Salem - The Extra Mile - November 2022

Salem District Newsletter
Volume 16 Issue 11
November 2022
What’s Inside
• VDOT Recycles
• Striving for Safety
Excellence
• Employee Profile:
Tristan Palmgren
• It’s CVC Time of Year
• Exploring VDOT Careers
Troutville AHQ Supervisor Greg Fowler assists while Operator Wyatt Crawford uses a Gradall
excavator to dig out a section of asphalt for repair on Brughs Mill Road in Botetourt County.
TheExtraMile
The Salem District employs 44 people
who have served or are serving in the
United States military. A ceremony
was held on November 7 at the Salem
District Office to thank them for their
service and honor their sacrifices.
Veterans enjoyed a Chick-fil-A
breakfast and a short ceremony which
began with the National Anthem sung
by retired assistant district maintenance
administrator Buddy Buchanan.
HONORING OUR VETERANS
Veterans Bendy Brumfield (Pearisburg AHQ), Jim Ridpath
(Dublin AHQ) and Steven Gillespie (Pearisburg AHQ) enjoy
fellowship and breakfast at the Veterans Day Ceremony.
District Construction Engineer Rob
Griffith offered a sincere appreciation to
the veterans for their service on behalf of
VDOT. He then introduced special guest
Command Master Chief Richard Curtis, Jr.
Speaking from experience, Chief Curtis
(left) explained that serving the country
was for more than a paycheck, “It
was a passion.” He noted that VDOT
employees who served their country
have continued their service while
working for the state.
cont. pg. 2
UNBELIEVABLY THANKFUL
By Ken King, P.E.
Ken.King@VDOT.virginia.gov
I hope each
of you had
a much
deserved
break and
wonderful
Thanksgiving
holiday. After reflecting on
the year’s accomplishments,
I wanted to share that I
am so thankful for all your
contributions. Salem District
continues to be a strong
performer and each
of you has some part in that.
You may know that I spent
much of November out on
medical leave. My wife had
experienced renal failure
and was on dialysis since
last summer.
cont. pg. 2
Bedford • Botetourt • Carroll • Craig • Floyd • Franklin • Giles • Henry • Montgomery • Patrick • Pulaski • Roanoke 1

KING cont.
After being physically
assessed, I was pleased to
learn that I could be a kidney
donor to her, but since we
are different blood types, we
decided to enter the paired
donor exchange program
managed by the National
Kidney Registry.
In this program, I offered to
donate my kidney in exchange
for my wife receiving a
kidney from a donor who
was a better match for her.
We expected the matching
process to take 12-18 months,
but in late September, we
were pleasantly surprised to
learn that a match had been
found with a pair in Madison,
Wisconsin.
On October 25, my wife and
I both had surgery at UVA
Medical Center. My kidney
was removed and flown to
Madison, and the donor in
Madison had their kidney
removed and flown to
Charlottesville. By the end of
the day, both donated kidneys
had been transplanted.
It was amazing to see how
quickly my wife felt better
as the transplanted kidney
immediately began to
improve her blood function
and overall health.
I have recovered and am
back at work. I know
some of you may have
friends and family who
have experienced similar
lifesaving medical
treatments. It is amazing,
and I am so thankful to
live in a time and place
that such a medical
miracle is possible.
So, for me, this
Thanksgiving holiday I
am indeed unbelievably
thankful!
-Ken
Bendy Brumfield
Carl Bryant
Robert Dove
Daniel Duncan
Glenn Ferguson
James “Bo” Frazier
Michael Gabriel
Linda Gaines
Jason Gibbs
Richard Gilley
Herman Haley
VETERANS...CONT’D
“My family and I thank you for your service,” said
Chief Curtis. “Not just for being veterans, but now
you’re in the business of serving your community.”
Each veteran in attendance had the opportunity
to share and be recognized for their military
experience. Martinsville Administrative Assistant
Linda Gaines (top left) and Burnt Chimney Operator
Steven Loveday (bottom left) are two of many who
shared briefly about their service.
Linda served in the Navy from 1985 to 1990. She
was stationed on the USS Holland AS-32 located in
Goose Creek, South Carolina, before moving to the
main Naval base in Charleston.
Steven Loveday served in the Army from 2009 to
2013. He was an infantry soldier and was stationed
in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012.
Thank you to all VDOT employees who served in the
United States military:
Jason Handy
Ronnie Handy
David Harden
Kenneth Hubbard
Eric Jewell
Steven Loveday
Timothy Martin
Mark McKissick
John Meadows
Joseph Myers
Marty Oaks
Jerry Ogden
Eric Persinger
James Pickett
Alex Price
Stephen Proctor
Willard Ramsey
John Reed
James Ridpath
Brian Sarver
Bobby Savage
Alexander Seay
VDOT RECYCLES
Michael Sharkady
John Shelor
Joshua Sproles
Michael Sprouse
Michael Stewart
Samuel Taylor
Robert Vest
Jonathan Wood
Larry Woolwine
Richard Wymer
Instead of throwing away your unwanted papers, cardboard and/or metal, recycle!
