12 December 2023

Salem District Newsletter
Volume 17 Issue 12
December 2023
What’s Inside
• Big Island Crew Takes
Action During Brush Fire
• Employee Profile:
David Hutchens
• Mike Sharkady Is VDOT’s
First National Road
Safety Champion
• MLK, Jr. Charity
Campaign Kicks Off
January 11
Hanging Rock AHQ crew members Holly Nelson (left), Travis Epperly (back), and Billy
Law remove leaves on Summit Ridge Road in Roanoke County.
BIG ISLAND AREA HEADQUARTERS CREW PREVENTS
LOSS OF HOMES IN LYNCHBURG BRUSH FIRE
VDOT crew members from Big Island
Area Headquarters in Bedford County
are seen as heroes after preventing the
destruction of homes during a recent
fire.
On November 28, the Big Island VDOT
crew happened upon a brush fire near
the intersection of Meadow Ridge
Drive and Walnut Hollow Road in
Lynchburg after completing a shoulder
and ditching operation in the area.
Motivated by empathy, Jeff Sowards
and Dakota Carter took action to
remove leaves and brush, creating a
fire line – a strategy used by firefighters
to control a fire’s progression. “I know
if it was my house, I’d want somebody
to step in,” Jeff said.
TheExtraMile
Big Island AHQ crew members work to control a
brush fire near the intersection of Meadow Ridge
Drive and Walnut Hollow Road in Lynchburg.
A few minutes later, the rest of the
VDOT crew arrived and joined the effort. “It was hard to predict,” said crew
member Troy Cocke. “The wind would blow and change the fire’s direction. We
were trying to rake leaves away from the buildings.”
cont. pg. 2
GIVE THE GIFT
OF MENTORSHIP
By Ken King, P.E.
Ken.King@VDOT.virginia.gov
‘Tis the
season for
celebrating
the joy of
the holidays
and coming
together
with friends
and family. It’s a time not
just for festivities but also for
extending acts of kindness
to those in need. This year, I
encourage you to contemplate
a special and meaningful gift:
the gift of mentorship.
Throughout our journeys,
we’ve all been fortunate
to have mentors—whether
they were parents, teachers,
coaches or colleagues. If you
ask accomplished professionals
about their successes, you will
cont. pg. 2
Bedford • Botetourt • Carroll • Craig • Floyd • Franklin • Giles • Henry • Montgomery • Patrick • Pulaski • Roanoke 1

KING cont.
likely discover mentorship is
a common theme. Individuals
consistently attribute their
achievements and their growth
to those who played pivotal
roles in their lives.
Reflecting on my own path,
in addition to the unwavering
support of my family, I recall
with gratitude the guidance
I received from bosses and
colleagues who significantly
shaped my development. They
shared invaluable insights,
broadened my horizons and
fostered a deeper understanding
of my work and interactions.
Mentorship is a two-way
street that enriches both the
mentor and mentee. We’ve
witnessed instances where
younger employees have helped
older colleagues grasp new
technologies, while seasoned
employees have imparted a
deeper understanding of VDOT
to their younger counterparts.
Each of you possesses
experiences and skills that
can greatly benefit others,
so I invite you to consider
sharing the invaluable gift
of mentorship—a gift that
creates a ripple effect of
positive change. If you’re
interested in learning more
about the opportunities
available, reach out to me,
Guy DeMarco or others in
Human Resources.
Thank you for all your
contributions that have
made Salem District so
successful this year. I wish
you a joyous holiday
season that is filled with
well-deserved rest and
quality time with friends
and family. Happy
Holidays!
– Ken
BRUSH FIRE...CONT’D
Big Island AHQ crew members pose for a photo following their efforts to control the fire in Lynchburg. Pictured
left to right are Dakota Carter, Jeff Sowards, Gregory Fortune, Freddie Millner, Joshua Overstreet and Troy Cocke.
The fire had sparked after a dead
ash tree fell and struck powerlines.
Fueled by dry, gusty weather
conditions, it quickly burned about
an acre of land and then spread
rapidly in the path of three nearby
homes.
Unknown to the crew at the time,
it would be 20 minutes before the
fire department arrived. The closest
department in the area, Boonsboro
Fire and Rescue Company, was
already assisting with a 40-acre
brush fire in Forest.
