Programs and Partnerships

Partnering

Spirit Award

Original Spirit Award recognition presentation.
Pictured left to right; Dave Davidson, Laura Webb
and Barry Hunnel

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.

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.

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).

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 PartneringManagement@azdot.gov.

If you have any questions regarding the Partnering Spirit Award, contact the ADOT Partnering Office at
PartneringInfo@azdot.gov.

Nomination Packet

2018 Recipients

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.

Past Recipients

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.