Governor appoints Evanston man to commission that oversees WYDOT

Kayne Pyatt, Herald Reporter
Posted 4/19/19

Evanston man appointed to Wyoming Transportation Commission

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Governor appoints Evanston man to commission that oversees WYDOT

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EVANSTON — Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon recently appointed Evanston resident Jon Dolezal to the Wyoming Transportation Commission. Dolezal will represent District 3, which comprises Uinta, Lincoln, Sublette and Teton counties, for a six-year term. 

A former commissioner in Teton County told Dolezal about the position and asked if he was interested. Dolezal said he researched the commission and decided to apply as he thought it would be a good position in which he could serve the people of Wyoming. He applied online and was selected by the governor.

“I was pleased to be chosen,” Dolezal said, “and I have a lot to learn.” 

As a member of the Wyoming Transportation Commission, Dolezal will attend a meeting in Cheyenne on the third Wednesday and Thursday of each month. The Commission serves as the board of directors for the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT).

According to the Wyoming Transportation Commission website, the commission is responsible for planning, construction and maintenance budgets. Responsibilities include formulating, planning and adopting official policy, and the commission is final authority on WYDOT’s rules and regulations. It also approves the short- and long-term-construction programs.  

Commissioners are responsible for publishing notices to bidders, reviewing bids and awarding contracts for any improvements using monies from the State Highway Fund. They are authorized to enter contracts and agreements with the U.S. government relating to road construction and maintenance under the laws of Congress. The commission must approve all purchases of equipment, materials or supplies and all purchases of motor vehicles or highway equipment regardless of price.

The commission has the power to designate state highways and enter agreements with cities, counties and other agencies for construction and maintenance of roads. They can also acquire — by condemnation, purchase or gift — title to land for use in road building, maintenance and to dispose of property no longer needed. 

Dolezal is the chief credit officer of Uinta Bank, located in Mountain View, with a branch in Evanston. He graduated from high school in Mountain View, and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wyoming.

“After graduation from U.W.,” Dolezal said, “I worked for a while as a fly-fishing guide until my wife became pregnant and told me to get a ‘real’ job. I grew up in Mountain View and Uinta Bank began there and it was a little tiny bank. I felt a tie with it, as I lived so close to it. So with my business degree I ventured into banking.”

Dolezal first worked at a bank in Laramie and then at First National Bank in Evanston until the company sold. He then began his career with Uinta Bank in Evanston.

“Uinta Bank in Mountain View was struggling, and then it was sold. The shareholders now have $200 million in assets, and it has really grown,” Dolezal said.

He is married to Jessie Hansen, the daughter of Oop and Irene Hansen of Evanston. They have two sons, 16 and 13 years old. Dolezal is an active volunteer with the Youth Athletic Board of Evanston Parks and Recreation. He has coached many different sports as well as hunting and fly fishing. He and his family are active outdoor enthusiasts.

“I want to stay involved with my sons in activities as long as I can,” he said. “In two years the oldest will be off to college.”  

Dolezal said the stipend for commission members is $50 per month, which hasn’t changed since 1917, though they do receive reimbursements for travel expenses in addition to the stipend.

“I am just learning what my duties are on the commission at this point,” he said, “but I am excited to be serving. My goal is to use my stipend from the Transportation Commission to set up a high school scholarship fund in Uinta Bank’s name.”