Had the VDOT crew not stepped in,
those houses would have burned
to the ground said Raven Sampson,
a local resident who witnessed the
effort.
After the fire department arrived, the
VDOT crew stayed on scene to help
in any way they could, continuing to
move leaves away from the homes.
When asked what they thought
about being called heroes, crew
members responded with humility
and insisted they were just doing
what they hoped someone would do
for them.
“They might not think they’re heroes,
but I think they are,” said Bedford
Residency Maintenance Operations
Manager Brad Radford. “They could
have stopped at calling 911, but
they went above and beyond their
duties to help those citizens keep
their homes.”
2
Bedford • Botetourt • Carroll • Craig • Floyd • Franklin • Giles • Henry • Montgomery • Patrick • Pulaski • Roanoke

Peters Creek AHQ recently hosted a 4-day Gradall
operation course. Pictured left to right are Instructor
Bobby Perdue, Andre Wimbush, Brian Mabe, Wayne
Collins, Bradley Holt, Nick Martin and Jason Bell.
Operations recently installed stop bars and new
cameras at the intersection of Route 114 and Prices
Fork Road in Montgomery County.
A district employee is the first at
VDOT to complete a new, nationally
recognized certificate in road safety.
District Work Zone Safety Coordinator
Mike Sharkady is one of only 30
individuals in the nation to complete
a National Road Safety Champion
Program (RSCP) level 1 certificate.
“It’s a big commitment, but it’s worth
it,” Mike said. “I would recommend it
for anyone, but especially for people
who are coming to VDOT through the
EDGE program or interns who are trying
to gain knowledge.”
The RSCP is a 14-week course that is
designed to build a knowledgeable,
safety-minded workforce, responsible
for operating, maintaining and
designing local roads. Champions who
complete the program are motivated
to implement safety improvements that
reduce fatalities and serious injuries
on rural and local roadways. Classes
are small groups, held virtually with
live instruction, with participation and
discussion highly encouraged.
Mike’s classes saw professionals
EMPLOYEE PROFILE: DAVID HUTCHENS
When Martinsville Area
Headquarters Superintendent
David Hutchens started his
career at VDOT at the age of
18, he never expected to still
be working here today. “I was
one of those guys who just
wanted to do his job and retire
as soon as I could,” he said.
But after 47 years, David is still
going strong.
David has worked in a variety of roles in
different locations over the years and said
keeping an open mind has helped him
grow and learn from others. “So many
different people have helped me along the
way in my career,” he shared.
David said he especially gained perspective
after becoming a supervisor. “When you
start making those decisions, you look
at things differently. I think that helped
MIKE SHARKADY IS VDOT’S FIRST NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY CHAMPION
Instructor Walt Catlett (left) presents a certificate to
District Work Zone Safety Coordinator Mike Sharkady.
from around Virginia and other states
including one person from the Midwest
who works with tribal lands. He said
the format of the program allows for
collaborative learning from others
of different professions who may
have unique perspectives. “That’s
the best part,” Mike said. “You get
to understand each other’s thought
processes. You can see lightbulbs going
off.”
Participants choose one of four
pathways that offer career-focused
classes in addition to seven core
modules required for each pathway.
Those pathways are Maintenance and
Construction, Planning and Engineering,
me more than anything. You
realize the responsibility when
it’s your call.”
Some of his most memorable
work at VDOT has included
helping to coordinate various
operations for Martinsville
Speedway races. “The
collaboration and helpfulness
of every part of that team has been
wonderful to experience,” he said.
An athlete all his life, David continues to
be active outside of his work at VDOT. He
played traveling softball for 30 years as
an outfielder and now enjoys golfing and
working out. David celebrated the addition
of a grandchild to his family just a few
weeks ago, and he is looking forward to
traveling and spending more time with his
family after retirement – whenever that
may be.
Public Health, and Law Enforcement.
The Public Health and Law Enforcement
pathways are currently in development,
and Mike said he plans to complete all
four.
“As a work zone safety coordinator,
I work with everyone out in the
field whether they are part of law
enforcement, public safety or something
else,” he said. “It will give me good
insight into communicating with them
and help me complete my job duties.”
