Page 25 - JanFeb2022 Vol 39 No 6

Engineering Department when I started started with the City of Alcoa. It was one the same issues. Having a great network
at the city in 2017. I recently switched to of the first professional organizations I of support within TCAPWA has made
become a department head in July and signed up with when I started working it easy to pick up the phone and discuss
now reside in the Development Services here. Since then, I have been a pretty things regarding pavement management,
Department. I would say since I started in active member and now I have the title of traffic signals, maintenance contracts,
Public Works at the onset of my career, it Assistant Treasurer for TCAPWA. I will etc. Especially coming out of a season of
has always been a nice fit. I still appreciate take over responsibilities when Kenny isolation, it makes it even more evident
how closely I work with the department Wiggins retires from the board, but I how “it takes a village” mentality in all
in my current role. I have worked a few am hopeful that is not any time soon as that we do. I also really appreciate how
different places including TDOT, NC he does an amazing job as Treasurer. I APWA brings us all together within our
DOT and a few consulting firms. The last have had the pleasure of attending three own cities. It isn’t every day that I get
consulting firm experience was civil site TCAPWA conferences and supporting to spend time with and encourage the
and roadway design work. Prior to that our (Equipment Rodeo) crews as they equipment operators. I appreciate the
I worked with an expert witnessing and competed (and most recently took home opportunity to do so, as our cities would
construction litigation firm. I even took the trophy in the Equipment Rodeo!) not be standing without their support.
some accident reconstruction classes. How does Alcoa support your work in APWA? Outside of work, I spend a lot of time
When my husband and I were stationed in The City of Alcoa is very supportive of with our family and the various kids’
Oklahoma for his Air Force pilot training, all professional organizations. They are activities. Our oldest daughter, Maddy is
I worked at a small environmental civil especially encouraging of APWA. This 14 and into horseback riding and lacrosse.
firm. I met with farmers in Nebraska, community provides so much feedback Our middle child Baker is 11 and he runs
Kansas and Oklahoma to help them and support that we all need to help us do cross country, plays basketball and year-
work out solutions to reuse their animal our jobs better. round baseball. Our youngest son, Brody,
wastes and keep the waterways clean is 9 and plays soccer and basketball. If
in the process. All of these experiences How have you been able to transfer your there is any free time left after running the
have made me who I am today in the experience from APWA to your work in your roads with these three, we enjoy hiking,
profession, and I loved the opportunities City or vice versa, how have you been able to camping, being outside, going for walks
they provided along the way. take your experiences from your City to the and traveling. We have three crazy dogs
rest of the APWA community? that keep us busy as well. There is never a
How did you find out about APWA, and get I think building community and morale
involved initially? When did you join APWA? among cities is so important. We all work dull moment between a busy work life and
I found out about APWA when I on many of the same things and deal with home life.

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