Innovation Steward Profile:
Ross Converse (Bud Bar innovator) serves as D2 steward

Ross “Bud Bar” Converse serves as the D2 innovation steward, which is only fitting after his innovation won the safety category in ITD’s Best of the Best in 2018.

It was a simple idea that “turned into something much bigger” after Don Nickles, Dave Vance and Tim Frisbey made a video to promote it.

“If it saves anyone from hurting themselves with a jammed tailgate, it was all worth it,” Converse said.

Seeing ideas turn into innovations that make others’ jobs easier is the main reason Converse became a steward.

Converse officially filled Roy Hill’s former role as a steward last fall, but he was helping out before then as a foreman of the Moscow/Potlatch areas.

He now spends his time assisting the operations engineer by coordinating traffic services activities, managing inventory, delivering training and more recently, becoming the district super user for the cost-efficiency tool.

That leaves little time to volunteer as a steward, but Converse enjoys his extra role.

“It makes a person feel good when you can help your co-workers,” Converse said.

Here’s a list of all of the innovation stewards across the state who stand ready to help:

DMV - Beth Thompson
Administration - Angela Monson
Aeronautics & Public Transportation - Shauna Miller
Highways - Vicky Calderon & Eric Dahlinger
D1 - Junior Williams
D2 - Bud Converse
D3 - Lori Copeland
D4 - DJ Price
D5 - Evan Snow
D6 - Jet Johnstone

 

Published 12-20-19