Kathy Liebler

Manager, Public Affairs & Media Relations


C  O  M  M  I  S  S  I  O  N       N  E  W  S       R  E  L  E  A  S  E

Contact:  

Joe Agnello, (724) 755-5262,  (724) 755-5142 fax
e-mail: jagnello@paturnpike.com

March 28, 2003 


BILL RITCHEY RECEIVES STATE’S COMMUNITY SERVICE
 AWARD FOR SENIOR INSPECTORS

William H. Ritchey, a 20-year Turnpike Commission employee and a Construction Manager since 1997, received the Community Service award at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s annual Senior Inspector-In-Charge Conference held recently in State College.

Ritchey, 51, a resident of Saxton village in Liberty Township, Bedford County, is president of the Tussey Mountain School Board and was instrumental in a project to upgrade the high school football facility, which opened for the 2001 season.

He also serves as vice president of the St. Luke Cemetery Association and as a member of the Raven Run Brethren Church’s Pavilion Committee.

“We are privileged to have Bill as one of our Construction Managers and we are proud of his accomplishments and service to his community,” said John Ozimok, the Turnpike’s Construction Engineer Manager.

Ritchey was one of 12 nominees for the state’s Senior Inspector-In-Charge of the Year award. The award is given to the Construction Manager/Resident Inspector who best exemplifies the principles of partnering, safety, innovation, communication, staff development and project management.

Each of 11 PENNDOT Engineering Districts across the Commonwealth, as well as the Turnpike Commission, nominates one candidate for consideration.    

Ritchey began his career at the Turnpike Commission in June 1983 as an Engineering Assistant in the Construction Department. He has managed numerous roadway, structure and plaza projects in Districts 1 and 2, covering the first 200 miles of the Turnpike from its western terminus.

Projects under his supervision included a $10.5 million bridge replacement four miles east of the Somerset interchange, a $6 million expansion of the Midway Service Plaza, $7 million worth of overhead bridge replacements in Somerset County and the recent milling and paving project between the Donegal and Somerset interchanges.

“I like the responsibility of the position and working in the field with the contractors,” said Ritchey.

Ritchey married the former Anita Koplets in 1971. They have four daughters (the youngest still at home in Saxton) and five grandchildren.

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 P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649