Spirit Award
The Partnering Spirit Award originated in June 2013 to recognize partnership members for their outstanding commitment and dedication. The first individuals to be recognized were Dave Davidson, a consultant senior inspector at ADOT, and Barry Hunnel, a project superintendent at Visus Construction Engineering, Inc.
The State Engineer's Office understood the value of this recognition and requested the formation of a process that would allow qualified individuals to be recognized in a timely manner for their commitment and dedication to Partnering.
Original Spirit Award recognition presentation. Pictured left to right; Dave Davidson, Laura Webb and Barry Hunnel
The Partnering Spirit Award honors individuals who, through their personal characteristics and conduct, have exemplified the best practices and values of ADOT Partnering.
The award recognizes individuals who have played a significant role as members of partnerships that achieved exceptionally positive results through agreements and productive working relationships.
Nomination Info
These individuals demonstrate their dedication to collaborative teamwork by focusing on and demonstrating the Four C's of Partnering Principles — Communication, Commitment, Cooperation and Continuous Improvement — to achieve team goals effectively. They exhibited their commitment to continuous improvement through their strong, ongoing attention to and participation in the Partnering Evaluation Program (PEP).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I recommend an individual for the Partnering Spirit Award?
To celebrate the talent, dedication and passion of individuals who are committed to
- building and strengthening relationships.
- improving the quality of their teams and products.
- providing exemplary customer service.
- resolving issues quickly and effectively.
- enhancing their overall work environment.
- accomplishing the mission and goals of their team.
- making their partnership more successful and enjoyable.
Who is eligible for the Partnering Spirit Award?
The nominee must be or have been actively involved in a formal public, internal or construction partnership that was built on a pledge by all members to stand by and hold true to a set of common principles: Communication, Commitment, Cooperation and Continuous Improvement.
The nominee must have demonstrated one or more of the following distinguishing qualities to become a recipient of the Partnering Spirit Award:
- encouraged open and honest communication
- exhibited outstanding service and personal commitment to the project
- treated others with care and respect
- demonstrated a strong commitment to continuous improvement
- exhibited a cooperative spirit
- provided outstanding leadership
- proved their ability to effectively resolve issues in a timely manner
- encouraged cooperation and trust among team members
- made a significant impact on the project
- motivated coworkers to develop the partnering spirt by acting as a role model
- exhibited strong professional ethics
- uplifted the team culture through their outstanding optimism, enthusiasm, integrity and work ethic
- shared occupational knowledge and industry experience with other team members
- represented the ADOT Partnering Program values by demonstrating
✓ Accountability
✓ Integrity
✓ Respect
✓ Innovation
✓ Customer Service
How do I nominate an individual for the Partnering Spirit Award?
Complete the Partnering Spirit Award nomination form. Submit the form to Partnering Management.
If you have any questions regarding the Partnering Spirit Award, contact Partnering.
2019 Recipients
Kyle Rinderknecht, Project Manager, Pulice Construction, Inc.
December 19, 2019, SR101L Price Freeway Design-Build, Baseline Rd. to SR202L
Kyle Rinderknecht, Spirit Award recipient (middle) congratulated by John Hall (left), Resident Engineer ADOT Consultant and Jesse Gutierrez (right), Deputy State Engineer, ADOT
Brian Pott, Superintendent, Fann Contracting, Inc.
November 26, 2019, I-40 Cataract Lake Road to Parks TI
Brian Pott Spirit Award recipient (right) congratulated by T.C. Fish, RE, ADOT Consultant.
John Vanness, Lead Inspector, ADOT
November 26, 2019, I-40 Cataract Lake Road to Parks TI
John Vanness Spirit Award recipient (right) congratulated by Dave Gregson, Project Manager, Fann Contracting, Inc.
Marty Soulard, ITS Director, CS Construction
November 13, 2019, State Route 303, Phase 3, ITS
Marty Soulard Spirit Award recipient (right) congratulated by Adam Brahm, Project Representative, ADOT.
Anthony Torres, Project Supervisor, ADOT
September 27, 2019, Pinal Air Park TI UP STR#771
Anthony Torres Spirit Award recipient (right) congratulated by Michael Rigby, RE, ADOT
Josh Campbell, Project Manager, FNF Construction, Inc.
September 27, 2019, Pinal Air Park TI UP STR#771
Josh Campbell Spirit Award recipient (right) congratulated by Michael Rigby, RE, ADOT
Michael Rigby, Resident Engineer, ADOT
September 27, 2019, Pinal Air Park TI UP STR#771
Michael Rigby Spirit Award recipient (right) congratulated by John Akin, PE, Tristar Engineering and Management, Inc.
