Ms. Edmonds serves as Infrastructure Coordinator in DDOT’s Transportation Operations Administration (TOA). Ms. Edmonds started her career with the District a little over 11 years ago. Previously she served as Administrative Assistant in District Councilmember Sharon Ambrose’s office from 1999 to 2001. She went on to work in the Office of the City Administrator (OCA) where she became an Executive Assistant. Towards the end of her experience at OCA, Ms. Edmonds served as the Ward 5 Neighborhood Service Coordinator from 2001 to 2005. In 2005, she was hired by the Department of Transportation as an Administrative Coordinator with the System Inspection Oversight Division (SIOD) from 2005 through December 2009.

Today Ms. Edmonds works in DDOT’s Field Operation Division and plays a critical role in ensuring that our roadways remain safe for all users. She is responsible for coordinating her agency’s response to the many requests they receive directly from residents and the District’s 311 customer center regarding roadway signage and pavement marking issues. Her daily efforts include handling customer service calls, working with various supervisors, the pavement marking crew and other crews to facilitate field investigations and necessary repairs.

Ms. Edmonds provided the following responses to the questions listed below:

Key accomplishments achieved at DDOT
Ms. Edmonds shared she is often referred to as “Ms. Dependability”. She takes pleasure when someone says, “we know if anyone can do it, it is you.” She strives to see that residents and staff are satisfied with the responses she provided them and realizes that she is not the only player when it comes to dealing with both her internal and external customers. Ms. Edmonds has been instrumental in assisting with the creation of several programs, as well as administrative procedures that are now being utilized as a model by other divisions within DDOT.

Greatest influences / role models in your career?
Those that have influenced Ms. Edmonds in her career include her church pastor and various members of the DDOT team such as Terry Bellamy, Lamont Regester, Kemi Osigbesan and Angela Pettus. Ms. Edmonds shared that they push her to go the extra mile and indicated that their respective experiences and roles within the DDOT organization have given her the motivation and determination to go further. Ms. Edmonds also takes pride in the “sisterhood” she has developed while working at DDOT. Connie Wheeler, Ms.Osigbesan and Ms. Pettus are among the women that have been a positive role model in her life. Connie Wheeler saw the best in her and allowed her the opportunity to be a part of DDOT. Kemi Osigbesan was key in bridging the gap between things that seemed out of reach for her by simplifying things and making her feel that she was “not too old to learn new things.” Angela Pettus helped to mold and teach her about the areas she was not familiar with and has always been a positive influence in her career. Ms. Edmonds also commented that there’s a sense of camaraderie that she feels with the men that have helped shape her career. Her former and present Pastor mentored her and made it possible for her to have a positive outlook when she sometimes wanted to give up. Mr. Bellamy continues to be a positive role model for her because he continuously seeks her input. Ms. Edmonds said this means a lot to her and that she appreciates that her input is respected. Ms. Edmonds also continues to seek mentorship and guidance from her former boss at SIOD (Mr. Regester) whom believes in her ability and goals and has been instrumental in helping her make decisions about the various steps she takes DDOT.

Greatest role models in your career?
Ms. Edmonds greatest career role model is Maya Angelou. Ms. Edmonds described that she (Maya Angelou ) experienced a lot of trauma in her life and yet came out on top and became a Poet Laureate. Ms. Edmonds shared she has experienced great adversity and yet has never used it as a crutch to hold her down but instead has chosen to use it as a stepping stone to achieve greatness in her life. “I have adult children and I want them to be proud of their mother,” said Edmonds.

What do you appreciate the most about DDOT?
Ms. Edmonds shared that because of the people that she has the opportunity to work with at DDOT she has grow both professionally and as a human being. “I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people and work with a lot of great people,” said Edmonds. “This position, has taught me how to work in a team setting and how to work with varying personalities. Above all, DDOT has given me an opportunity to work in an environment that allows me to expand my knowledge in various areas.”