Michelle O'Neill receives top MDOT employee award

LANSING, Mich. - Kalamazoo-area resident Michelle L. O'Neill, P.E., is among six recipients of the 2024 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director's Award, the department's highest employee honor for outstanding service. MDOT established the annual award more than 30 years ago to recognize those who exhibit leadership and exemplary public service.

"With a reputation for professionalism and sound results, Michelle has built a wide-reaching bridge and structures program that touches every MDOT region, bureau and Transportation Service Center (TSC) across the state," said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. "She serves the department with distinction thanks to an expert eye and a knack for collaboration."

O'Neill, honored in the professional, supervisor - engineer category, prioritizes employee well-being and growth by actively promoting professional development opportunities and continually finding ways to create a supportive and inclusive environment. She leverages employees' strengths by identifying tasks that align with their skills and interests and actively identifies cross-training opportunities for employee growth and enrichment.

When the Lansing TSC contacted O'Neill regarding a retaining wall failure, she understood the risks posed to both pedestrians and the motoring traffic alike and provided immediate support. Typically, ancillary funds are used for inspection services and program development. However, O'Neill not only freed up funding, she and her team even led the design of the new wall. During the process, she kept the TSC well informed and the project moving forward quickly. Going far beyond the scope her program, O'Neill was instrumental in advancing the project, with minimal impact on the public.

The Director's Award program represents the various work categories within the department. While MDOT employees nominate their peers, committees comprised of workers from each category make the final recommendations to the department.