I would like to recognize the work of Linda Chaney in Business Services. What can you say about someone who is in demand by others, but always serves your needs like you are her only client?

Linda is always so responsive and professional. In truth, our requests are not always so reasonable. We have asked for things that are hard to find, deadlines that are difficult to meet and things that are hard to fix.

I just want Linda to know that the Office of Communications appreciates her commitment to excellence. Thanks, Linda!

~ Paula Gustafson, Office of Communications

Although I am lucky enough to work with many great people in the State Aid Division, one person stands out as an extra special co-worker: Merry Daher. As federal aid plans engineer, she is in charge of reviewing plans and setting letting dates for all locally initiated projects that have federal funds.  

Merry has made it her job to make sure that everyone in State Aid gets a personalized birthday card on their birthday. Merry is an excellent cook and regularly brings goodies in to share with the State Aid office. Her sugar cookies at the Hiwayan Club craft sale last month are just the tip of the iceberg! Merry is always merry, just as her name suggests. On days when she is out of the office she is missed.

~ Lynnette Roshell, State Aid Division

I would like to recognize our Mn/DOT Seeds and Phoenix students—past and current! Each student contributes uniquely to Mn/DOT, often balancing work with families and a full load of classes. April Lucas, mother of four, brings a sense of loyalty, drive and enthusiasm to work each day. Lisa Yang, Communications, is responsible for our greatly improved Seeds Web site. Civil engineering students David Sheen and Abdulkadir Jama just received job offers with Mn/DOT’s graduate engineer program. High school student BJ Yang regularly gets glowing reports from his supervisors in Transportation Data Analysis. These are just a few of the many students who contribute to Mn/DOT. Thank you to the supervisors, mentors, program staff and Mn/DOT leadership for believing and investing in programs like Seeds and  Phoenix. The investment is paying off and will continue to do so!

~ Emma Corrie, Office of Human Resources

I would like to recognize Jim Cownie and Bart Martinez, each distinct in his own way yet they share the common trait of “giving their best efforts” in making things happen.

Jim’s easy-going manner and willingness to go that extra step is apparent in his everyday work. He almost always finds a way to achieve a positive outcome on any contract situation that comes his way. This year, Jim participated on the Governor’s Drive to Excellence Sourcing Team, where he worked on identifying ways for Minnesota to drive down its purchasing costs. As the go-to person for contracts, he has assisted numerous offices and districts reach legally binding and enforceable agreements.  

Bart extends his talents beyond that of a contract compliance specialist for the Office of Civil Rights. Need a Spanish interpreter? Just ask Bart. He has used his bi-lingual talents not only for Mn/DOT but for other agencies, too. For the National Civil Rights Conference held in Minnesota this past year, Bart took a lead role in organizing the evening event—which received rave reviews by attendees. Perhaps most important, however, was his role as chairman for the Minnesota State Employees’ Combined Charities Campaign. The goal was to raise a million dollars and, through leadership like Bart’s, I understand they got close to meeting their expectations.

Both Jim and Bart are team players who make a positive difference!

~ Joanne Wagner, Office of Civil Rights and Administrative Services

John Aleksuk, Documents and Records Management Section: The wheels never stop turning in John’s head. He never settles into routine; he is constantly learning, asking questions and thinking of ways to do things better. He has a gift for using past experiences as analogies for current situations, and for using what he learned from past experiences as the basis for solving new problems. His dedication to helping his customers is awesome, and his ability to teach through storytelling is quite effective. John deserves special recognition for Employee Recognition Week. Thank you.

~ Pam Newsome, Documents and Records Management Section

During the past year I’ve had the honor and the pleasure to trace the history of the interstate highway system in Minnesota for Mn/DOT.                    

The task allowed me to meet with scores of fellow employees, retirees and others in the transportation business and hear their first-hand accounts of the way things were done in the first 50 years of interstate planning and construction. I thank you all for sharing your time and stories with me.

I’d also like to thank my co-workers in the Office of Communications and those from other Mn/DOT offices who helped make the work rewarding and fun.

~ Craig Wilkins, Office of Communications

We would like to recognize the positive attitude, team spirit and commitment to public service that exists within the crew who work at the Deer Lake truck station located between Togo and Effie in northern Itasca County. Crew members are Chris Cheney, Bud Drewlow, Ken Porter, Dennis Waytashek and Bob Lavern, supervisor. Chris wrote and recorded “The Deer Lake Crew,” which is a ballad vocalizing how they “work for you.” Others deserving recognition are Walter Leu, John Bray, David Gonzalez and Gary Andrist, who assisted in turning the vocal recording into a multi-media presentation. We can all choose our attitudes, and this ballad shows the outstanding one these people have chosen. They deserve our praise!

~ District 1 Management Team
Click here to read the ballad lyrics.