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Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
Email



Interim Director Bower outlines goals
to continue ITD's momentum

Interim Director Dwight Bower discussed his goals and detailed organizational changes in a meeting held Tuesday with the department’s executive team and division business managers.

Dwight is serving as the department’s interim director for five months while the transportation board begins a search for a permanent director.

Dwight outlined five priorities for the immediate future.

Improving internal communication. “Our employees need to be kept as informed as possible,” Dwight said. “I want to share with them what we know and either verify or put to bed rumors so we can move forward together.”

Establishing credibility with the legislature. “We need to provide our legislators with a consistent and accurate flow of information to enable them to make the best transportation decisions for Idaho.”

Making GARVEE work. “We must complete and communicate our GARVEE plan internally, with the state’s leadership and the public,” Dwight said. The department’s GARVEE administrative function will be expanded. “I asked GARVEE Administrator Nestor Fernandez to identify the team members and resources he needs to make this effort a shining example of how we can respond to the transportation needs of Idaho,” Dwight said.

Funding Idaho’s transportation needs. “The message from the Forum on Transportation Investment needs to be brought to the forefront,” Dwight said. “Construction costs have soared more than 30 percent over the last two years. Our revenues are stagnant and there have been no increases in the fuel tax or vehicle registration fees for more than a decade. This is all combining to create a funding crisis while demand on the transportation system continues to grow at an unprecedented rate in Idaho.”

Restructuring the organization. “We need to structure the organization to meet both present and future demands in a rapidly changing environment,” Dwight said. “We can then build working relationships based on mutual trust and help each other get it right.” Dwight announced the following organizational changes:

• Charlie Rountree, the department’s Deputy Director and Administrator for the Division of Planning, announced his retirement effective Sept. 22. Charlie began his career with ITD in 1974. He served as the Administrator for the Division of Planning since 1998 and in the dual role of Deputy Director for the past three years.

The process to fill the Division of Planning’s administrator position will begin in mid-September.

• Pam Lowe is the department’s new Deputy Director. She will begin Thursday, Sept. 7. Pam served as District 3 Engineer and as the Administrator for the Division of Motor Vehicles.

She will oversee the department’s day-to-day activities; supervise the Human Resources Section and both the internal and external civil rights functions of the department. She will also lead the team that develops the department’s legislative and budget presentations.

“By having our human resource and civil rights functions report to our deputy director, we are providing employees access to the highest level of the department, “ Dwight said.

• An administrator for the Division of Motor Vehicles will be named by the end of September. Alan Frew has been the acting administrator for the past five months.

• The department will examine the possible advantages and efficiencies that might be achieved by combining programming and budget functions.

Published 9-6-06