Montana Department of Transportation

Meet Mabel Beito, Section Person in Crystal Creek, EMT Basic, fishing enthusiast, and #1 Aunt to two nephews.

Mabel was born in Libby, MT. She comes from a close knit family of four and is the eldest of two girls. Her mom is a homemaker and her dad works for the Department of Transportation in Troy. After graduating from Troy High School, Mabel attended Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell for a year. About the same time, she accepted a permanent job at ASARCO. "I took night classes while working at the mine but decided I'd rather work than go to school."

Mabel's employment history is vast and varied, and reflects her commitment to hard work. She worked eight years at a silver mine doing everything from office work to operating the crushers. She pulled lumber at a mill, was a firefighter for the USFS, a law enforcement-dispatcher, and a detention officer. She even processed crabs in the Bering Sea off Alaska! And, in 27 years, she has never had a lost time injury. She also spent time as a volunteer at hospices, dispatch centers, ambulance services and, more recently as an EMT Basic, EMS Captain, and firefigher for Fisher River Valley Fire and Rescue.

After traveling around the U.S. on various jobs, Mabel determined to settle in the northwestern Montana. In 2000, she accepted a temporary winter maintenance position at MDT. "I worked two seasons then landed a permanent position in Polson." After 6 months, she moved north to Rollins and tested for a Section Person postion in nearby Crystal Creek. She landed the job in 2003 and that's where you'll find her today.

As Section Person, Mabel has one permanent employee year round and a temporary employee in the winter. Together, they work to keep their section of Highway 2 safe. She explains, "We check the road for hazards and repair signs, delineators, guard rails and pot holes." They also manage the vegetation and pick up debris. In winter, Mabel and her crew spend their time plowing and sanding. In summer, they keep busy filling ruts, chip sealing and blade patching. Even when there is little snow, there is always something to do. "Many people ask me what we do when there is no snow to plow. I chuckle and say, clean up the messes that winter left behind!"

What Mabel likes best about the job is the excitement. "I'm an adrenaline junkie and find I work better under pressure. Plowing snow gives me my fix!" She also likes the variety and says there is no such thing as a typical day in her section.

Ask Mabel what it takes to do the job well and she will tell you two qualities in particular are essential: self-confidence and self-motivation. In this line of work especially Mabel also recommends leading by example. "I look at the mentors in my life and I respect those that lead by example more than those who stand on the sidelines and coach."

Mabel finds the staff that maintain Montana's roadways generally hardworking and helpful. She says earnestly, "The guys I work with have helped me along, and I want them to know they are definitely appreciated." Mabel says appreciation comes in different forms but the most rewarding is when it comes from the people she serves. "You can't please everyone, but we receive numerous compliments from people who drive Hwy 2 from the Idaho line to Kalispell." That more than anything, contributes to her satisfaction on the job.

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