Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workplace Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ODOT honors retiring District 5 engineer Brent Almquist and presents statewide safety awards
Summary
ODOT presented a commemorative Route 66 brick to retiring District 5 engineer Brent Almquist after 42 years of service and presented district and division safety awards, including the Governor’s Safety Excellence Award to District 6.
The Transportation Commission recognized District 5 engineer Brent Almquist for 42 years of service to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and presented statewide safety awards to maintenance crews, divisions and districts.
Retirement recognition: Director Gatz presented Almquist with a commemorative Route 66 brick and praised his “thoroughness, professionalism, and dedication.” Almquist thanked colleagues and named several longtime coworkers; he said he looks forward to spending more time with family and to personal projects.
Safety awards: ODOT presented three categories of safety awards — the Director’s Safety Excellence Award (one crew per district), the Progressive Excellence Award, and the Governor’s Safety Excellence Award. District-level winners included: - District 1: Cherokee County maintenance crew (Director’s Safety Excellence) - District 2: McCurtain County maintenance crew - District 3: Johnson County maintenance crew - District 4: Oklahoma City residency - District 5: Sayre Maintenance Yard - District 6: division-wide maintenance crew - District 7: Murray County maintenance yard - District 8: Special Maintenance Crew D Crew - Central office award: Bridge Division (accepted on their behalf)
ODOT presented the Progressive Excellence Award to District 5. The Governor’s Safety Excellence Award — recognizing the district with the best overall safety record — went to District 6; staff said that in February 2024 District 6 recorded more than 240,000 hours worked with only three on-the-job injuries, none resulting in lost time.
ODOT’s director and commissioners emphasized safety culture and training across field operations, noting the risks crews face in work zones and specialized inspection operations.
Ending: Commissioners and staff thanked the award recipients and reiterated safety as a top priority across ODOT operations.
