Click here for a one-webpage version of all the stories in this column, in their complete form. (Service Awards and Retirements are not included.)
Director’s Corner
A heartfelt farewell to my Caltrans family
News
Tribal cultures spotlighted; multimodal gains pursued
District 3 has worked with the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to produce plaques and signage at the Donner Lake Vista Point and Maxwell Rest Area. Meanwhile, more than 15 walk assessments have been completed, all stemming from the District 6 walk assessment initiative started in 2021.
Transportation leaders reach out to small businesses
On Feb. 20, Caltrans hosted its fourth DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) Summit at the Roebbelen Center in Roseville to share knowledge and tools with the 300 socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses that attended. The event was an opportunity to network with a variety of participants, including state and local agencies, prime contractors and resource providers.
Food collected for Fresno families in need
Every year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) leads the State Employees Food Drive, raising food, funds and awareness regarding hunger issues in our state. California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet more than 1 in 5 Californians – about 8.8 million – currently struggle with food insecurity. District 6 partnered with Fresno Mission, a local non-profit agency in the Central Valley, to donate canned foods to families in need.
Daron Tarver leads the way in ironworker campaign
Due to the research, tenacity and thoroughness of Caltrans Office of Civil Rights Workforce Development Center Contract Manager Daron Tarver, the Federal Highway Administration is awarding Caltrans nearly $260,000 for a statewide Highway Construction Training Program to address the shortage of ironworkers.
Inaugural training academy is heavy on success
On Feb. 28, Caltrans’ Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program graduated 19 disadvantaged individuals in its first academy of the year at the Steelworkers’ Auditorium in Fontana in San Bernardino County. The academy provides comprehensive, hands-on training through a seven-week curriculum that includes hands-on Land Lab Training operating dozers, loaders, excavators, rollers, skid steers and backhoes.
Toy drive a boost for Fresno Rescue Mission
The Resource Management Office worked with Mike Probst, retired AGPA, this holiday season to donate toys and other needed items to families involved with the Fresno Rescue Mission. This is the third year Claudia Juarez’s team has supported the mission during the holiday season. The mission provides itemized lists of needed items for both boys and girls in all age ranges.
Partnering awards ceremony set for May 21
On May 21, the Division of Construction Partnering Program will host the 25th Annual Excellence in Partnering Awards Ceremony in downtown Sacramento. The ceremony will recognize Caltrans construction teams, and their construction industry counterparts, throughout the state for their successful efforts to collaborate, problem-solve, and partner despite the multitude of challenges and obstacles faced during construction.
Tens of thousands of bees rescued in Lompoc
In District 5 in February, a beekeeper was brought in to safely remove bees from inside a signpost near the intersection State Route 246 and T Street in Lompoc. (Santa Barbara County). The bees were removed by Orcutt Bee Rescue and transported to a safe location with the agricultural community.
Hats Off
Tribe grateful for Caltrans’ inclusivity, sensitivity
The Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe in Monterey County sent the following email to District 5 Public Affairs in February. “We are deeply grateful for Caltrans District 5's genuine effort to engage with our tribe and incorporate our concerns into the project planning process. Your commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity is truly appreciated, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative approach.”
Health and Safety
April is Autism Acceptance Month
April is a time to celebrate and accept people with autism. Autism Acceptance Month moves beyond awareness to welcoming neurodiversity and embracing individual differences. The term “autism” comes from the Greek word autos, meaning “self.” This highlights the unique ways people with autism experience the world.
Who’s New
Robert McClintic, Division of Business Operations’ assistant division chief
Robert McClintic has been appointed as Division of Business Operations’ assistant division chief of business, office and security services. Robert graduated from Sacramento State with a bachelor of science degree in business. He began working in state service 15 years ago and has been employed with Caltrans for the past nine years.
Duper Tong, division chief for Headquarters Traffic Operations
Duper Tong is the new division chief for Headquarters Traffic Operations. Duper brings to the role more than 30 years of professional experience in transportation planning, design, traffic safety, electrical systems and traffic operations from both the private and public sectors, including working for Caltrans for the past 26 years.
Service Awards
A list of Caltrans employees who celebrated 25 or 40 years of service, or who received superior accomplishment awards, in February and March.
Retirements
A list of Caltrans employees who retired in February and March.
Obituaries
Marcy Freer, retired External Affairs worker
Retired Headquarters External Affairs employee Marcy Freer (Brighton/Staffelli) passed away on March 1 peacefully after a short illness. Marcy worked for the Plainsboro Municipal Court for many years before moving to California where she worked for the Office of Emergency Management and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), where she retired from in 2019.
James Arthur “Jim” Smith, retired transportation engineer
James Arthur “Jim” Smith passed away peacefully at his home in Mattole Valley on March 15. He was 80. Jim grew up in Ferndale, attending local schools and graduating with the Ferndale High School Class of 1962. He continued his education at Humboldt State College before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1966. After his military service, Jim continued what would be a 35-year career as a Caltrans transportation engineer.
Ronald William Vickery, retired civil engineer
Retired civil engineer Ronald William Vickery of Willows died on Dec. 9, 2024. One of three children, he was born in Orland to Fred and Esther Vickery on Aug. 1, 1936. He graduated from Willows High School in 1954, after which, he joined the Air Force, where he served until 1957. Ron Vickery was a civil engineer with the California Division of Highways (Caltrans). He also farmed rice for 47 years with his brother-in-law and best friend, Frank Argo.
Statewide 2025 Workers Memorial
Each year, Caltrans honors its fallen employees at the statewide Workers' Memorial. (Workers memorial services also are held annually in each of Caltrans' 12 districts.) Family members, co-workers, friends, and the general public are invited to attend the memorial, which took place on April 17 in West Sacramento. The memorial is a time to remember those who lost their lives building, maintaining, and operating California’s world-class transportation system. This observance also highlights safety awareness for employees in work zones, as well as the motoring public.
DOT Shots
What's new with Caltrans? In the spirit that one picture is worth 1,000 words, CT News presents a crowded gallery of photographs taken by, of and about our colleagues and the work they do. Check out the photographs and marvel at all the implied stories they tell!
Contacts
Reed Parsell, Editor, Caltrans News
Matt Rocco, Deputy Director, Public Affairs
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