Unwanted papers, file folders and similar items can be
placed in a 1st Choice Shredding bin for recycling found on
the first and second floors of the A1 building at the District
Complex. These bins are emptied every four weeks. For more
information, contact Business Administrator Thelma Ingle at
thelma.ingle@vdot.virginia.gov.
Also available at the District Complex, next to the 1st Choice
Shredding bin on the first floor, is a blue bin where cardboard
can be placed for recycling. Another larger cardboard bin
can be found on the second floor across the hall from the
shredding bin. It is important that only cardboard is placed in
these two bins. Please breakdown boxes.
To recycle scrap metal, D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company has provided containers at several
locations within the district for drop offs. “Scrap metal can be placed in one of the
containers, or we also have the option to take it directly to the vendor’s location from a job
site,” explained Asset and Inventory Manager David Tyzinski. “At the end of each month,
they pay us based on the amount of scrap we generate throughout the month which
normally consists of used roadway pipes, bridge beams, signs, posts and equipment repair
related items.” For more information, contact David at david.tyzinski@vdot.virginia.gov.
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Bedford • Botetourt • Carroll • Craig • Floyd • Franklin • Giles • Henry • Montgomery • Patrick • Pulaski • Roanoke

STRIVING FOR SAFETY EXCELLENCE
HR SPOTLIGHT
It’s time to start thinking
about and preparing for the
2023 Safety Excellence Award
Program (SEAP).
VDOT districts around the state
will be competing again for
SEAP points which can
be earned in the three
following ways:
1) Completing online employee safety training,
2) Submitting videos that demonstrate useful safety practices in a compelling
and creative way and
3) Documenting facility inspections. In April 2023, five locations in each district
with completed inspections will be chosen for a facility audit which could earn
the district additional points.
See below for the full list of required training courses that are now available
on VDOT-U.
Field Employee Training: • Field Safety • Safety Reporting
• VDOT Fire Extinguisher Training • Construction: Caught-in
or Caught-between
Office Employee Training: • Office Safety • Safety Reporting
• VDOT Fire Extinguisher Training • Active Shooter 2.0
Would you like the latest news
and updates about your Virginia
Retirement System (VRS)
membership?
Subscribe to the VRS Member
News newsletter at
varetire.org/newsletter for
information about your state
retirement benefit.
The most recent issue is now
available for review and can be
found at varetire.org/mnews.
For more information, visit the SEAP page on Sharepoint
or click the QR code. For questions, contact District Safety
Manager Scott Mutter at 540-871-8365 or
scott.mutter@vdot.virginia.gov.
Salem Residency’s Administrative Assistant Tristan
Palmgren has the most interesting side gig as an
author of novels about Marvel characters.
He has written four prose novels for Marvel titled
“Domino: Strays,” “Outlaw: Relentless,” “The Siege
Of X-41” and most recently “Squirrel Girl Universe.”
Before Marvel, he wrote a series of two sciencefiction
books about the Black Death plague called
“Quietus” and “Terminus.”
EMPLOYEE PROFILE: TRISTAN PALMGREN
“When I started writing for Marvel, my publisher
gave me a list of characters and asked me to
choose one to write about,” Tristan said, explaining
how he chose to do a story about the character
Domino for his first Marvel book. “With later books,
I’ve had a little more freedom and pushed to get the opportunity
to write Squirrel Girl, my favorite Marvel character.”
Tristan explained that the audience for his books doesn’t have to be
a fan of comics. “I write them for anyone. There are reference jokes
and clues for fans, but I write these to be enjoyable on their own.”
Tristan has wanted to be a writer since he can remember. His first
publication was in 2018 with publisher Angry Robot Books for
“Quietus,” which is an original science-fiction novel.
Its sequel, “Terminus,” hit the shelves
soon after. It was through his connections
with Angry Robot that led him to a
relationship with the publisher Aconyte
Books who works with him to write about
Marvel characters.
It’s not surprising that Tristan’s partner,
Teresa Milbrodt, is also a writer. She is an
associate professor at Roanoke College
and teaches English and creative writing
courses. She has written novels and
short story collections. Her most recent
book, “Instances of Head-Switching,”
is a collection of short stories featuring
sphinxes, unicorns and a grocery store
bagger from Hades.
Tristan has lived in several states across the United States
and has many skills from a variety of job experiences
including retail and working for a medical examiner
documenting autopsies. With intentions of making a home
in this area of Virginia for many years, he is enjoying his
day job and his coworkers at the Salem Residency.
