Innovation Steward Profile: D6’s Dalton Rice

The new Innovation Steward in District 6, Dalton Rice, is the district’s Fleet Manager. He takes the place of former steward for the district, Jet Johnstone. Rice worked out of the Challis maintenance shed from 2011 until coming to the D6 main building in Rigby last July. He became an Innovation Steward in January.

“I can't thank Jet enough for helping me while I am also fairly new to my current job for D6 after coming from maintenance for nine years,” explained Rice. “Transitioning into a new role and the office life has been fun, but not without its challenges.”

Prior to moving into the Fleet Manager position, Rice helped in almost every aspect of ITD operations, from leading the work out in the maintenance area, to helping design/construction on projects, to helping establish the district’s paint crew. He finally decided to throw his hat in the ring and go for the Rigby position, and it is that same spirit of embracing new challenges that was the catalyst for him.

“I have yet to really play a big part in the innovation process, but I look forward to any and all of the district’s innovations yet to come,” Rice added. “One of the main reasons I wanted to help with innovation is that I’ve seen it evolve to become an important part of what we do daily.”

But it hasn’t always been that way, Rice said.

“I was one of the guys who participated early in the infancy, and I submitted ideas that seemed to go nowhere. But now, they get submitted and the potential of the idea really helps them rise to the top. Stewards have a lot to do with that.”    

Published 03-20-20