10/23/2026
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) held the annual Highway Safety Awards ceremony at the Vermont State House yesterday. These awards are presented to highway safety professionals around the state for their exceptional work and commitment to keeping Vermont’s roadways safe for all users.
2026 HIGHWAY SAFETY AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Rising Star Enforcement Award:
Trooper Alyssa Nozka, Vermont State Police
Officer Jonathan Kalb, Swanton Village Police
Trooper Michael Foley, Vermont State Police
Fletcher Brush Educational Outreach Award:
Daniel Goodman, AAA Northern New England
Ruby Rainault Occupant Protection Award:
Winhall Police and Rescue
Drug Recognition Expert Award:
Master Officer Steven Tiersch, Berlin Police Department
Trooper Elisabeth Plympton, Vermont State Police
William Jenkins Impaired Driving Prevention and Enforcement Award:
Dr. Trisha Conti, VT Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory
Amanda Bolduc, VT Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory
Lieutenant Allen Fortin Lifetime Achievement Award:
Retired Lieutenant and Assistant Judge Kevin Geno, Rutland County
Sergeant Michael Johnson Lifesaver Award:
Senior Patrol Officer Mark Stacey, Vergennes Police Department
More information about the SHSO and the awards can be found on the State Highway Safety Office webpage at https://shso.vermont.gov/.
Thank you to all of our Highway Safety partners who continue to work to make our roads safer for all road users.
Photo 1:
Left to right, front row:
Trisha Conti, PhD, VT Department of Public Safety Forensic Lab
Amanda Bolduc, VT Department of Public Safety Forensic Lab
Trooper Alyssa Nozka, Vermont State Police
Trooper Elisabeth Plympton, Vermont State Police
Trooper Michael Foley, Vermont State Police
Sergeant Jeremiah Rogers, Winhall Police and Rescue
Senior Patrol Officer Mark Stacey, Vergennes Police Department
Left to right, back row:
Daniel Goodman, Manager of Public Affairs and Traffic Safety, AAA Northern New England
Kevin Geno, Retired Lieutenant and Assistant Judge, Rutland County
Officer Jonathan Kalb, Swanton Village Police
Master Officer Steven Tiersch, Berlin Police Department
Chief Derrick Tienken, Winhall Police and Rescue
Officer Shawn Sommers, Winhall Police and Rescue
Photo 2: AOT
Left to right, front row: State Highway Safety Office team
James Whitcomb, Law Enforcement Liaison
Rob Bigelow, Program Coordinator
Allison Laflamme, Administrator
Rachel Noyes, Outreach Manager
Kevin Lane, Law Enforcement Liaison
Joe Flynn, Secretary, Vermont Agency of Transportation
Left to right, back row:
Joshua Schultz, Manager, Operations and Safety Bureau
Ian Degutis, Manager, Traffic Operations and Mobility
Erin Sisson, Deputy Chief Engineer, Highway Division
Danielle Record, Financial Manager, State Highway Safety Office
Jean Carlo Vignatti, Program Coordinator, State Highway Safety Office
Jesse Devlin, Manager, Safe Systems Section
