We believe that our employees are the most important resource that we have available to support us daily in the fulfillment of the “aviation” mission for the State of Texas. They are, as team members, our winning hand. We will continue to showcase employees in Wingtips, so that you can get to know them, their responsibilities and their interests.
Donald Brown
By Marie C. Peinado
Allow me to introduce to you a person who has seen many, many, changes in Texas aviation … you name it! He has seen aviation directors come and go, he has seen legislative organizational changes that included momentarily, a limbo-status for our division, he has transported us safely to new headquarters several times during his tenure. But, mostly Donald has massaged our frustrations from time to time when things are not going our way. He is indubitably our Mr. Fix-it Man! And, NO, it’s not Charles Lindbergh, although he has been here long enough …
Originally hired 28 years ago, come next April, to run the aviation division’s print shop, which he did for fifteen years, Donald’s job description has since evolved because of … guess what? … changes! State agencies decided several years ago to consolidate their print shops. So Donald, without missing a beat, now coordinates our special reproduction jobs and helps with the distribution of our airport directory. Furthermore, Donald, as our division vehicle fleet manager, reserves vehicles for our travel needs, and makes certain that we have available transportation whenever necessary, including overseeing vehicle maintenance when needed. Another important contribution is Donald’s assistance in providing lending services in our aviation video library enrolling new patrons, mailing video requests, monitoring overdue videos, cataloging, and dubbing video tapes. And whenever Donald wants to take a break, he works with special statistical projects, office equipment repair referrals and whatever else is needed to keep this Big Bird flying. And as the “energy bunny” goes, Donald keeps going and going, and going and going …
A native Texan, Donald served his country in the Air Force for four years, statewide. And, as a family man, Donald has been married to Brenda, for 27 years and counting. Brenda and Donald have a daughter, Amber, who is a successful supervisor in the accounting section at one of the state’s leading grocers. Brenda, like her daughter, is an accountant in Austin.
Donald likes to bring things back to life . . . seriously ailing plants, that is … with his green thumb and his plant hospital; and has been known to occasionally diagnose situations and dispense treatments. He also likes to barbecue in his patio most weekends, and to relax with his favorite music.
Edie Stimach
By Marie C. Peinado
I am delighted to introduce to you Edie Stimach, grant manager for TxDOT Aviation Division, Grants Management.
Edie joined the Aviation Division almost 10 years ago, although employed by TxDOT for nearly 12 years. Before Aviation, she worked in the Finance Division for two years and began working with the department as a temporary employee in the Planning & Policy Division.
Edie monitors the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises’ Historically Underutilized Businesses program in Aviation for federal and state compliance purposes. Furthermore, she oversees and manages some airport construction projects for contract compliance.
A career woman with an entrepreneurial spirit, Edie worked in small-business operations, particularly home-based businesses, for approximately five years prior to coming to the department. Moreover, she worked in the construction trade business for 10 years, including three years with a financial credit company. Business-oriented, Edie has consistently been involved with accounting systems in business enterprises, which has enhanced her experience in accounting.
Educationally, Edie attended Concordia University in Austin off and on for some time and is only 32 hours away from getting her Business Administration degree.
Edie has an adult son who lives in Ohio, and she is a doting grandmother to Tara Sanders, IO years old, and Ryan Sanders, 8 years old.
Recently remarried, Edie and her husband, Tommy, bought a new home with acreage near Cedar Creek. She is busy settling into her new surroundings, along with actively being involved in her husband’s tile installation business. Edie, a native Texan, likes gardening, reading, and most outdoor recreational activities.
