12 December 2023

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
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