Russell Wagner started work for WSDOT Eastern Region in 2003 as an Equipment Shop Assistant in Colfax. In 2008, he promoted to Equipment Technician 3. He has many positives to say about WSDOT which included the personable employees and caring management combined with great facilities and a safe working environment. He said he feels blessed to be here and excited to have such a great place to go to work at each day.
According the Eastern Region Equipment Operations Superintendent Craig Clouse, Russell has a strong commitment to provide the best in customer service. Russell understands the importance of maintaining a cooperative relationship with those he works with and the customers he serves. Russell has a friendly personality that helps to make his customer’s experience with the Colfax shop a pleasant one. During the winter season the equipment fleet in the Colfax maintenance area comes under considerable strain. Through it all, Russell responds to the increased workload in a positive manner and maintains a good work ethic. His great attitude and his equipment repair talents help to keep the fleet operational in the worst of conditions.
Paul Ahmann, the Lead Mechanic in the Colfax shop had this to say: “to fully appreciate what Russell brings to WSDOT, you first should understand what he does. The Colfax Equipment shop is responsible for the maintenance and repair of over 120 pieces of equipment, ranging from lawn tractors to 35,000 lb. excavators. The equipment has many different systems which are exposed to a mix of de-ice and anti-ice chemicals which require more maintenance to keep them operational. So on any given day you could find Russ welding up a broken brace for a truck mounted wing plow, to poking buttons on a lap top hooked to a pickup with a “check engine light” on, to picking a sander off a truck with a crane or mounting a wing plow on a grader in nasty weather, all with a good attitude. Russ’ background is one of the reasons he is so valuable here. He understands heavy equipment, hydraulic systems, brake systems and what needs to be done to make it keep working.
Over the years, Russell has worn many hats and maintained many connections in the Whitman County area - family man, farmer, heavy equipment mechanic, logger, and civic volunteer. He has served and/or been a leader of multiple commissions, boards and teams including: the Idaho Wheat Commission; Idaho Barley Commission; Latah County Soil Conservation District; Washington State Pea and Lentil Association; and the North Latah County Fire Commissioner.
Russ really enjoys his time in his home shop and it is there that he repairs heavy equipment for family farming and logging operations and does woodworking and metal working. In addition to repairing a wide range of equipment both at WSDOT and at home, Russ has operated a wide range of equipment for most of his life. He learned to drive tractor on the family farm at the age of five and by six was operating them independently. He said his mother said she could see the tractor moving but not see anyone operating it.
Russell has spent 40 year with his high school sweetheart Carla, who comes from a home town a few short miles from his home town. (They were each part of rival sports teams.) Together, in 38 years of marriage, they have raised six children ranging in age from 21 to 33 (Janae, Derek, Kelsey, Nicole, Brittany and Reid) and now have four grandchildren with a fifth on the way. They have worked hard at building their life together on the family farm – a large scale wheat, barley and lentil operation that also includes some timber.
Though retirement is still a ways down the road, he says he and his wife look forward to traveling to visit the children and grandchildren in years to come.
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