This month’s featured employee is actually a team of hard working WSDOT employees. The Central Washington Traffic Management Center (CWTMC) operators in Union Gap work behind the scenes talking to equipment operators and supervisors, tracking traffic and highway conditions 24 hours per day.
The CWTMC operators provide important traffic information to motorists by updating the web, the highway advisory radio and variable message signs. They also coordinate communications between the Washington State Patrol and WSDOT maintenance. The CWTMC’s area spans northwest from Union Gap to North Bend, south to the Oregon border, and east to Clarkston near Idaho. Starting in July, they’ll have a new area to cover, White Pass. The CWTMC also covers the North Central Region after hours and on weekends from April to November.
To communicate the often hectic Snoqualmie Pass area activities, there is also a crew at the Hyak maintenance facility (Hyak Communications) with both full time and seasonal employees.
The TMC was established in 2001, but many operators have worked for WSDOT for a lot longer. Let’s meet the crew (pictured here left to right from the top):
Eric Brain has worked for WSDOT since 1997 in Union Gap. “I appreciate the people I work with,” Eric said. “We all have knowledge and skills from different backgrounds, that collectively helps us provide important information the public has come to rely on.”
After hours, Eric enjoys spending time with his family.
Kerry Jorgensen has worked for WSDOT since 1994 in Union Gap. “My spectrum runs from overseeing communication efforts during winter storms to communicating intricacies of construction detours,” Kerry said. “I also have the pleasure of supervising six very competent operators.” In his spare time, Kerry rides motorcycles, trap shoots, and works as an official for the National Hot Rod Association.
Susan Peterschick joined the Union Gap WSDOT team in 2001. Susan enjoys being busy and challenged during major highway events at WSDOT. In her spare time, she likes to camp and hang out with her family.
Teresa McCoy is the supervisor in the Hyak communications office. She’s worked for WSDOT since 1975. Working on a major mountain pass, conditions change minute to minute sometimes, and that what she likes most about her job. Teresa also appreciates the advances in technology over the decades. “The radio room equipment has come a long way since I started, although we still have a speaker for the WSP monitor, that I recently noticed on an old Hawaii 5-0 rerun,” she said. Teresa loves spending time with family, skiing, and traveling.
Mark Robinson has worked for WSDOT for nine years. His favorite part is keeping drivers informed. He enjoys spending time with his wife and dogs. He rides motorcycles and is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. He also likes to do home improvement projects.
June Shull started working for WSDOT in the fall of 1978. Her favorite part of the job is turning off the traction tires required signs so the semis don’t have to put on chains, and the chain up areas can clear out. In her spare time, she paints landscapes en plein air. “It is a French term for painting in the outdoors on location,” she said. She’s a member of Plein Air Washington Artists (PAWA) and High Country Artists, a local group in Cle Elum.
Geri Meredith has worked for WSDOT since 1994 in Union Gap.
Geri likes her job in the TMC because every day is different. “There are many stories, some comical, some sad, some happy and some that don’t make sense from my perspective, as to why someone would do what they have done, but they must have had their reason.” She also enjoys the fast pace during major highway events.In her free time, Geri likes to travel, play ping pong, and dabble with different art hobbies.
Robyn Hull just finished her second season as an operator at Hyak. “The team of people I work with is the best part,” Robin said. “They are really professional and really fun too.”
Jen Steward (not pictured) has worked at WSDOT for nine seasons in the Hyak communications office. She likes the busyness and excitement of being an operator. “When you’ve got a million things going on at once; it’s fun,” she said. She’s got a 13-year old son she’s trying to keep up with, so she spends a lot of time outdoors skiing, hiking, and biking.
Betsy Dyer (not pictured) has worked at WSDOT for five seasons in the TMC at Hyak. Her favorite part of the job is waiting for the big storm, “It’s the anticipation of the big wild one… and when it actually hits, you get amped, woo hoo!” Betsy said. In the summertime, Betsy works for the Forest Service and the Snoqualmie Pass Visitor’s center. Her favorite outdoor hobby is horseback riding in the woods.
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