When Don Morby joined WSDOT in 1992 as a Maintenance Technician, he arrived with a goal: to be a supervisor within 10 years. To those who know and work with him, it’s no surprise that Don accomplished this ambition, and has continued setting and meeting goals ever since. A hardworking, dedicated, and passionate employee, Don has invested 17 years of effort into keeping state roads open and maintained for the safety of the traveling public. Now a Maintenance Supervisor for Southwest Region’s Bingen office, Don takes great pride in his crew and the area for which they are responsible.
Don supervises a crew of maintenance technicians in the Columbia River Gorge, one of the most scenic, and therefore one of the most challenging areas of the state when it comes to roadways. His crew and the area in which they work are the two greatest joys of Don’s job. “I have such a great crew,” Don states. “They’re reliable, they are there for each other, and they’re extremely hardworking. I can call them in the middle of the night, and they’ll show up ready to work. I know what to expect from them, and they know what to expect from me. We have a lot of camaraderie.” Along with his crew, Don deeply respects and admires his outdoor workplace, the highways and byways of the Columbia River Gorge.
Though Don travelled the world during a 30-year career in the US Navy, he says that he “can’t think of a better area to work in than the Gorge.” He’s seen both Poles, the shores of Vietnam, and spent countless nights on boats floating in the middle of the world’s oceans, but Don loves the beauty and the challenge of the Gorge best. This recent winter was particularly challenging, bringing harsh weather and difficult working conditions. However, Don and his crew tackled the challenge and maintained open highways throughout the winter.
When he is not out in the elements working on state highways, Don enjoys the beauty of the Gorge by painting scenery with oils and creating wood carvings with his chainsaw. Whether he is constructing art or plowing roads, Don brings dedication and passion to every task and challenge he faces. Don states that his three present goals are protecting the safety of his crew and the traveling public, maintaining the drivability of highways in his area, and providing a service of which the public can be proud. Continuing in his personal tradition of excellence, Don is meeting all his goals at a level of highest caliber.
Whether it’s controlled vegetation, a prevented rockslide, dry pavement, or a new oil painting, WSDOT can’t wait to see what Don delivers next.
Featured Employee Listing