Governor Josh Shapiro has recognized a group of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) employees with Governor’s Awards for Excellence, honoring their extraordinary efforts during the record-breaking snowstorm that hit Erie County in November 2024.

The Thanksgiving storm buried parts of the region under three to seven feet of snow, with snowfall rates of several inches per hour.

More than 250 personnel from multiple state agencies were mobilized in response. PennDOT deployed staff and equipment from across the state to assist Erie County in keeping over 2,000 lane miles of state roadways passable.

PennDOT worked closely with Erie County and the City of Erie to support snow removal efforts on locally owned roads. Over a nine-day period, some PennDOT staff worked nearly 170 consecutive hours. The department's Area Command Center in Harrisburg was activated around the clock, and daily briefings were held from the Emergency Operations Center.

PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll was on-site in Erie County to lead and support the coordinated response.

“The dedication of the PennDOT team under incredibly challenging circumstances cannot be overstated,” said Carroll. “The Thanksgiving storm of 2024 is just one more example of how PennDOT shows up for the traveling public every day: no matter where, no matter when.”

Honorees from PennDOT include:

   •Aaron Fox, Assistant District Executive for Maintenance, District 1

   •Jesse Williams, Assistant Highway Maintenance Manager, District 1

   •Kurt Dowler, Assistant Highway Maintenance Manager, District 1

   •Easton Ray, Assistant Highway Maintenance Manager, District 1

   •David Donikowski, Assistant Highway Maintenance Manager, District 1

   •Timothy Scott, Assistant Highway Maintenance Manager, District 1

   •Todd Saltsman, Highway Equipment Manager 2, District 1

   •James Shaut, Senior Highway Maintenance Manager

   •Lindsay Sipes, Roadway Programs Coordinator, District 1

   •Dan Whetzel, Highway Administration Program Manager 1, Central Office

   •Monica Wesner, Roadway Programs Manager 1, Central Office

These individuals were part of a group of 99 employees from nine state agencies honored by Governor Shapiro for outstanding performance in 2024. The annual Governor’s Awards for Excellence highlight initiative, leadership, innovation, and enhanced public service across the Commonwealth.