Steve Hutchinson, P.E. – Division of Highways Chief Engineer

I started in the EIT program in May of 1972 working out of the Rupert Residency in District 2 (that´s correct, 2). I worked on all types of jobs including a pavement rehabilitation method that hasn’t been seen since. I did have the opportunity to inspect on the Perrine Bridge replacement which was challenging for a person who doesn´t like heights.

Since that beginning, I have had the opportunity to work in Headquarters twice and spent 12 years in District 3. I was Project Development Engineer for 2 years and Assistant District Engineer for Operations (maintenance and construction) for 10. During that time the District completed the reconstruction of Horseshoe Bend Hill realignment, the Connector (I-184) and Cole/Overland Interchange as well as reconstruction of 24 miles of concrete pavement near Mountain Home. My current rotation in Headquarters involved being Roadway Design Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer for Development and currently Chief Engineer.

The EIT program at ITD gave me the foundation to have a long, interesting and very challenging career.

Andrea Paroni Storjohann, P.E. – Assistant District Engineer, District 1

I entered the EIT program at the Idaho Transportation Department in the summer of 1987 while a temporary employee of the Department working in the Wallace Resident Engineer’s office. I had been hired as a temporary employee to be a geotechnical inspector for the large anchors that were being drilled into the hillside for retaining walls so the I-90 viaduct could be built through Wallace. It was a new geotechnical application for Idaho at the time so it was interesting to be a part of the project. We had many visitors because of the "newness". At that time, there were four EITs assigned to the northern District (District One) and best part of the EIT experience, I think for all of us, was to be a part of challenging large construction projects as I-90 was completed across northern Idaho.

I have spent most of my career with ITD in Operations – primarily construction and maintenance. I really enjoy the constant challenges both areas present – it is never dull and just when you think you know what each day will hold, some new twist comes along to keep you on your toes.

Nestor Fernandez, P.E. - GARVEE Program Administrator

I entered the EIT Program with the ITD in 1989. As an EIT, I was given the opportunity to get my career off to a running start with a combination of on-the-job training and challenging opportunities. For three years I rotated through various areas of the department from design and construction to maintenance and traffic. These rotations helped me to fully recognize my strengths and weaknesses. I faced real world challenges and was given the opportunity to see many of my assignments come to fruition. Furthermore, the program helped to identify my engineering specialty.

Throughout my EIT experience, I created friends, found mentors and became a better engineer. When it came time for my PE exam, I aced it. I truly believe this due to the comprehensive nature and training of the EIT program at the ITD. Since my PE exam, I have served with ITD as a Staff Engineer, the Local Roads Coordinator and Deign Engineer at District 3, as the Consultant Administration and Local Roads Engineer at Headquarters, and now as the GARVEE Program Administrator.

My success as an engineer has come from the quality education I obtained as an EIT and from the many friendships I have created throughout my career.

Greg Laragan, P.E. - Division of Highways Operations Assistant Chief Engineer

I entered the EIT program in 1974 after four summers working as an hourly at District 3 while I attended college. Although I started my EIT rotation in Headquarters in the Environmental and Corridor Planning Section writing environmental impact statements, the majority of my EIT tenure was spent in Lewiston where I had the opportunity to work on construction projects that included major structures and huge earthwork volumes.

Although I took a six year detour after earning my PE license to sample life as a consultant, many of the experiences I had as an EIT with ITD shaped my enjoyment of transportation engineering and eventually led me back to a long career with ITD. The assignments I had as an EIT in the district design, maintenance and traffic sections all proved to be valuable to me later in my career, as I became an Area Design Engineer in Roadway Design, then the Assistant Maintenance Engineer, the Assistant Traffic Engineer, the Traffic Engineer, the Assistant District Engineer for Operations at District 3, the Roadway Design Engineer and then on to my current position as Assistant Chief Engineer (Operations).

Marvin Fenn, P.E. - Resident Engineer, District 1

The EIT program was the only time in my 16 year career that allowed for so many diverse opportunities to work and train in the Department. I valued the Department´s EIT program allowing the EIT´s to rotate through different disciplines within the Department. The duties within the sections were allowed to be flexible permitting the EIT to observe with out pressure, jump in and get your hands dirty with the employees in that section and attend trainings all over the state. The EIT program not only introduced me to all the disciplines within the Department, but also provided a means to develop relationships with coworkers that turned into career long resources.

Tisha Hyde, E.I.T. - District 3

I started in the EIT program at the Idaho Transportation Department in March 2005. I have enjoyed learning the various aspects of what goes into constructing and maintaining a safe, efficient transportation system, from public involvement and planning, to design and construction. The EIT program allows you to see how different disciplines come together to make a quality product for the public use. EIT´s have the opportunity to attend some great training courses and conferences throughout the state. The best part of the program is that you can tailor it to meet your individual needs and interests.

Justin Wuest, E.I.T. - District 1

I started my EIT career with the Idaho Transportation Department in May of 2006. The Department does an exceptional job of making certain the EIT´s get all the training they would like. The training keeps me current with what’s new and allows me to learn from others mistakes or problems. It’s also nice to know that you’re not the only one going though the EIT program, and at anytime you can get help from others that may have gone through or may be going through the same things you are.

Erika Stoddard, E.I.T. - District 3

I recently started the EIT program in November of 2006 in the District 3 Boise office after working for a consultant for over two years. ITD’s EIT program offers a unique and varied learning environment that is not available in many companies. It enables you to experience all aspects of engineering from bridges to construction to program management giving you an expansive understanding of how to take any project from concept to completion.

So far at ITD I have already had the opportunity to work in the Materials Department reviewing concrete and asphalt mix design submittals, inspecting pavements, assisting the drill crew with standard penetration tests, and participating in field reviews of potential rock fall locations. I am currently working on my own project in Design Group B concerning Alkali Silica Reaction on a 25 mile stretch of concrete pavement near Mountain Home, ID. I have been in steady contact with consultants and contractors while putting together the concept report to submit for design.

At ITD you are not just an EIT, you are a future engineer and they take great strides here to lead you onto a successful career after the training is complete.

Daniel Gorley, E.I.T. - Headquarters

When I graduated ISU, I had several opportunities available. The EIT training program at the ITD offered everything I needed. They mentioned all of the different civil engineering areas available to train in over the next four years. This is the only program tailored around actual training and includes a mentoring program, which ensures the training meets all my needs. Fortunately, I made the right decision and the program has exceeded my expectations. Since I started, I have worked on several million dollar projects, involving all aspects of civil engineering. I have worked as an inspector on the Glenn’s Ferry to King Hill concrete paving project and as project manager on the Bliss Rest Area project. I also have spent time in Design, Materials, Bridge, Environmental, and Traffic rotations. Some of the highlights were designing a bridge on SH 200 in Northern Idaho and being involved with landslides north of Riggins and near Galena summit.

The EIT program has allowed me the opportunity to attend several classes, conferences, and workshops to enhance my professional development. I would recommend this program to anyone who is passionate about Civil Engineering.