The RSCP is offered through the
Transportation Training Academy (TTA)
at the University of Virginia which
has served as the Local Technical
Assistance Program (LTAP) for the
Commonwealth of Virginia since 2006.
Employees interested in the RSCP
should coordinate with their supervisors
as classes may be scheduled during
working hours. Registration must be
completed through VDOT University
and classes can be found in the course
catalog by searching keyword “RSCP.”
For more information, contact Guy
DeMarco at guy.demarco@vdot.
virginia.gov.
Bedford • Botetourt • Carroll • Craig • Floyd • Franklin • Giles • Henry • Montgomery • Patrick • Pulaski • Roanoke
3

MLK, JR. DAY CHARITY CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF JANUARY 11
“The time is always right to do what is right.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Horsepasture AHQ and Martinsville Shop employees
celebrated as winners of the 2023 dry-run competition.
SALEM DISTRICT SAFETY
CALENDAR WINNERS
The Civil Rights Division will soon kick off this year’s Martin Luther King (MLK)
Jr. Day charity campaign. The month-long campaign will begin January 11 with
a virtual gathering from 9 to 10 a.m. featuring activities and a representative of
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia.
This year’s campaign is inspired by Dr. King’s quote, “Life’s most persistent and
urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”
Salem District Civil Rights Manager Lori Law encourages everyone to spread
kindness. Each positive act makes a difference for someone; how will you
impact someone’s life today and be remembered?
The district and residencies have each chosen a charity to support this year
as part of the campaign. Those charities and corresponding MLK, Jr. Day
coordinators are listed below.
Sarah Ray – Slips, Trips, Falls Safety (January 2024)
Gary Bowman – Fall Protection Safety (May 2024)
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Citizens Express Gratitude for VDOT
Great Job on Mercer Road in Rich Creek.
Thank you!
– R. Shires, Pearisburg AHQ
Two VDOT workers started to rake leaves
away from a house that was about to catch
fire in Lynchburg. I commend them for going
out of their way to help when they didn’t
have to!
– R. Sampson, Big Island AHQ
4
JAN
01
NEW YEAR’S DAY
CLOSED
• Salem District Complex: Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Southwest Virginia – Brianna Hatcher, 540-387-5552
• Christiansburg Residency: New River Community Action –
Susan Jarrells, 540-381-7201
• Martinsville Residency, Henry/Patrick Counties: The Warming Center
of Martinsville – Michelle Carter, 276-627-1510
• Martinsville Residency, Carroll County: Willing Partners –
Michelle Carter, 276-627-1510
• Bedford Residency: Ronald McDonald House –
Allison Glass, 540-682-7004
• Salem Residency: Feeding Southwest Virginia –
Tristan Palmgren, 540-387-5497
• Southwest Regional Operations: Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Southwest Virginia – Ann Blevins, 540-375-0120
Employees are also encouraged to use their Community Service Leave towards
a “Day of Service.” If anyone has volunteered throughout the year, please
share these highlights with Civil Rights Assistant Manager Brianna Hatcher at
brianna.hatcher@vdot.virginia.gov.
New Hires
Jerry Gallimore, Operator, Martinsville AHQ
Allison Glass, Administrative Assistant,
Bedford Residency
Matthew Caldwell, Operator, Smith
Mountain Lake AHQ
Marty Wright, Supervisor, Montvale AHQ
Jaalen Hurt, Operator, New London AHQ
Greg Keller, Operator, Sydnorsville AHQ
Deyshaun Dillard, Laborer, Burnt Chimney
AHQ
EMPLOYEE UPDATES
Virginia Department of Transportation
Salem District
Office of Communications
731 Harrison Avenue, Salem, VA 24153
jeremy.bartlett@vdot.virginia.gov
540-387-5250
©2023 Commonwealth of Virginia
Nathan Reynolds, Mechanic, Salem Shop
Mark Wade, Operator, New Castle AHQ
Kenneth Tingler, Laborer, Eagle Rock AHQ
Transfers
Cory Gray, Operator, Smith Mountain Lake
AHQ
Wyatt McPherson, Operator, Salem Bridge
JAN
15
MLK DAY
CLOSED