PARIS, TX - The Paris District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) held its 24th annual safety banquet on February 20 at the Love Civic Center in Paris. A total of 232 Paris District employees were recognized by TxDOT for their accomplishments in driving and working safely without accidents or injuries.

Special guest at the banquet was Vicki Haydon, Director of Hazardous Materials and Automation for the Occupational Safety Division in Austin. She congratulated the group on their accomplishments and urged them to continue to strive toward zero accidents and injuries. Paris District Engineer Bobby G. Littlefield, Jr. also encouraged the employees to work toward a goal of zero accidents and injuries while congratulating them on the FY 2007 record.

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 "No Injury" awards are Carl Bagley (1 yr), Marty G. Charles (6 yrs), Jason L. Chennault (11 yrs), William F. Englutt (18 yrs), Kent Hall (11 yrs), Jason Hewitt (6 yrs), Tracy Lackey (3 yrs), Randel Lee (1 yr), Joe Nichols (17 yrs), John Nichols (8 yrs), Donald Nolen (37 yrs), Billy Pannell (13 yrs), Thomas Pearson (1 yr), Gary Rater (18 yrs), Kelly Titsworth (8 yrs), Mark Titsworth (2 yrs), Michael Underwood (3 yrs) and Stan Waldrop (1 yr).

Sherman Maintenance Section employees receiving "Safe Operator" awards are Edward Bingham (5 yrs), Paul Burnett (1 yr), Duane Compton (5 yrs), George Erwin (5 yrs), Michael Faulks (6 yrs), William Fesperman (9 yrs), Delbert Gann (19 yrs), Darren Hester (4 yrs), Steven Hughes (5 yrs), Wayne Kelso, Jr. (10 yrs), Tommy Langford (10 yrs), Carl Lawson(9 yrs), Raymond Martin (26 yrs), Jimmy McBrayer (11 yrs), Billy Meador (10 yrs), Jason Mendez (4 yrs), Barry Nance (3 yrs), Jimmy Phelps, Jr. (1 yr), Franklin Shearin (12 yrs), Joe Strickland (19 yrs), Ralph Vannoy (6 yrs), John Ward (19 yrs), Clifton Wright (1 yr) and Erbin Wright (2 yrs).

Sherman Maintenance Section employees receiving "No Injury" awards are Edward Bingham (7 yrs), Paul Burnett (5 yrs), Duane Compton (5 yrs), Jeffery Daniels (11 yrs), George Erwin (4 yrs), Michael Faulks (6 yrs), William Fesperman (8 yrs), Delbert Gann (23 yrs), Darren Hester (3 yrs), Steven Hughes (6 yrs), Wayne Kelso, Jr (11 yrs), Tommy Langford (11 yrs), Carl Lawson (9 yrs), Raymond Martin (27 yrs), Jimmy McBrayer (11 yrs), Billy Meador (14 yrs), Jason Mendez (4 yrs), Jimmy Phelps, Jr. (1 yr), Franklin Shearin (11 yrs), Joe Strickland (24 yrs), Jeffrey Taylor (3 yrs), Ralph Vannoy (7 yrs), John Ward (19 yrs), and Erbin Wright (2 yrs).

Sherman Area Engineering Section employees receiving "Safe Operator" awards are Mark Abernathy (6 yrs), Louis Cartwright (16 yrs), Corinna Clark (6 yrs), William Duty (2 yrs), Ali Esmaili-Doki (26 yrs), Carlos Gilstrap (9yrs), Joshua Golleher (2 yrs), Donald Hatch (2 yrs), James Hopkins, Jr. (3 yrs), David Kirby (7 yrs), Elijah Palmer, Jr, (21 yrs), Felton Phillips (17 yrs), Susan Pittman (11 yrs), Kevin Rice (1 yr.), and Kenneth Riddle (3 yr).

Sherman Area Engineering Section employees receiving "No Injury" awards are Mark Abernathy (6 yrs), Louis Cartwright (21 yrs), Corinna Clark (6 yrs), William Duty (2 yrs), Ali Esmaili-Doki (26 yrs), Carlos Gilstrap (11 yrs), Joshua Golleher (2 yrs), Donald Hatch (2 yrs), James Hopkins, Jr. (3 yrs), David Kirby (8 yrs), Elijah Palmer, Jr. (26 yrs), Felton Phillips (19 yrs), Susan Pittman (11 yrs), Kevin Rice (1 yr), and Kenneth Riddle (3 yr).