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NYSATE Section 8 is proud to announce that Keith R. Faucher has been selected as Engineer of the Year for 2008.

Keith began working for NYSDOT in July 1970 as an Engineering Aide. His first year was spent in the Design Group assisting in the setup of the Record Plans room in the “new” building on Burnett Boulevard in Poughkeepsie.

In the spring of 1972, Keith was assigned to the Construction Group as an inspector on highway and bridge rehabilitation projects. Over the next ten years he took and passed all of the Technician series exams, reaching the title of Principle Engineering Technician.

Following a brief hiatus in the private sector, Keith was reinstated by the Civil Service Commission to the title of Senior Engineering Technician in 1985, when he assumed the duties of Regional Bridge Inventory and Inspection Coordinator for Region 8.

In February of 1990, Keith was promoted to the title of Civil Engineer I in the Traffic and Safety Group, where you can find him today, as design reviewer and construction liaison for traffic signal contracts.

Keith has been an active member of NYSATE Section 8 since 1977. He was elected State Director from 1999- 2004, serving the maximum three terms allowed by the local constitution.

Throughout his membership, Keith has helped organize and promote such activities as softball and bowling teams, Sports Night and the Road Rallye. He has helped with the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup, editing the newsletter, Hot Dog lunches, school visits, Day of Golf and has served as chief lobster cook for the Annual Outing for many years.

Keith has attended many annual conferences and served on the Hospitality Room Committee from 1987 – 1994, as well as serving as co-chair of the Entertainment committee for Section 8’s 1997 conference. He is currently a member of the Exhibitor committee for our 2008 conference.

In the community, Keith has been involved with his church, the Boy Scouts and the Hyde Park Soccer League. He served on the Labor Management Child Care Committee and has been actively involved with PEF.

Some of the many charitable organizations which have benefitted from Keith’s service are the Community Action Center, Habitat for Humanity and the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, delivering meals to elderly shut-ins. His most rewarding work has been with Literacy Volunteers (now known as Literacy Connections), teaching reading skills to students of all ages.

Keith enjoys skiing, golf and is an avid kayaker. He recently married his sweetheart of 17 years, Terry. They reside in Hyde Park, where they are visited by his four grown children and 11 grandchildren, including two step- and four foster children.

Keith will undoubtedly represent our section well at the statewide competition. Congratulations Keith!

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NYSATE Section 8 is proud to announce the 2007 Engineer of the Year is Jean Gunsch.

Jean Gunsch started her career with the Department in 1978 as a clerk in the Traffic Engineering and Safety Group. In 1980, Jean was promoted to an Engineering Aide in the Traffic Control Unit. By 1983, Jean had risen through the ranks to a Principal Engineering Technician in the Traffic Control Unit and was responsible for conducting traffic studies and analyzing safety problems on state highways and assisting local municipalities with these issues on off system highways. In 1987, Jean was promoted to a CE1 and assigned as a county traffic control investigator. One of the tasks of this position was providing expert testimony in Supreme Court Cases involving the Department. During her career as a CE1, Jean was recognized with awards from the Commissioner, the Regional Traffic and Safety group and the NY State Police.

In 2003, Jean accepted an appointment as a Senior Transportation Analyst in the NY Metropolitan Planning Organization working within the Region 8 Planning and Program Management Department. As a member of this group Jean assists in the development of the Transportation Improvement Program and coordinates activities for several transportation councils in our Region and maintains a database for TIP updates.

Jean has been a member and active participant of Section 8 for 26 years. She has served Section 8 as a two term vice president, a local board member and on several committees.

Jean has volunteered for several groups including SEFA, CSEA, and the Town of Hyde Park. Currently, she is a member of the newly organized Region 8 Toastmasters public speaking club, and serves on the Supervisory Committee of the DOT Federal Credit Union. Congratulations Jean!