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IDOT Blog – Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Employee Spotlight Ken Crawford, District 5 Project Implementation Engineer
Ken Crawford has been with IDOT more than 22 years. He has taken on a variety of roles throughout this time, now serving as District 5 Project Implementation Engineer. Below are some of his thoughts about the job and the evolution of his career.
Q. What do you do in your role as Project Implementation Engineer?
I oversee inspection and implementation of contracts at the state and local levels.
Q. What impact does your work have on the state and its residents?
I am responsible for making sure the taxpayer dollar is spent correctly and each contract meets the requirements of its plans and specifications.
Q. What is your favorite part of the job?
Seeing the completion of a large project through from beginning to end.
Q. Beyond your regular work duties, how do you contribute to your profession and community?
I serve on the work zone traffic control committee, storm water committee, safety technical advisory committee and weekly payroll compliance process review team. I am also a volunteer baseball coach.
Q. What education, experience or special training prepared you for your current role?
I received a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and served as a resident engineer from 2000 to 2007. Afterwards, I was a construction field engineer. These experiences helped me to prepare for personnel and construction issues and how to resolve them.
Q. Do you have a mentor who has contributed to your success?
Brad Shotton was the first resident engineer I worked with. He led by example. I learned by watching his work ethic and how he earned respect by not asking someone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. Mike Carnahan was another individual who possessed a lot of knowledge about the position I am in now.
Q. What led you to your career?
I really enjoy working outdoors and receive satisfaction when a project is completed.