Bedford • Botetourt • Carroll • Craig • Floyd • Franklin • Giles • Henry • Montgomery • Patrick • Pulaski • Roanoke

GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Citizens Express Gratitude for VDOT
Thank you VDOT for taking care of the
visibility issue on State Highway 24 near
Route 635.
-L. Atkinson, Smith Mountain Lake AHQ
Kudos to the crew for repairing the
shoulder of the road on Horse Ridge
Road in Willis. Now I can walk to my
mailbox. Thank you!
-C. Akers, Willis AHQ
Work crews have been very busy on
Keisters Branch Road and Mount Zion
Road in Blacksburg! They have and are
doing a wonderful job, and I want to let
you know how much it is appreciated!
Thank you for the service! Stay Safe!
-L. Shelor, Blacksburg AHQ
Thank you to the crew for cutting the
grass on Martins Creek Road. They did
a great job.
-J. Turman, Southwest County AHQ
Just wanted to say thank you for the
great job your crew did repairing the
potholes on Hurston Road. Thank you
also for getting it taken care of so quickly.
-Anonymous, Dublin AHQ
Thank you VDOT for taking care of the
tree that came down on Beagle Club
Road. They took care of it quickly and
cleaned up the area.
-M. Divers, Smith Mountain Lake AHQ
On Wednesday, I called to report a
downed speed limit sign on Meadow
Point Drive, and it was put up on Friday
with a metal post so it won’t rot like the
wooden one did. This was so very fast.
Thank you!
-D. Bailey, Smith Mountain Lake AHQ
Thank You for repairing the ditch on
Roanoke Street today. My mother and I
are both very happy. Kudos!
-L. Parker, Christiansburg AHQ
I would like to thank VDOT for a good
job on cutting the weeds on the sides of
Cooks Knob and Old Ferrum roads this
year. Thank you all!
-J. Saunders, Callaway AHQ
Thank you for responding so quickly
and putting dust control down on Bear
Creek Road in Laurel Fork. VDOT is
much appreciated!
-T. Mooney, Hillsville AHQ
IT’S CVC TIME OF YEAR
The Commonwealth of
Virginia Campaign (CVC) is
underway for its 25th year
of giving and volunteering.
The Salem District hopes
to raise $8,000 this year.
Here’s how you can help!
1) Donate to a verified charity and then
send your receipt(s) to Kaitlyn Belcher.
Receipts will be accepted for all 2022
donations. Donations must be made
to qualified charities listed on the CVC
website (www.cvcgives.org) to count
towards our goal.
2) Contribute through
the CVC website.
3) Sign up for automatic
payroll deduction.
4) Participate in CVCrelated
fundraisers. For
example, purchase a
VDOT holiday ornament.
Also, be on the lookout
for VDOT winter apparel sales.
Back this year is the option to donate to
the Virginia State Employee Assistance
Fund (VSEAF) which provides grants to
eligible state employees suffering from a
financial crisis.
Contact Kaitlyn for additional information
at kaitlyn.belcher@vdot.virginia.gov or
540-387-5381.
EMPLOYEE UPDATES
New Hires
Regina Gatton, Operator, Burnt Chimney AHQ
Korey Hines, Senior Inspector, Northern
Construction Area
Steven Goode, Operator, Burnt Chimney AHQ
Promotions / Transfers / Relocations
Kimberly Aldridge, Business Administrator,
Salem Residency
Nelson Price, Operator, Christiansburg AHQ
Daniel Simpkins, Operator, Dublin AHQ
Christopher Goad, Crew Leader,
Sydnorsville AHQ
Zachary Webb, Operator, Willis AHQ
Steven Gillespie, Operator, Pearisburg AHQ
Richard Yonn, Supervisor, Big Island AHQ
Ed (Thomas) Hodges, Supervisor,
Montvale AHQ
David Songer, Operator, Christiansburg AHQ
EXPLORING VDOT CAREERS
On November 2, representatives from VDOT
attended the Salem City Schools 5th Grade
Career Fair.
Traffic Engineer Michael Glass is showing
students the actual size of a speed limit sign
on the interstate.
TAB TOPS FOR RONALD McD
The Salem District is collecting soda can
tab tops for the Ronald McDonald House.
This drive will continue until May 6, 2023.
Donations can be given to Kaitlyn Belcher
in the Materials building. Contact Kaitlyn
for additional information at kaitlyn.
belcher@vdot.virginia.gov.
On November 5, the Christiansburg Residency
was the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
Photo taken by Sign Shop Supervisor Kevin Light.
4
Virginia Department of Transportation
Salem District
Office of Communications
731 Harrison Avenue, Salem, VA 24153
nancy.simmons@vdot.virginia.gov
540-387-5236
©2022 Commonwealth of Virginia