2012 Maintenance Person of the Year
Lenz recognized for ingenuity, dedication
When it comes to keeping the wheels turning on ITD’s vehicle fleet in District 1, Pete Lenz is the critical first gear. And sometimes the last gear. He is the district’s lone surviving mechanic, the result of the district’s move to become more efficient.
“The day-to-day repair needs to keep the District 1 fleet on the road are more than enough to keep one efficient employee busy,” said his peers who nominated Lenz as the Maintenance Person of the Year. He will claim that title next week during the Idaho Transportation Board meeting in Boise.
Lenz has used his ingenuity and inventive talents to improve the operational efficiency and the skill level of colleagues in the district while saving taxpayer dollars in the process, according to his nomination letter.
A 31-year ITD employee, he was instrumental in making the district’s equipment more efficient and operator-friendly.
“By re-engineering wiring, hydraulic plumbing on plows and sanders, and by relocating components for better performance and extended life, Lenz has saved the department hundreds of thousand dollars throughout his career.”
He is known for his diagnostics and trouble-shooting abilities and for sharing that expertise with co-workers.
“Since most of our equipment is somewhat specialized, the skills needed to troubleshoot the equipment only comes with years of experience. Pete is our expert when working on wiring, lighting and new installation. Much of the current lighting standard we use on all new equipment statewide is due to successful modifications made in the District 1 shop over the years.”
Also a proficient equipment operator, Lenz teaches the proper operation and maintenance of new equipment to the operations staff. He “fully understands the critical nature of this effort to extend the life of the department’s equipment.”
Lenz organized a class in preventive maintenance that covers clutch and clutch brakes, sander computer control, and the ABS (anti-lock brake) and traction control systems. He also is familiar with the 2009/2010 Mack controllers and helps train operators on the safe use and maintenance of the hydraulic systems.
Perhaps of equal importance, the 2012 Maintenance Person of the Year willingly accepted new responsibilities as the shop crew dwindled.
“He is always positive and keeps things moving and fun. He’ll start early and work whatever hours it takes to keep our equipment in service. He is an encouragement to the rest of the crew and a credit to his craft.”
His colleagues say Lenz is well respected and well liked, which motivates them to adopt his high productivity workload.
“He is humble, easy going and totally reliable. His vehicle repair, shop leadership and training skill is of very high quality.”
Lenz’s professional qualities have gained the attention of local vendors and mechanics shops, some of which have attempted to lure him away from the district.
“It is a great benefit to ITD and the taxpayers that Lenz prefers to work for the state of Idaho,” his colleagues wrote.
Published 10-12-2012