OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Some of ODOT’s most successful employees and leaders began their careers as EIT's

THOMAS P. PANNETT, P.E.  Assistant Legal Counsel, Office of Chief Legal Counsel

"The EIT program provided me the opportunity to gain experience and contacts in virtually all phases of ODOT: planning; design; construction; maintenance; etc.  The exposure to these disciplines and individuals now eleven years later in my career continues to serve me as Assistant Legal Counsel for the Department.  Further, my co-EITs then are the ODOT management of today.  Several whom I continue to deal with have even moved on to private consulting firms who work for the Department on a contractual basis.  Knowing these individuals personally is a factor that has made my often contentious job easier and gains me instant credibility as I deal with employees across the state, and the hundreds of consulting and construction firms in the private sector.  I could not have recognized as an engineer, three days after graduation, the many benefits working as an ODOT EIT would provide me over the years."

LESLIE L. MONTGOMERY, P.E. Construction Project Engineer, District 6

“When my EIT class began its career at ODOT, rather than relegating us to junior staff, we were welcomed and briefed by Bureau Chiefs who then passed us to their most accomplished engineers.  Every engineer and manager I met on the EIT program encouraged me to contact them any time I had a question.   The overview of the goals and responsibilities of ODOT as well as the detailed description of every person’s tasks gave us the knowledge and perspective necessary to serve ODOT to the best of our capacity.  Much of the cohesion in the transportation engineering community has been developed in the ODOT EIT program.   Currently, I am the project engineer for a design-build project.  The designer, the Contractor’s engineer, and I were all EIT’s.  This helped us instantly fall into an open, constructive, honest working relationship, benefiting all parties.  Now that I have college interns I appreciate the valuable resources that were devoted to my career development during the EIT program.”

MONIQUE R. EVANS, P.E.  Administrator, Office of Research & Development

"Productivity often hinges on how fast you can access the right information, and knowing who to contact is frequently the first step in gaining this access.  One of the benefits of participating in the EIT program is the opportunity you have to meet people at all levels of the department who can provide you with appropriate information.  Learning how the organization was structured, understanding the functions and needs of the different offices, and establishing working relationships with individuals throughout the department was very valuable to me as I began my career at ODOT.  Almost 14 years later, in my current position as Administrator of the Office of Research and Development, I continue to rely on these factors while working with my colleagues to deliver a strategic research plan that meets the needs of the entire department."

DREW WILLIAMS, Jr.,  Pavement Management Coordinator,  Central Office

“As a new employee at ODOT, the EIT Program provided me valuable introductory exposure to the many facets of the department’s operation.  The program enabled me to gain a varying degree of experiences and tie them all together, providing a well-rounded understanding of how everything works.  Most importantly, I wasn’t thrown into a corner to do something I didn’t enjoy.  Instead, I worked with a number of people on various projects and quickly learned how I fit into the organization.  Further, the networking and professional relationships I developed with decision makers and other EIT’s have proven useful, as many of these individuals currently hold key ODOT positions throughout the state.  This pre-networking has made communicating and working regularly with these individuals much easier.”

BRENDA J. MOORE, P.E.  Planning Engineer, District 6

“I began the EIT Program in 1990, spending 18 months going through the various departments in District Six and in Central Office.  The EIT Program gave me a good overview of the various functions ODOT performs and where I fit into the  big picture.  As part of the program I spent nine months in construction on the Franklin I-71/Polaris Interchange Project.  After I completed the EIT program I worked in District Six Maintenance.  After reorganization in 1995 I moved to District Six Planning.  Through the EIT program I developed working relationships and friendships that I still have 15 years later.  When I need help on construction issues I still ask assistance from those same people I worked under when I was in construction as an EIT.  I would highly recommend going through the EIT program if you have the opportunity.  It provides valuable information that you will use all through your career.”

NOEL A. ALCALA, P.E.  Major New Environmental Projects Coordinator, Central Office

“I remember my experience as an EIT as both enjoyable and professionally valuable. I enjoyed my assignments in the District 6 Office in Delaware as well as the time spent in Central Office visiting ODOT's different offices and learning about their specific operations. The EIT program had allowed me to meet many valuable professional contacts (including fellow EITs) many with whom I currently work on projects. The EIT program gave me the opportunity to begin my career in the Office of Environmental Services where I am currently working as a Major New Environmental Projects Coordinator. The EIT program is a wonderful tool for the development of all young incoming engineers.”

ANA M. MIDDLETON, P.E.  Transportation Engineer 4,  District 8

“I graduated from The Ohio State University in 1989 and I had in mind that I would work in an office environment and definitely never work in the construction field. Following many interviews, I accepted the job with the Ohio Department of Transportation because of the broad opportunities offered in the EIT program. Through the EIT program, I was exposed to many different departments and people within the Ohio Department of Transportation which not only helped me decide what area I was most interested in, but, gave me a better understanding of how the Department functioned. I am currently the Greene County Resident Engineer for the District 8 Construction Department where I am responsible for the administration, management and contract compliance of both major and minor construction projects. I truly believe that without the EIT program I would have never considered working in the construction field and would have missed out on a great opportunity.”

ABOUT ODOT    EIT PROGRAM    JOBS!    ODOT BENEFITS    COMPENSATION    ADVANCEMENT    INTERNSHIPS

MEET OUR EIT'S    TESTIMONIALS    QUALIFICATIONS    CONTACT    ODOT HOME    OTEC 2008