The Bridge (KC EAC) Announces New Leadership

The Employee Assistance Council (The Bridge) has officially selected its new chair and vice chair, Anthony Crusha and Karlee Bauknecht! The newly elected duo will be replacing Maintenance Crew Leader James Miles and Assistant Bridge Maintenance Supervisor Liz Hart-Hopkins.

Anthony is a senior maintenance worker in Harrisonville and has been with MoDOT for six years. He’s been on the EAC for almost two years and is very excited to take on the role of EAC Chair!

“What made me run for this position was being a part of the growth that the EAC has had an all of the positive influences it has had within MoDOT,” explains Anthony. “I wanted to be a part of that growth and making positive changes while being able to help in any way possible.”

Karlee is a senior construction inspector and has worked for MoDOT for four years. During that time, she’s been on the EAC for about one year and will serve as vice-chair.

“I wanted to run for the EAC leadership to make new connections throughout MoDOT and to help bridge the gap between all departments,” she explains. “I am most excited to watch the EAC grow as an organization and to be able to help her colleagues both at work and in times of need.”

The EAC was established in 2005 to foster and enhance a positive and supportive work environment for employees by assisting management with cultural diversity, policy review and communication issues. Anthony and Karlee are eager to continue helping  EAC be a resource for Team MoDOT.

A new secretary of the EAC will be selected at the July meeting. If you're interested in joining the EAC or learning more, contact your area's representative!

Design Group at KC District Office Enjoys Employee Appreciation Event (Photo Gallery)

Members of the Design Group at the District Office gathered at Lake Jacomo Park for a little fun in the sun.

They took part in several games and ate lots of sweet treats, such as ice cream and cookies.

Appreciating MoDOT is a Family Affair

Continuing with our theme of appreciation this week, one employee shares his appreciative mindset with more than his co-workers -- at his house, it’s an all-family affair.

CR: Thanks again for sharing with us this week. To get us started, what is your name, current job title and how long have you worked for MoDOT?

BB: I’m Brian Burger the District Construction and Materials Engineer. I just celebrated my 14 year anniversary but it still feels like just yesterday was my first day.

CR: That’s great! I know from working with you the last few years that you’ve had some interesting jobs here. Tell us which positions have you held at MoDOT?

BB: They have all in been construction department but all of them were different in my day-to-day. I’ve been an Inspector, Assistant District Construction and Materials Engineer, Assistant Resident Engineer in Nashua, Design Build Deputy Director for the Manchester Bridge project, Resident Engineer Nashua, the Lee’s Summit Resident Engineer, and now my current job leading this team.

CR: With such a great wealth of experience, what would you say you enjoy most about working for MoDOT?

BB: How can I pick just one!!?

CR: Ha! Give it your best top two or three then!  

BB: Enjoy about the work? I most enjoy serving the public. Knowing the work we do is important so folks can get to their destinations safely and quickly. I like that as an engineer working as the owner, we have decision making abilities – and it’s not just providing input or ideas as a consultant.

Enjoy about the people?   I’ve found that the people who stay at MoDOT are of similar mindset as myself – and also enjoy their career as a public servant. I enjoy seeing the perspective of contractors, consultants and then the public servants and helping come to a fair decision.

About MoDOT in general? Flexibility. Haven’t missed an appointment or kid’s game yet. MoDOT is extremely flexible.

Corporate Challenge. The 1 team attitude of the staff. Everyone in this together.

Secretly... I kind of enjoy the snow plow. Still a kid at heart and love the big equipment! Bigger the better!

CR: That covers a great range! Since you mentioned the one team attitude, tell me about a time when you MoDOT family was able to assist you beyond the normal call of duty?

I’ve had coworkers help me with welding broken tractor parts, work on vehicles, babysit my kids, pass along toys/clothes for kids, loan me tools/borrow my tools, attend my wedding, visit my family at the birth of my kids and play on my softball team. The most recent example though was last week: My wife was home sick with our three kids and I was up in the northland at a meeting. She was texting me that she wasn’t even feeling up to getting them lunch made and they were starving. One of my coworkers took his lunch break to go grab my kids McDonald’s and delivered it to the house. If this place isn’t just like family then I don’t know what is.

CR: We never get tired of hearing stories like that. Your kids are frequent guests to the district office also. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

BB: My 6 year old told his kindergarten class this year when he grows up he wants to work for MoDOT.  That’s a pretty proud moment. My daughter tells everyone she rides with to “Buckle Up Phone Down” and occasionally – once in a blue moon -- I catch my wife listening as I’m describing guardrail, pavement or bridge features while we are driving.

I’ve got a poster on my wall in my office (well, several) but the one says “My job is to make tomorrow’s world BETTER” – I think that pretty much says it all.

CR: That is the best wrap up to an interview! Thanks again for all you do and for taking the time to chat with us. We appreciate your team and all their work also!

Brian Burger’s kids have been a regular fixture around the office for many years. Recently they painted some rocks for the office grounds as part of the Kindness Rocks Project. Smiling faces, words of affirmation and #BUPD are scattered around the entrance for visitors and employees alike to enjoy.

Share what you appreciate about MoDOT! E-mail Lairyn McGregor at lairyn.mcgregor@modot.mo.gov and we’ll share your appreciation story this week.   

Eric Foster's Cup Runneth Over (Photo Gallery)

Last week, we told you about the big celebration Assistant Right Away Manager Eric Foster held at the KC District Office after his St. Louis Blues hockey team won the Stanley Cup Championship. 

Incredibly, the story doesn't end there. 

Still on cloud nine after the win, Foster did what any Blues fan would do. 

That following weekend, he headed off to his home town of St. Louis to take part in and be a witness to the parade thrown for his newly crowned team.

For those of you who are not aware, Foster and his daughter made a replica Stanley Cup in honor of the special win. 

It was only fitting that they take the replica cup with them to the parade. 

From there, it's nothing short of shear amazement how something made from a bowl out of Foster's kitchen and lots of aluminum foil took on a life of its own.

Foster says despite not getting very close to the parade route, that didn't stop him and hundreds of other revelers from celebrating with his special cup.

Being swept up in the moment, throngs of Blues' fans began kissing and hoisting Foster's cup up in the air. 

And of course, he began taking pictures to capture the moment.

We're talking complete strangers kissing the cup. But wait, it gets better. Some people were also drinking their favorite adult beverage from it.

Foster jokingly says, "After 6 or 8 people drank out of it, I wasn't drinking from it." 

Aside from that, one person after another continued to hoist the cup in celebration.

After awhile, the cup started to lose its shape, but that didn't slow anyone down. 

"Everybody was wearing blue, everybody was chanting and cheering and having a good time," adds Foster.  

It's amazing what a little ingenuity and lots of aluminum foil can do to a crowd. 

Check out below some of the amazing photos Foster took that day. Simply amazing.