ODOT District Deputy Director in Southeast Ohio to retire in June

MARIETTA (Thursday, May 27, 2010) - Having helped Governor Ted Strickland make significant impacts on the future transportation system of Southeast Ohio, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 10 Deputy Director Larry Woodford is announcing his retirement after more than three years with the department.

“Larry’s time as a leader with Team ODOT was short but his impact has stretched far across the nine counties of this district,” said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris. “Under Larry’s leadership, ODOT’s District 10 team partnered with communities across Southeast Ohio to advance more than 200 various transportation projects and invest more than $376 million in the region. That includes Ohio’s largest single federal transportation stimulus investment, the Nelsonville Bypass.”

Mr. Woodford’s focus on safety also helped develop a highly-collaborative relationship with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and led to many successful public outreach efforts centered on driver safety in the Marietta area.

“I am honored to have worked with such a great staff and to have served the people of Southeast Ohio,” said Mr. Woodford. “Our investments in transportation infrastructure will connect and serve generations of people who live and work here and those who just wish to explore the natural beauty and rich culture of Southeast Ohio.”

Prior to joining ODOT, Mr. Woodford served 26 years as a Master Electrician for Central Ohio Coal Company. Mr. Woodford also served as an Olive Township Trustee for 11 years in Noble County.

Upon Mr. Woodford’s retirement on June 4th, ODOT Director Molitoris will appoint Karen Pawloski, the district’s current Business and Human Resources Administrator, to the leadership role of District Deputy Director.

“Karen’s commitment to this department and to Governor Strickland’s mission of modernizing our state’s multi-modal transportation system will truly serve the citizens of the District 10 region well,” said Director Molitoris. “Karen has the ability to bring people together and to work with our local government partners and the people and businesses of the region in fulfilling our mission of Moving Ohio into a Prosperous New World.”

Ms. Pawloski has served as the district’s business administrator since 2007. She started her career with ODOT as a public information officer, serving that role from 1987 to 1991. She then spent more than 10 years working as a Congressional case manager in Southeast Ohio for Charlie Wilson and then-Congressman Ted Strickland.

ODOT’s District 10 - comprised of the nine counties of Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Vinton and Washington - is responsible for more than 1,200 bridges and 4,000 lane miles of state highway. The region is known for its rural character, mountainous terrain, and scenic beauty – with the Ohio River bordering five of the district’s nine counties. The district headquarters are in Marietta.

For more information contact: Scott Varner, ODOT Central Office Communications, at 614-644-8640.