PARIS -- The Paris District of the Texas Department of Transportation held its 26th annual safety banquet in mid-February, recognizing 222 Paris district employees for their accomplishments in driving and working safely without accidents or injuries.

Special guest and keynote speaker was Jerral Wyer, Director of the safety, industrial hygiene, and hazardous materials section for the Occupational Safety Division in Austin. He congratulated the group on their accomplishments and urged them to continue to strive toward zero accidents and injuries.

Paris District Engineer Bobby G. Littlefield Jr. also encouraged the employees to work toward a goal of zero accidents and injuries while congratulating them on the FY-2009 record.

The TxDOT employees recognized at the banquet work daily in dangerous environments to perform their duties without accidents or injuries. Employees from the Bonham and Sherman areas were recognized.

Bonham Maintenance Section employees receiving "Safe Operators" awards are Gary Rater (20 years), William Englutt (19 years), Joe Nichols (19 years), Billy Pannell (14 years), Jason Chennault (13 years), Kent Hall (13 years), John Nichols (10 years), Corinna Clark (8 years), Marty Charles (7 years),, Jason Hewitt (5 years), Tracy Lackey (5 years), Michael Underwood (5 years), Mark Titsworth (4 years), Carl Bagley (3 years), Randel Lee (3 years), Thomas Pearson (3 years), and Stan Waldrop (3 years).

Bonham Maintenance Section employees receiving "No Injury" awards are William F. Englutt (20 years), Gary Rater (20 years), Joe Nichols (19 years), Billy Pannell (15 years), Kent Hall (13 years), Jason L. Chennault (13 years), John Nichols (10 years), Kelly Titsworth (10 years), Marty G. Charles (8 years), Corinna Clark (8 years), Jason Hewitt (8 years), Jimmy Hewitt (2 years), Tracy Lackey (5 years), Michael Underwood (5 years), Mark Titsworth (4 years), Carl Bagley (3 years), Thomas Pearson (3 years), Randel Lee (2 years), and Stan Waldrop (2 years).

Sherman Maintenance Section employees receiving "Safe Operator" awards are Raymond Martin (28 years), Franklin Shearin (14 years), Susan Pittman (13 years), Jimmy McBrayer (13 years), Wayne Kelso Jr. (12 years), Tommy Langford (12 years), Jeff Daniels (12 years), Billy Meador (12 years), Joe Strickland (11 years), John Ward (11 years), Carl Lawson (11 years), William Fesperman (11 years), Ralph Vannoy (8 years), Michael Faulks (8 years), Edward Bingham (7 years), George Erwin (7 years), Duane Compton (7 years), Steven Hughes (7 years), Darren Hester (6 years), Jason Mendez (6 years), Barry Nance (5 years), Jeff Taylor (4 years), Erbin Wright (4 years) Paul Burnett (3 years), Jimmy Phelps, Jr. (3 years), Robert L. Cook, III (2 years), and Glen Williams (1 years).

Sherman Maintenance Section employees receiving "No Injury" awards are Raymond Martin (28 years), Joe Strickland (26 years), John Ward (21 years), Billy Meador (16 years), Wayne Kelso Jr (13 years), Franklin Shearin (13 years), Susan Pittman (13 years), Tommy Langford (13 years), Jeffery Daniels (12 years), Jimmy McBrayer (12 years), Carl Lawson (11 years), William Fesperman (10 years), Ralph Vannoy (9 years), Edward Bingham (9 years), Steven Hughes (8 years), Michael Faulks (8 years), Duane Compton (7 years), Jason Mendez (6 years), George Erwin (6 years), Darren Hester (5 years), Barry Nance (5 years), Jeffrey Taylor (5 years), and Erbin Wright (4 years), Jimmy Phelps, Jr. (3 years), Robert L. Cook III (2 years).

Sherman Area Engineering Section employees receiving "Safe Operator" awards are Elijah Palmer, Jr, (23 years), Felton Phillips (19 years), David Selman (18 years), Louis Cartwright (17 years), Carlos Gilstrap (11 years), David Kirby (9 years), Mark Abernathy (8 years), Kenneth Riddle (5 years), William Duty (4 years), Joshua Golleher (4 years), Donald Hatch (4 years), Jeffrey Galewaler (3 years), Jodie Doran (3 years), and Kevin Rice (3 years).

Sherman Area Engineering Section employees receiving "No Injury" awards are Elijah Palmer, Jr. (28 years), Louis Cartwright (23 years), Felton Phillips (21 years), Carlos Gilstrap (13 years), David Kirby (10 years), Mark Abernathy (8 years), Kenneth Riddle (5 years), Joshua Golleher (4 years), William Duty (4 years), Donald Hatch (4 years), Jodie Doran (3 years), Jeffrey Galewaler (3 years), Kevin Rice (3 years).