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Public Transportation team excels in absence of leader

The four ladies in the Public Transportation Office not only kept the ship afloat, they increased momentum during a six-month absence at the helm. Rachel Pallister, Kim McGourty, Juanita Risch and Shauna Miller didn’t just maintain the standard— they excelled.

Pictured at left, clockwise from top roght: Pallister, McGourty, Miller and Risch.

Between the time former manager Mark Bathrick left in early January for a job in Washington, D.C., and the hiring of Jason Brown as the new manager May 15, the four oversaw major events in the PT office.

Three members were appointed to the Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) — two of the three were reappointed and one was a new appointment. They also shaped and distributed a statewide survey that will bethe foundation of a strategic plan to guide the future actions of the office, and successfully navigated the turbulent waters of project selection.

“The staff in Public Transportation did an awesome job and carried the program very nicely while they were without a manager,” said ITD Chief Deputy Scott Stokes. “They did a remarkable job of keeping the ball rolling and moving the business forward.”

Stokes also wanted to recognize the work of Blake Rindlisbacher and Monica Crider, who helped oversee PT during the transition.

Stokes specifically mentioned an upcoming PTAC meeting not too long ago where there would be significant political issues on the table relating to projects and funding.

“Kim and Rachel came to my office asking for a few ideas, then they took on that challenge. That kind of initiative is impressive,” he said. “In the last two months, Rachel has made three presentations to the board, and did so flawlessly”.

“All of them they have done a great job,” said Rindlisbacher. “Both Monica and I have slipped into PTAC meetings and they have handled them very well. In addition, they have kept the funding applications going and moved the process along for PTAC member vacancies.”

“This has been an outstanding example of a healthy positive culture where employees recognize what needs to get done, and then they get it done. We recognize it and appreciate it,” Stokes added.

Miller also advanced a consent board item extending a scenic byway during this same time period.