THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996 TAG: 9602060101
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
WHEN THE VIRGINIA Department of Transportation considers paving dirt roads in Isle of Wight County or in Suffolk, civil engineering trainee Chris Terry investigates.
When a citizen has a complaint about a speed limit, pothole or driveway, he hears about it.
Terry, who works from VDOT's Suffolk office, entered the three-year trainee program about two years ago. It allows college graduates to rotate through VDOT's various departments, learning each one's specialty.
His current assignment is to work on a plan that would turn state-maintained dirt roads into paved roads in Isle of Wight County and the city of Suffolk. Suffolk has eight such roads.
But in Isle of Wight, the job is much bigger.
About 20 percent of the county's state-maintained secondary roads are unpaved, Terry said.
Name: Chris Terry
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? I was born and raised in Portsmouth. I was lucky enough to land a job in the Tidewater area.
Birthdate/hometown: June 23, 1968/Portsmouth
What's your fondest childhood memory? Whizzing around on my Big Wheels. There aren't many speed limits for kids on Big Wheels.
Marital status and children: Married almost two years to Angie; no children.
Pets: One dog and one cat
What was your first job/worst job? Surveying for my friend's dad/laborer for a temporaries company.
Occupation: Transportation engineer trainee for VDOT.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? Home remodeling company specialist in the old-type vintage homes.
What's your favorite hangout? Living room couch with my wife.
Favorite night out on the town? Going out with friends.
Favorite food/drink: Seafood/cherry Coke
Favorite movie/TV show: ``The Hunt for Red October''/``X-Files''
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? Snorkeling in the Bahamas. Angie and I went last August.
I can't resist: Pepperoni pizza
Few people know that: I played junior varsity soccer for Virginia Tech.
Most embarrassing moment: The old Dodge I used to own made it all the way to Farmville, where my wife graduated from Longwood. It broke down in a Dairy Queen drive-thru, and I had to push it through amidst laughter from local high school kids.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? Go traveling: U.S. first, exotic spots next and then Europe.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? My wife told me to go job hunting at the Virginia Employment Commission - that's how I landed my job with VDOT.
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? Probably my attention to detail. It's a must in the engineering profession.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? If I had to choose, Tab Ramos - he's probably the best offensive player for the U.S. World Cup Soccer Team.
Of which achievements are you most proud? Marrying Angie, getting my degree and getting into the newspaper.
Something you wish to say but haven't: Sometimes people might want to think about what they're asking government (including VDOT) for. The solutions may have a back-handed way of leaving them worse off than when they started. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB