Congratulations, Roads Scholar Class of 2020!

March 1, 2021

Fifteen standouts earned their Roads Scholar Maintenance Operations & Technical Certificates in 2020. Although we again are unable to formally honor our graduates in person, we still wish to recognize and thank you for your hard work!

Roads Scholar certificates reward commitment and dedication to continuing education. Graduates improve their skills and increase their knowledge and awareness of best practices and the latest innovations in roadway maintenance.

"This achievement benefits not only you and your employer, but all of us in Minnesota as you work to foster a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation system," says Stephanie Malinoff, Minnesota LTAP’s director.

2020 Roads Scholar Maintenance Operations and Technical Certificate

Brent Adams, City of Golden Valley
Marshall Beugen, City of Golden Valley
John Boland, City of Mendota Heights
Ben Brooks, City of Mankato
Alex Bruch, MnDOT
Michael Coleman, City of Lake Elmo
Joe Effinger, City of Lake Elmo
Zac Good, Baldwin Township
Jon Kirsch, City of Golden Valley
Jiri Klima, City of Golden Valley
Bill Neumann, City of Golden Valley
Travis Nevala, City of Robbinsdale
Jason Schaedler, City of Golden Valley
Jayd Terhell, City of Coon Rapids
Josh Yonak, City of Golden Valley

What our grads say

Marshall Beugen,
Streets and Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor (15 years at the city, 3 years in current role), City of Golden Valley. "There was a lot of good information offered on pertinent subjects. It keeps our staff well informed of new technologies and maintenance strategies. The Roads Scholar Program offers good training at an affordable price and even allowed us to offer group training at the price of one class."

Michael Coleman,
Public Works Operator (3-1/2 years), City of Lake Elmo. Coleman likes best the variety of in-person and online courses and classes. "I’ll take the expansion of knowledge of the latest innovations and best practices and apply them to my current and future work projects."

Alex Bruch,
Road Weather Technology Coordinator (10 years), MnDOT. "I was able to learn new skills and able to implement them into my work practices. It keeps me up to date with current workplace maintenance trends."

Jiri Klima,
Street Maintenance (3 years), City of Golden Valley. "I like that the instructors were very easy to understand and were able to answer all questions. The classes gave me the knowledge I need to do my job more efficiently."

Travis Nevala,
Public Works Maintenance, City of Robbinsdale. Nevala likes best the variety of classes offered in the program. He feels the LTAP Roads Scholar Program will help him in "being able to apply the best practices that are taught in class."

Jason Schaedler,
formerly with the City of Golden Valley (6 years). "I enjoyed the depth of content provided in the program."

John Boland, Public Works Superintendent (2 years), City of Mendota Heights. "I’ve been with the city since 1991 and worked [in] street and park maintenance and as a parks lead worker prior to superintendent. (I also served as a captain on the Mendota Heights Volunteer Fire Department—retired after 21 years.) The knowledge of the instructors was excellent, and their message to network with others in the field couldn’t be more spot on. We have many and new challenges (pandemic, pollinator friendly, deicing chemicals, etc.) all the time that need to be addressed, and solutions need to be found that satisfy our need to do a job that satisfies neighbors on either end of a problem. These types of issues can best be addressed through training with professionals and working with others in the same field to finalize a best practice. I will continue to participate in continuing education through the LTAP program and encourage staff to do the same, so we can all complete tasks as efficiently as possible."