Paris, Texas -- The Paris District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) held its 29th annual safety banquet on February 5th at the Love Civic Center in Paris. A total of 195 Paris District employees were recognized by TxDOT for their accomplishments in driving and working safely without accidents or injuries.
The Boy Scouts of Troop 2 in Paris honored the group with the posting of the colors and the pledge to the flags, while Elizabeth Hines, Chelsey Kelley and Kim Nichols led everyone in the singing of our National Anthem. Special guest and keynote speaker at the banquet was the Deputy Executive Director and Chief Engineer of TxDOT, John Barton. He congratulated the group on their accomplishments and urged them to continue to strive toward zero accidents and injuries.
Occupational Safety Division Director Jerral Wyer also encouraged the employees to work toward a goal of zero accidents and injuries while congratulating them on their 2012 record.
TxDOT also presented the 2012 "Robert S. Thornburrow Employee of the Year Award" to Renee Coston, Paris District Operations. The "Robert S. Thornburrow Employee of the Year Award" was established to recognize a Paris District employee in an area engineering office or district headquarters support office and is named for Robert Thornburrow who was the Paris District Engineer from June 1975 to July 1981.
The 2012 "Bobby L. Myers Employee of the Year Award" went to Paul Helms, Paris Maintenance Office. The "Bobby L. Myers Employee of the Year Award" was established to recognize a Paris District employee in a maintenance office, special maintenance crew or signal/radio shop and is named for Bob Myers who was the Paris District Engineer from June 1987 to September 1993.
In addition, TxDOT awarded the Safety Point of Contact (SPOC) of the year to Jennifer Medders, Greenville Area Office. This is to recognize employees who represent outstanding service to promote safety in the workplace.
The TxDOT employees recognized at the banquet work daily in dangerous environments to perform their duties without accidents or injuries. Employees from the Bonham and Sherman areas were recognized.
Bonham Maintenance Section employees receiving “Safe Operators” awards are Marty Charles (10 yrs), Jason Chennault (16 yrs), Corinna Clark (11 yrs), Kent Hall (16 yrs), Jason Hewitt (7 yrs), Jimmy Hewitt (4 yrs), Tracy Lackey (8 yrs), Joe Nichols (22 yrs), John Nichols (12 yrs), Billy Pannell (17 yrs), Thomas Pearson (6 yrs), Gary Rater (23 yrs), Mark Titsworth (7 yrs), Kelly Titsworth (13 yrs) and Michael Underwood (8 yrs).
Bonham Maintenance Section employees receiving “No Injury” awards are Marty G. Charles (11 yrs), Jason L. Chennault (16 yrs), Corinna Clark (11 yrs), Kent Hall (16 yrs), Jason Hewitt (11 yrs), Jimmy Hewitt (2 yrs), Tracy Lackey (8 yrs), Joe Nichols (22 yrs), John Nichols (13 yrs), Billy Pannell (18 yrs), Thomas Pearson (6 yrs), Gary Rater (23 yrs), Kelly Titsworth (13 yrs), Mark Titsworth (7 yrs) and Michael Underwood (1 yr).
Sherman Maintenance Section employees receiving “Safe Operator” awards are Duane Compton (8 yrs), Robert L. Cook, III (5 yrs), Jeff Daniels (15 yrs), Jodie Doran (6 yrs), George Erwin (10 yrs), Michael Faulks (10 yrs), William Fesperman (14 yrs), Carlos Gilstrap (14 yrs), Steven Hughes (10 yrs), Wayne Kelso (15 yrs), Tommy Langford (15 yrs), Jimmy McBrayer (16 yrs), Jason Mendez (9 yrs), Barry Nance (8 yrs), Jimmy Phelps, Jr. (6 yrs), Susan Robinson (16 yrs), Franklin Shearin (17 yrs), Ralph Vannoy (11 yrs), John Ward (24 yrs) and Glen Williams (4 yrs).
Sherman Maintenance Section employees receiving “No Injury” awards are Duane Compton (9 yrs), Robert L. Cook, III (5 yrs), Jeff Daniels (15 yrs), Jodie Doran (6 yrs), George Erwin (9 yrs), Michael Faulks (11 yrs), William Fesperman (12 yrs), Carlos Gilstrap (16 yrs), Wayne Kelso (16 yrs), Tommy Langford (16 yrs), Jimmy McBrayer (15 yrs), Jason Mendez (9 yrs), Barry Nance (8 yrs), Jimmy Phelps, Jr. (6 yrs), Susan Robinson (16 yrs), Franklin Shearin (16 yrs), Ralph Vannoy (10 yrs), John Ward (24 yrs) and Glen Williams (4 yrs).
Sherman Area Engineering Section employees receiving “Safe Operator” awards are Mark Abernathy (11 yrs), Vickie Coplin (15 yrs), Jeffrey Galewaler (6 yrs), Joshua Golleher (7 yrs), Donald Hatch (7 yrs), Noel Paramanantham (3 yrs), Felton Phillips (22 yrs), Kevin Rice (6 yrs), Kenneth Riddle (8 yrs), and David Selman (21 yrs).
Sherman Area Engineering Section employees receiving “No Injury” awards are Sherman Area Engineering Section employees receiving “Safe Operator” awards are Mark Abernathy (11 yrs), Vickie Coplin (13 yrs), Jeffrey Galewaler (6 yrs), Joshua Golleher (6 yrs), Donald Hatch (7 yrs), Felton Phillips (24 yrs), Kevin Rice (6 yrs) and Kenneth Riddle (8 yrs).