It is with great honor and pleasure that Section 11 - Main Office introduces our 2008 Engineer of the Year Ms. Debra F. Hartman. Deb graduated with B.S. Civil/Environmental degree from Clarkson University in 1983. Deb became employed by DOT and joined the NYSATE family in 1984; first in Section 8 and now we are very happy and proud to have her as a very active and dedicated member in Section 11.

Deb started her DOT career as a Junior Engineer in Region 8's Traffic & Safety Group. Her 14 years in Traffic include working as the Columbia & Putnam Counties Safety Investigator and Highway Work Permit engineer. After a 3 year hiatus, Deb joined the Main Office Traffic Safety & Mobility Group. Her work in the MO has included Special Hauling Permits, Work Zone Traffic Control, the Highway Safety Improvement Program, Highway Work Permits and a Statewide Transportation Information Coordination Center operator (STICC).

Deb held the office of Secretary- Treasurer for four terms as well as working very diligently on their Annual Lobster Bake (a world renowned event), various other committees and fund raising events. In acknowledgment of her dedication and many years of service to NYSATE, Deb was awarded an Honorary Membership in 1999 when she left Region 8 for Main Office.

Deb wasted no time staying involved in the Association when coming to Section 11. Deb is a Section Director, a member on our Annual Picnic Committee as well as being on the recent Constitution Review Committee. As you know, Section 11 is hosting NYSATE's Annual Technical Conference 70 in 2010 and Deb is very busy helping our Section prepare. She is an Officer on the Conference Steering Committee as the Recording Secretary, Registration Committee Chairwoman and is a committee member on the Hospitality Committee.

Deb is also very active at work as well as in her community. She was on the 2007 IHEEP Conference Food and Hospitality Committees, served as an Americorp Volunteer tutoring at Albany High's Alternative Night School Program, Main Office "Rainbow" Project - collecting school supplies for over 300 deserving and less fortunate children, Main Office SEFA Volunteer, Equinox Thanksgiving Dinner Volunteer, St. Catherine's Children's Home Christmas Toy Drive Coordinator and AnySoldier.com - which organized and shipped care packages to a squad of American Soldiers stationed in Iraq. The list goes on.

On a personal note, Deb resides in Albany, New York with her husband Mike who just happens to be Section 8's 1999 EOY (I wonder who's EOY plaque will get top billing in their home), their four children who are their pride and joy and their dog Buster. In her spare time...Deb enjoys vacationing with her family on Cape Cod, skiing, golfing, and sewing, just to name a few.

Deb is also a 2008 Engineer of the Year Statewide Finalist. CONGRATULATIONS and good luck in the interviews!!!!

Congratulations' Deb !!!