Renee Devine named Driver's License Examiner of the Year
If you knew Renee Devine, you liked Renee Devine. Devine, an 18-year veteran of the Iowa Department of Transportation, was posthumously recognized May 7 as the 2014 Driver’s License Examiner of the Year, after losing a hard-fought battle with cancer June 11, 2014. Accepting the award on her behalf was her husband, Tom, also a fellow DOTer working in the Office of Finance; son, Tim and daughter-in-law, Susan.
In his nomination for Driver’s License Examiner of the Year, Mark Voss, Devine’s supervisor, provided glowing examples of her dedication to customer service and safety, and her outgoing and caring nature. Voss said, “Renee provided wonderful customer service to everyone she dealt with. She had the skill to connect with people of all ages. There was not a person that Renee did not treat with respect and care. The more difficult the person, the more she took it as a challenge to achieve a positive outcome.”
In her 15 years as an examiner in the Ames driver’s license station, Devine took on any task that was asked of her. Voss said, “She was always the first to get out and provide snow removal for the station, including clearing the commercial driver’s license course so we could see the lines for the skills tests. She was a wonderful trainer, taking new employees under her wing and making sure they were fully trained at their job. Not only did she train employees in our own station, she worked with many county employees when the county treasurer's offices began issuing driver’s licenses. Renee had a deep knowledge of our policies and procedures and could share them in a way that people understood.”
Devine had a knack for breaking down complicated ideas into understandable pieces, and being able to relate them back to safety, especially for teens who historically demonstrated less-than-safe behaviors behind the wheel. Voss said, “When she did remedial driver improvement interviews, she provided information to both the young driver and to their parents on the importance of safe driving. She would encourage safe driving behaviors and use examples of poor behaviors and how they could have tragic results. Renee felt very strongly about the importance of giving the interview the full allotment of time, making sure the interview was worth the time spent. I am positive that she made a difference in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of young drivers and parents.”
Voss added, “Renee was also an excellent presenter at driver education classes and senior driver meetings. For older drivers, she gave many safe driving tips that would enable them to drive safely for years.”
Voss expressed his appreciation for Devine’s wonderful, caring attitude for everyone, whether she had ever met them or not. In his nomination, he wrote, “For many years, she would provide school supply care packages for homeless kids in Houston, Texas. When she was in the hospital, she would make hats and IV bag covers for kids in the pediatric oncology unit. For many years she would take food and treats to the hospice house in Ames, which sadly, was the very place she lost her cancer fight.”
The Iowa DOT was privileged to call Renee Devine one of our own. She will be fondly remembered for both her professional skills and caring nature for many years to come.