TENNESSEE DEPT . OF TRANSPORTATION
transportation debt . Regarded as a “ pay as you go ” state , the department pays no interest and has no loans to build transportation facilities .
“ We have a very robust program as far as having workload in the pipeline ,” said Degges . “ By not having any debt , it allows us the flexibility of being nimble in our decision-making on which projects we need to work on .”
“ About 91 percent of our money goes to project delivery , design , acquisition and construction ,” continued Degges . “ So 91 percent of our money goes out the door and onto the street with just a small amount for administrative functions .”
“ While other states are paying millions in interest each year , we pay zero and use it on projects ,” added Grandinetti .
Placing Employees at the Helm of the Wheel When it comes to its employees , TDOT is focused on two things : education and teamwork . With the recent hires of 160 engineers within the past 18 months , an emphasis has been placed on diversity and growing one ’ s education . And it wouldn ’ t be complete without a proper celebration once certain successes are achieved .
“ We have a strong program to push education in our maintenance forces and we most recently had a celebration at the Tennessee Titans ’ football stadium ,” said Degges . “ We had the governor come in and the commissioner of the department of education along with the commissioner of transportation . It was a celebration of about 100 employees that have gone the extra mile on their own time to earn additional education credentials that will allow them the opportunity to move up in the organization .”
When it comes to the success of managing a large workforce such as TDOT ’ s – with four facilities statewide – Degges believes it comes down to placing individuals in leadership roles .
“ To be perfectly honest , you ’ re not born a leader . Your life experiences make you a leader , and if I can
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