How long did you work in highway safety?

I retired after 30 years and seven months. I started with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in May of 1991 as a Driver Improvement Plant Coordinator and retired as the Assistant Commissioner for Driver Services, Vehicle Services and Data Management Services.

What accomplishments from your career are you most proud of?

When I oversaw the DMV’s Medical Review Program and Medical Review Services Unit, we transitioned from a paper-based system to digital. That was a tremendous effort that took us out of the dark ages. Over the years, we also staffed up with medical professionals, who could conduct medical reviews based on the details of each individual case. I’m also proud of my efforts to guide and develop individuals with whom I worked. We could have new technology. We could have the finances. But when it came right down to it, it was people who were responsible for the work, so we had to really grow and develop them. I think those efforts contributed to success in the various activities along the way.

How does it feel to be honored with the AAMVA Lifetime Achievement Award?

I was truly surprised to get the news. I always worked hard to work collaboratively and do my best to make improvements where I could, and to treat my coworkers and anyone with whom I interacted and supervised with respect. So I’m extremely honored.

Now that you’re retired, what are you doing with your free time?

I really love working in my yard. It’s therapeutic and relaxing, and I love sharing flowers with people. My husband and I are also leading up the Christian education ministry at our church. And I recently started volunteering as a tutor with an adult literacy program. That’s been extremely rewarding.

How and why did you get into law enforcement?

I was a biology major in college, and while there, worked as a resident assistant. As an RA, I got to meet a lot of campus police officers and through my interactions with them, as well as knowing some people in law enforcement, my interest was sparked. At the end of my college career, my choices were working in a lab or applying for a job with the Delaware State Police. I applied to the state police, got hired and never looked back.

What has your career journey been like?

I’ve had interest in all different types of work, both criminal and traffic, but as I just said, I was a biology major. I’m kind of a science-oriented person, so when I learned what they did in our collision reconstruction unit, I became very interested in that and enrolled in our academy to do coursework in advanced collision investigation. Once I took that coursework, that was kind of my entire path. As I got promoted, I moved out of direct traffic investigation, but I still remain peripherally attached.

How does it feel to be honored with the AAMVA Lifetime Achievement Award?

It feels wonderful. My time with AAMVA has not been long, but I’ve come to like all the people on the committee that I work with and everyone that I have contact with. I’m retiring at the end of the year and feel sad that I won’t be able to continue to participate. It’s an extremely valuable organization.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I’ve camped all my life. At the age of 55, I’m realizing sleeping on an air mattress isn’t quite the thing anymore. My wife and I might transition to a travel trailer in the next few years.

Listen to our AAMVAcast episode with Millicent Ford here: tinyurl.com/mt3baaj9

And listen to Major Matthew Cox’s episode here: tinyurl.com/mw9f7yf6