Dan began his career with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in 2001, providing his consulting expertise for approximately one year before joining the Southwest Region’s Information Technology (IT) Department permanently in 2002.
As an Information Technology Specialist, Dan is responsible for a wide variety of tasks. He is responsible for coordinating with the Communications staff to help update all web pages in the Southwest Region, both internally and externally. His additional duties include assisting the IT Department and helpdesk in providing valuable support to fellow employees in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, Dan participates in training new hires through the New Employee Orientation program. In the new hire orientation process, Dan provides presentations, tutorial sessions and tours of the building for newly hired employees. In conjunction with these presentations, Dan provides in house training courses on Microsoft Windows and Excel software. Dan also installs and trains employees on new programs and services such as Citrix and Cisco VPN (Virtual Private Network), allowing multiple options of remote access to the WSDOT network, keeping them fully operational at all times.
Dan explains one of IT’s highest priorities, “to keep employees work stations functional at all times, no matter the situation.” He adds that, “We do our best work under pressure. We strive everyday to be innovative and responsive to the needs of employees.”
When asked what Dan enjoys most about his career, he explains, “I enjoy being able to work with and test all the new technologies available.” He enjoys helping employees be successful in their career at WSDOT. Dan understands the value in training and exposure to WSDOT’s IT systems for new employees on their first day of work. “We saw a big difference with the New Employee Orientation program when it began nearly a year ago. Employees have a head start with technology and they have a better understanding of the tools available to them.” Dan also states that the constant interaction with employees and ability to help staff use technology effectively keeps his work exciting and diversified. He values his supervisors and co-workers and continually learns from them.
When Dan is not at work helping others, he enjoys exploring the great outdoors. He is a man of many traits and enjoys everything from skiing and mountain biking to running the annual Hood to Coast relay with his WSDOT co-workers. Dan also relishes the role of being the IT Support person for his family and friends.
An interesting fact you may not know about Dan is that he was born in Vietnam in 1976, and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was just four years of age. He explains that during this time, it was a difficult transition for his family to endure. However, through this experience it has made him a stronger, more diverse individual. He is committed to the work he does and takes pride in being able to help others in his career at WSDOT.
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