MDOT awards top honors to Sikkema, six other employees
MDOT awards top honors to Sikkema, six other employees
LANSING — Andy Sikkema, manager of the Michigan Departmentof Transportation’s Superior Region Transportation Service Center in Ishpeming, is one of seven people to receive a Director’s Award this year.
Sikkema is the longest-serving TSC manager in the state. He works in the Ishpeming TSC, located in MDOT’s Superior Region, where he is well-respected by MDOT and its partners, said award staff.
Seven MDOT employees are the recipients of the coveted Director’s Award, the department’s top honor for outstanding service. For 21 years, the annual award has recognized those employees who are steadfastly focused on the department’s goals, and who consistently perform above and beyond the call of duty.
Sikkema is the longest-serving TSC manager in the state. MDOT staff said Sikkema takes great pride in recognizing his employees’ successes and has created a culture that invites them to try the unconventional. Sikkema serves on the Industry Advisory Board for Michigan Tech University’s civil engineering program in an effort to ensure that graduates are prepared to deal with real-world issues. Sikkema is a trailblazer in corridor planning, community involvement, and multi-modal transportation planning. Sikkema not only makes communities aware of enhancement grant opportunities, he also works with officials to see the process completed. He worked with the city of Houghton, recently named one of America’s most walkable cities, to secure funds to add a pedestrian tunnel under M-26.
“The individuals selected for this special recognition will serve as role models for the entire department because they exemplify the behaviors we want to reinforce,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “Their hard work and dedication demonstrate a commitment to quality, teamwork, customers and integrity. We are fortunate that each one of these employees is a public servant committed to our state’s transportation system.”
The Director’s Award program includes established work categories that represent the respective job responsibilities and levels within the department.
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