Crew members honored as ‘Roads Scholars’ and ‘Road Masters’
Graduates of KYTC professional development program
FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. (Dec. 22, 2016) – Nineteen Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 maintenance professionals are new graduates of the state’s prestigious "Road Master" and "Roads Scholar" training programs.
The two professional development programs are coordinated by the Kentucky Transportation Center’s Technology Transfer Program at the University of Kentucky, and are specifically designed to teach techniques and processes necessary for maintaining roadways, including classes on concrete technology, pavement science, communications and leadership.
Eleven state highway District 9 employees earned Road Masters degrees, the second step in the training programs, including:
- Keith Conley, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Greenup County maintenance, a 16-year state employee
- Tim Felty, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Greenup County maintenance, a 16-year state employee
- Bill Manis, Highway Equipment Operator IV, of Greenup County maintenance, a 17-year state employee
- Mark Florence, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Fleming County maintenance, an nine-year state employee
- Bryon Mitchell, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Fleming County maintenance, a seven-year state employee
- Timmy Sparks, Highway Equipment Operator III, of the Fleming County traffic crew, a seven-year state employee
- Michael Hickerson, Highway Equipment Operator IV, of Mason County maintenance, an eight-year state employee
- Tommy Walker, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Lewis County maintenance, a seven-year state employee
- Ronnie Thompson, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Rowan County maintenance, a six-year state employee
- Jamie Prewitt, Highway Equipment Operator IV, of Elliott County maintenance, a 14-year state employee
- John Skaggs, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Elliott County maintenance, a 16-year state employee
Eight state highway District 9 employees earned Roads Scholars degrees, the first step in the training programs, including:
- Travis Boling, Auto Tech I, of Fleming County maintenance, a five-year state employee
- Derrick Crouch, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Bath County maintenance, a four-year state employee
- Sam Purvis, Highway Equipment Operator II, of Bath County maintenance, a four-year state employee
- Kristie Gifford, former Highway Equipment Operator II in Nicholas County and now District Roadside Coordinator in Flemingsburg, a four-year state employee
- Bobby Ranshaw, Highway Equipment Operator III, of Carter County maintenance, a seven-year state employee
- Wayne Conway, Highway Equipment Operator IV, of Rowan County maintenance, an 18-year state employee
- Chucky Hunt, Highway Equipment Operator II, of Mason County maintenance, a four-year state employee
- Kirby Shugars, former Highway Equipment Operator II in Mason County and now a bridge inspector, a six-year state employee
Through professional development programs like Roads Scholar and Road Master, Transportation Cabinet employees are better equipped to handle highway maintenance challenges more effectively.
The combined Roads Scholar and Road Master programs total 96 training hours and serve individuals from local and state transportation agencies as well as private businesses. Recent graduates join more than 3,000 Roads Scholars and 2,000 Road Masters who have already completed the programs.
More information on the Technology Transfer Program or the Roads Scholar or Road Master training series can be found online at www.kyt2.com.
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