RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Sandy Shortridge 757-925-3627 sandy.shortridge@virginiadot.org

HRO-0320 April 7, 2003

VDOT Technician Named Employee of the Year

SUFFOLK - It’s been a good year for Fred Brinkley. Brinkley, a senior equipment repair technician with the Virginia Department of Transportation, was recently named 2003 Employee of the Year for VDOT’s Hampton Roads District. This award comes in addition to being named the Association of Equipment Professionals (AEMP) National 2002 Technician of the Year in November.

Brinkley was selected as employee of the year from a field of VDOT’s top employees in the region for his professionalism, technical skills and for being an outstanding contributor to the agency’s missions and goals. He was recognized for his exceptional troubleshooting, diagnostic, and repair skills and for performing high quality and time effective repairs.

The AEMP selected Brinkley as the National 2002 Technician of the Year for his innovative troubleshooting and contributions to the equipment technician profession.

Brinkley, an eight year VDOT veteran, oversees 475 pieces of hand-operated, automotive and medium and heavy equipment. He has earned 20 Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications and three ASE master certifications.

“Brinkley has an excellent work ethic and is always striving to improve his skills,” said Jami Denton, head of the Hampton Road’s equipment section and Brinkley’s manager. “We are proud to have him as part of our organization.”

Brinkley brings more than 33 years of technician experience to VDOT. A resident of Suffolk, he and his wife Janet are the parents of two daughters, Mary Beth and Jill.

Each VDOT office and section within the Hampton Roads District, including the Eastern Shore and Western Tidewater, selected employees of the year. Employees were recognized for their outstanding contributions at an annual luncheon held recently.

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