Greg Erks, VSS International
June 21, 2019, SR 179 Chipseal
Mel Raney, ADOT
June 21, 2019, SR 179 Chipseal
Anthony Heim, SWP Contracting and Paving
January 9, 2019, Midway Road, Ash Avenue to Cornman Road
2018
Jon Lenzmeier, ADOT Payson Construction
December 17, 2018, East Bonita Street: SR 87 to Bentley Street project
Jon Lenzmeier Spirit Award recipient (left) is congratulated by Thomas Goodman, ADOT.
Tara Chief, WMAT Transportation Division
August 8, 2018, WMAT Transportation Division and San Carlos Nnee Bich'o Nii Apache Transit Partnership.
Bernadette Kniffin, San Carlos Nnee Bich'o Nii Apache Transit
August 8, 2018, WMAT Transportation Division and San Carlos Nnee Bich'o Nii Apache Transit Partnership.
Kiran Guntupalli, City of Glendale
April 16, 2018, 59th Ave and Olive Ave Project
Kiran Guntupalli Spirit Award recipient (center) is congratulated by Julia Voight and Sam Enmon, ADOT.
2017
Layne Patton, Federal Highway Administration
November 30, 2017, 4 Agency Partnership
Layne Patton Spirit Award recipient is congratulated by Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator (right).
Luke Leonard, FNF Construction
August 4, 2017, SR 101 L/I-10 Ramp SW#2201 and Ramp SE#2202
Luke Leonard Spirit Award recipient is congratulated by Shawn Sheble, FNF Construction (right).
Norm Bessler, Fisher Industries
July 31, 2017, Oak Flats Widening and Near Summit
T.C. Fish, ADOT, congratulates Spirit Award recipient Norm Bessler (left).
Mindy Teague, ADOT
July 31, 2017, Oak Flats Widening and Near Summit
Mindy Teague accepts Spirit Award from T.C. Fish, ADOT.
Bryan Teskey, Fisher Industries
July 31, 2017, Oak Flats Widening and Near Summit
T.C. Fish, ADOT, congratulates Spirit Award recipient Bryan Teskey (left).
Anthony Brozich, ADOT
July 26, 2017, SR 101 L/I-10 Ramp SW#2201 and Ramp SE#2202
Anthony Brozich accepts Spirit Award from Luke Leonard, FNF Construction (right).
Jim Ross, Consultant Engineering Inc.
May 4, 2017, SR 77 Rockfall Mitigation near Summit
Norman Bessler, Fisher Sand and Gravel, congratulates Spirit Award recipient Jim Ross (right).
Orlando Carroll, BIA Forestry
April 18, 2017, SR 260 Hazard Tree Removal
Orlando Carroll (right) accepts Spirit Award from Matt Moul and Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Tara Chief, White Mountain Apache Tribe
April 18, 2017, SR 260 Hazard Tree Removal
Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, and Matt Moul congratulate Spirit Award recipient Tara Chief (center).
Anthony Brozich, ADOT
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Anthony Brozich accepted two Spirit Awards from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
David Tabanico, Coffman Specialties, Inc.
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, congratulates Spirit Award recipient David Tabanico.
Chad Grossman, Rural Electric
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Chad Grossman accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Ed Ochmann, ADOT
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Ed Ochmann accepts Spirit Award from Madhu Reddy, ADOT Phoenix District Engineer.
Armando Lopez, City of Surprise
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Armando Lopez accepted two Spirit Awards from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Stacie Myers, Coffman Specialties, Inc.
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Stacie Myers accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Joseph Heller, TY Lin
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Joseph Heller accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Jorge Estrada, ADOT
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Jorge Estrada accepts Spirit Award from Madhu Reddy, ADOT Phoenix District Engineer.
Jason Brunker, Coffman Specialties, Inc.
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Jason Brunker accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Efren Palomino, Coffman Specialties, Inc.
February 15, 2017, US 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, congratulates Spirit Award recipient Efren Palomino.
2016
Randall Beck, AECOM
December 21, 2016, Partnering in the Precon
Randall Beck (center) accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie Partnering Administrator, and Dallas Hammit, ADOT Deputy Director for Transportation.
John Patterson, Tristar Engineering and Management, Inc.
December 15, 2016, Partnering in the Precon
John Patterson, Aziz Haddad, Dallas Hammit ADOT Deputy Director for Transportation, Bonnie Opie Partnering Administrator and John Akin.
Zachary Teegarden, CS Construction, Inc.
