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Helen Jones (center) is flanked by Debra Gravett, ETS Tech. Senior and Jeff Carpenter, ETS Service Center Manager, at the retirement luncheon Aug. 3.

Jones retirement from ITD marks end of family era

Helen Jones walked away from ITD in early August after nearly three decades, taking with her not only the legacy she herself had left us, but also a half century of the Ostrogorsky family name.

Helen Ostrogorsky Jones was the ETS Service Desk Team Leader for the department at the time of her retirement, after 28 years with ITD. Her father, William Ostrogorsky Jr., worked for ITD in the Boise branch for more than three decades. Her grandfather, William Sr., worked for ITD when the offices were on Main Street in the 1950s and ‘60s.

“Helen was one of the best team leaders/supervisors we’ve had,” said ETS Service Center Manager Jeff Carpenter. “With her time and experience at ITD, she was the best go-to person for information and procedures.”

“When she tasked you with a project or job, she gave you the room to do it. Micro-managing was not in her nature. Helen was a very happy and helpful person and she was fabulous to work with every day. “

The photo above shows William Sr. at his desk at the old Main Street office around 1960, around the time of his retirement. Note the old Idaho Highway News on his desk.