OVERBROOK, KS — Director of Operations J.O. Adams retired in 1982 and started farming full time. And now, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Director of Field Operations Clay Adams will continue in his father’s footsteps when he retires.
Clay spent three summers at KDOT while attending Kansas State University and then worked 13 years at a construction company in Kansas City. He and his wife, Patti, were looking to move to the country when his parents decided to sell their farm. With the move to the farm, Clay applied at KDOT and became a Staff Engineer in the Bureau of Construction and Maintenance in 1991.
“Dad was glad to see me come work for KDOT,” Clay said.
During his career, he served as District One Maintenance Engineer, District One Engineer, Chief of the Bureau of Maintenance, and the five years in his current position where he oversees the six districts and the Bureau of Maintenance.
“I’ve always tried my best to advocate for field staff for pay increases and better materials, equipment, and resources to do their jobs,” Clay said. “Sometimes I was successful, sometimes I was not, but I never gave up trying.”
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Clay said he has enjoyed working at KDOT and appreciated his managers who mentored him, especially Steve Woolington.
Now, he will join his wife working on the ranch raising a herd of Dexter cattle, spraying noxious weeds, and baling hay.