December 15, 2016, Partnering in the Precon
Zach Lambert, Ross Genenbacher, Zach Barnes, Bonnie Opie Partnering Administrator, Lukasz Mikula, Zachary Teegarden, Dallas Hammit ADOT Deputy Director for Transportation.
Robert Cunningham, ADOT
December 1, 2016, I-10 WB Verrado Way to SR 85
Robert Cunningham (center) accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, and Michael Rigby.
Michael Sullivan, Combs Construction
December 1, 2016, I-10 WB Verrado Way to SR 85
Michael Sullivan (center) accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, and Michael Rigby.
Rod Rummel, Rummel Construction
November 16, 2016, Partnering in the Precon
Rod Rummel (2nd from left), Andrew Torres, and Carlos Gonzalez accept the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, and Jesse Gutierrez, Deputy State Engineer for Operations.
Matt Gully, FNF Construction
November 16, 2016, Partnering in the Precon
Matt Gully recipient of the Spirit Award.
Bobby Lall, Horrocks Engineers
November 16, 2016, Partnering in the Precon
Bobby Lall (center) accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, and Jesse Gutierrez, Deputy State Engineer for Operations.
T.C. Fish, Horrocks Engineers
July 7, 2016, US 60 Oak Flat Climbing Lane
Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, and Laura Webb (right) congratulate Spirit Award recipient T.C. Fish.
Tye Roer, Coffman Specialties, Inc.
June 9, 2016, US 60 / Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Tye Roer accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Elvira Galarza, ADOT
June 9, 2016, US 60 / Bell Road Traffic Interchange
Elvira Galarza accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Clint Peterson, McCormick Construction Co.
June 6, 2016, Cherry Creek Road / Cherry Road-Orme Road
Clint Peterson accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Bob Hoyt, McCormick Construction Co.
June 6, 2016, Cherry Creek Road / Cherry Road-Orme Road
Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, presents the Spirit Award to Bob Hoyt.
Lindsey Pribble, McCormick Construction Co.
June 6, 2016, Cherry Creek Road / Cherry Road-Orme Road
Lindsey Pribble accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Scott Gahr, McCormick Construction Co.
June 6, 2016, Cherry Creek Road / Cherry Road-Orme Road
Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator, presents the Spirit Award to Scott Gahr.
Pete Thompson, McCormick Construction Co.
June 6, 2016, Cherry Creek Road / Cherry Road-Orme Road
Pete Thompson accepts the Spirit Award from Bonnie Opie, Partnering Administrator.
Rick Schilke, ADOT
May 26, 2016, US 89, State Route 64 to Little Colorado River
Rick Schilke recipient of the Spirit Award.
Raquel Schatz, City of Apache Junction
February 3, 2016, Ironwood Drive Safety Pullouts
Shane Kiesow presents the Spirit Award to Raquel Schatz.
Raquel Schatz, City of Apache Junction
February 3, 2016, SR 88 (Idaho Road)/Old West Highway
James Hartman presents the Spirit Award to Raquel Schatz.
Dave Locher, ADOT
January 14, 2016, Loop 101 – Shea to Loop 202 (Red Mountain)
Julie Gadsby presents the Spirit Award to Dave Locher.
2015
Bernadette Kniffin, San Carlos Transit Services Nnee bich’ o Nii
October 20, 2015, San Carlos Apache Partnership
Chairman Terry Rambler, San Carlos Apache Tribe, presents the Spirit Award to Bernadette Kniffin. Bill Harmon, ADOT District Engineer Southeast District and Marvin Mull, SCAT Director of Transportation join the presentation.
Del Whittington, ADOT
July 14, 2015, US 93, Antelope and Moss Wash Bridges and Roadway
Allison Baker presents the Spirit Award to Del Whittington.
Jesse Gutierrez, ADOT
June 23, 2015, SR 277 Culvert Project, Town of Snowflake
Bonnie Opie of Partnering presents the Spirit Award to Jesse Gutierrez with the Snowflake Town Council.
Patrick McCarron, ADOT
June 4, 2015, I-15 Virgin River Bridge #6
Erik Wolf presents the Spirit Award to Patrick McCarron
Laura Nordan, ADOT
June 3, 2015, Ewing Trail Bridge over Oak Creek
Terrin Lane presents the Spirit Award to Laura Nordan.
Scott Jones, Haydon Building Corp.
June 3, 2015, US 60 / SR 303 Interim Traffic Interchange
Bill Pederson of Partnering presents the Spirit Award to Scott Jones.
2013
Dave Davidson, Consultant, Senior Inspector
ADOT, Boyce Thompson Arboretum Project
Barry Hunnel, Project Superintendent
Visus Construction Engineering, Inc., Boyce Thompson Arboretum Project
