Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll recognized 30 PennDOT employees for their outstanding performance with the Star of Excellence Award, PennDOT’s highest recognition.

Two employees from PennDOT’s District 5, which represents Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties, were among the honorees.

“Every day, I am reminded of our employees’ dedication, their excellent customer service, and in many cases, their sacrifices,” Carroll said. “The accomplishments of our Stars of Excellence exemplify PennDOT’s mission to provide the very best transportation services to Pennsylvanians every day.”

Local winners Calvin Ulshafer and James Marks were honored recently at an awards luncheon at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg.

“Calvin and James are outstanding employees dedicated to providing the best transportation system possible,” District 5 Executive Christopher Kufro said. “This is a well-deserved recognition, and I congratulate both of them.”

Calvin Ulshafer

During his 25-year career in District 5, Ulshafer has become an integral member of the Construction Unit who has been assigned as a project manager to some of the most complex and often atypical projects undertaken by the district.

Ulshafer remains at the forefront of administering and adapting PennDOT’s policies for quality and cost control. His ability to oversee construction activities has allowed the district to perform a vast amount of work while achieving premium quality efficiently and cost-effectively.

He is often consulted for constructability reviews and provides valuable input. He remains a key member of the district’s long-term plans regarding innovation and process improvement.

Ulshafer has concurrently managed multiple complex projects within the NEPA region. The Interstate 80 Exit 308 project in Monroe County is a high-profile, complex project that will exceed $100 million in cost.

Shortly after the I-80 project began, an emergency rock fall condition took place along the nearby Route 611 corridor leading to a road closure for the traveling public and pedestrians.

James Marks

Jim Marks, equipment operator in Carbon County, has emerged as a star employee in the county maintenance organization since entering his position in 2010.

He is well-liked and respected by his fellow employees and always willing to help without anyone asking. Marks proves every day the characteristics of his exemplary performance.

On numerous occasions Carbon County was short operators during the morning shifts on I-80. Marks stepped in to cover the open routes when all other options had been exhausted. His dedication to his job is second-to-none, PennDOT said.

Through his wealth of masonry knowledge, Marks has assisted with concrete work in the county.

Among the many projects, Marks helped reconstruct a bridge parapet on Route 534. The job came out exceptionally well, saving the county $20,000 versus putting the work out for contract, and helped train the bridge crew to keep that work in-house, achieving ongoing future savings.

The Star of Excellence Awards are presented annually to employees who represent the department’s values of service, performance and integrity. The recipients represent a variety of organizational positions, from highway maintenance and driver and vehicle services workers, to traffic control specialists, engineers and more.

For more information, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/District5 or call 610-871-4556.