|
Employment : MDT Employees
 Stephen Felix
Meet Stephen Felix, Maintenance Superintendent, mule-team driver, bow hunter, and serious sports fan. When Steve isn't working, you'll find him in the mountains riding and packing the three saddle mules he owns. He takes the mules shed elk antler hunting in the spring and bow hunting in the fall. He is also a big NFL football and major league baseball fan. He says grinning, "I attend at least four events each year."
Steve was born in South Dakota and raised in Minnesota. He attended South Dakota State University in Brookings for two years. In 1988, he went hunting in Montana and fell in love with the state and its people. "The wide open spaces, the scenery, and the job opportunities were too good to pass up!" In 1992, Steve made the decision to move and relocated to Bozeman. While living in Minnesota, Steve worked in the asphalt paving business. He did similar work in the Gallatin Valley when he arrived in Montana. In 1998, he came to work for MDT as a temporary plow driver. In less than a year, Steve landed a full time position as a Maintenance Tech I. After attaining Maintenance Tech III status, he was promoted to Section Supervisor in the Carbella Maintenance Section in Paradise Valley. Today, Steve is proud to be Maintenance Superintendent in Butte. As Superintendent, Steve supervises the Butte, Whitehall, Anaconda, Wisdom, Divide, Dillon, Lima, Cricks Camp, and Twin Bridges maintenance sections. "I coordinate crews for general maintenance projects as well as our winter maintenance program." He also plans and supervises pavement preservation projects in his assigned maintenance area. A typical day starts with phone calls. Steve coordinates work plans and contacts contractors to be sure each has adequate equipment and supplies for the work ahead. The rest of the day is spent planning projects or out in the field checking on maintenance operations. "Each day presents unique challenges. That's what makes this job so enjoyable and appealing to me." According to Steve, strong leadership skills, flexibility and adaptability are essential for success in the position. "Doing the right thing doesn't always make you popular, but it's what a good leader does." Steve feels strongly that the best leaders lead by example. "If you don't lead by example, you set yourself up for failure." You need to be able to do the tough jobs as well as the simpler ones." Steve accepted full time work at MDT because he sensed he could contribute to the organization in a positive and meaningful way. "It wasn't just a job, I saw an opportunity for a long term career." In a relatively short period of time, Steve discovered that career and is now working with a great group of people. "There are more quality people working within this organization than any other that I have been associated with. I look forward to coming to work each day and I also look forward to a long and productive career at MDT." |
