Welcome to the On the Move newsletter, your gateway to the latest developments and initiatives brought to you by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Whether you're a commuter, a contractor, or simply interested in the future of mobility, our newsletter keeps you updated on infrastructure projects, safety measures, and innovative technologies shaping the way we move.
February 2026 Edition
NDDOT welcomes new CFO
Nicole Lagasse was named NDDOT’s new chief financial officer on January 1. She is new to the job, but not new to the agency, having spent the previous two years as the assistant CFO.
“I look forward to taking what’s been done in the division and hopefully making financial info more accessible and easier to understand,” she said.
Nicole is mom to two boys, Nolan, 13, and Jayber, 7. Her husband, Ross, is a civil engineer for the city of Bismarck. They enjoy curling in the winter, biking when weather allows, and all kinds of travel.
“I love traveling and have always had a curiosity about the transportation industry. I’m a ‘big picture’ person so while I'm traveling, the mechanics, logistics, and concerns cross my mind. Now I’m part of the mission to safely move people and goods,” she said.
Interacting with staff has been one of the highlights of working at NDDOT, she said. “Everyone that I work with is amazing. I love my finance team but even working across divisions has been enjoyable.”
Nicole holds a bachelor's degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota. She’s been working for the State of North Dakota since 2010.
Congratulations on the new role, Nicole!
DOT recognizes employees’ hard work throughout the year
Each year, the North Dakota Department of Transportation opens internal nominations for its annual employee recognition awards. Employees submit nominations, and a selection committee reviews them to choose winners. Employees from all eight districts and the Central Office are honored with Employee of the Year and Safety Employee of the Year awards. This year’s winners are:
Bismarck District
Safety Employee of the Year - Terry Hermanson
Employee of the Year - Jesse Nissen
Devils Lake District
Safety Employee of the Year - Ben Hannesson
Employee of the Year - Brad Deplazes
Dickinson District
Safety Employee of the Year - Shingi Makanya
Employee of the Year - Mark Pittsley
Williston District
Safety Employee of the Year – Darren LeRohl
Employee of the Year – Al Russo
Minot District
Employee of the Year - Jayden Gunville
Valley City District
Safety Employee of the Year - Julius Schrenk
Employee of the Year - Drew Dockter
Fargo District
Safety Employee of the Year – Jon Lee
Employee of the Year – Erik Sather
Grand Forks District
Safety Employee of the Year – Tyler Harlow
Employee of the Year – Doyle Aas
Central Office
Safety Employee of the Year – Curt Malafa
Employee of the Year – Whitney Ibach
Winners were announced during each district’s annual holiday gathering, where employees heard from a guest speaker, reviewed yearly goals, discussed safety topics, and took part in team-building activities. We appreciate our employees’ leadership, ingenuity, and commitment to NDDOT’s mission of safely moving people and goods.
Congratulations to all of our Employee and Safety Employees of the year! We look forward to seeing them grow in the roles and responsibilities at the NDDOT and continue to make positive impacts across the department.
Grand Forks Central High School launching Vision Zero program
Grand Forks Central High School, the state’s oldest public high school, officially joined the Vision Zero Schools program at the end of January.
The initiative aims to transform students into safety advocates, equipping them with leadership skills to promote safe driving habits. Administrators say the decision for an institution with 140 years of history to join the program sends a clear message: Safety is non-negotiable, and investing in the futures of young people requires protecting their lives today.
The school has partnered with Vision Zero since 2021. During that time, Northeast Regional Coordinator Kaitlin Atkinson has visited health classes to provide instruction on the dangers of reckless and distracted driving.
Principal Jon Strandell said the program offers a dual benefit for the student body. “Not only is the mission of Vision Zero something that is very important to our entire state, but particularly the young people of our state,” Strandell said. “It provides an opportunity for some of our student leaders to learn about and practice some really important skills while reinforcing safe habits with all of Grand Forks Central.”
Student leaders strategized the launch to include placing high-impact safety messaging in the gymnasium and at shared athletic fields used for football and soccer. The group has also integrated safety reminders into morning announcements, the school website, and public service announcements during sporting events.
The Vision Zero Schools program operates on the belief that when students take ownership of road safety, the goal of zero fatalities moves closer to reality. By establishing these habits early, administrators hope Central’s Knights will carry a commitment to road safety well beyond graduation.
Shaping the future of transportation: 2026 conference preview
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s happening at the 2026 ND Transportation Conference taking place March 10-11 at the Bismarck Convention Center.
Keynote Speaker Rick Denley will present “Reinventing Leadership: Owning Your Impact in Public Service” at 1 p.m. on March 10. Denley is “at the forefront of courageous, people-centric leadership” according to his website. He empowers teams to embrace change, build trust and adapt to growth. He is the author of “Reinvent Yourself: Personal, Positive Growth through any Mess, Movement and Mission.”
Director Ron Henke will give opening remarks, Gov. Kelly Armstrong will speak, and there will be more than 40 breakout sessions, including:
- The ND Moves Statewide Active and Public Transportation Plan
Dave Leingang and Spencer Ulvestad, NDDOT
- Chateau Road Reconstruction - Medora, ND
Adam McGill and Jon Bach, KLJ; Chad Frisinger NDDOT
- Safety Has Always Been Our First Priority – Saving Lives in the 1920s and 1930s
Ben Kubischta, NDDOT historian
Be sure to enjoy networking at the social from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Click below to register and for complete information.
