The Extra Mile Mississippi Department of Transportation

The Extra Mile Podcast team took the show on the road to Biloxi to speak with MDOT State Maintenance Engineer Heath Patterson at the State Roadeo.

Show intro/introducing MDOT State Maintenance Engineer Heath Patterson – 00:30History of the Roadeo – 02:14Different events of the Roadeo – 03:37Why MDOT does the Roadeo – 04:57Favorite events to watch – 06:24The Biggest Competitors – 07:56Workplace Safety – 08:52Slow Down in Work Zones! – 10:04Favorite place(s) to eat – 11:33Favorite music/concert(s) – 12:47Show Outro – 13:40

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to break down how the agency fared during the 2024 session and provide other MDOT updates.

Show intro/Brad White intro – 00:45Legislative session wrap-up begins (Recurring revenue) – 01:20Money moving into projects – 03:20Design Build Bill – 04:30Funding – 05:20Capacity projects – 06:05Additional comments on wrap-up – 07:07Favorite place(s) to eat - 08:11Favorite music/concert(s) – 09:21Show Outro – 10:00

MDOT Chief of Staff Jeff Ely joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about updates on capacity projects, the MDOT leadership development program, agency recruitment efforts and much more.

Show Intro/Jeff Ely intro – 01:14Regarding capacity projects – 02:49One-time money put into projects – 04:15Contraflow/Hurricane evacuation – 05:17On professional development program – 08:16Succession planning – 12:40Big capacity projects – 15:40Safety/Work zone awareness message – 19:56Favorite place(s) to eat – 23:23Favorite concert(s) – 24:32Show outro – 25:36Additionally, The Extra Mile Podcast has been selected by panelists as one of the Top 20 Mississippi News Podcasts on the web. MORE: https://blog.feedspot.com/mississippi_news_podcasts/ 

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about how she got started in politics, THUD Bill funding, her January 6 experience, the link between strong transportation infrastructure and economic growth and development and much more.

Show intro/Cindy Hyde-Smith intro – 01:12Relationship with MDOT Executive Director Brad White – 02:18How Cindy Hyde-Smith got into politics - 03:07First impressions on being in office - 04:58Memorable moments/stories from D.C. – 07:58Committees/plans - 12:22Pine Beetle issues - 15:50Other committee focuses – 17:48On visiting home of MS – 20:36Regarding Mike Johnson - 21:57Big accomplishments/Bills - 23:09COVID times – 24:38Nursing shortage – 28:55Transportation Network importance - 31:22Favorite place(s) to eat in MS – 33:12Favorite concert(s) - 35:38Show Outro – 36:27

Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about the need for recurring revenue for Mississippi highways, anti-litter efforts, current projects and future projects possible with more funding.

Show Intro/Willie Simmons intro – 01:14Willie Simmons on being Chairman – 01:54Conversation plan of Conference - 03:04Talks/plans with Legislature – 05:08Greenville Bypass – 09:32Other Projects – 12:07Willie Simmons on littering issue – 14:29Willie Simmons on lighting – 18:27Work Zone Awareness Week – 19:55Willie Simmons new place(s) to eat – 23:52Groundbreaking Ceremony – 25:25Show Outro – 25:57

State Treasurer David McRae joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about his path to public service, promote the Unclaimed Property Program, provide his thoughts on PERS and much more.

Show Intro/ State Treasurer David McRae intro – 01:14David McRae background/position – 01:42Highlights/Big projects as the Treasurer - 04:37Unclaimed Property/Other Programs – 05:55College savings Program/Opportunities - 12:15Starting a College Savings Program - 17:15Importance of Customer Service - 17:50MS Constitution Counting Statement - 18:58The Vault – 19:56The PERS Board - 21:12Healthcare & Pension for state employees - 23:31Understanding Personal Finance - 24:14Legislative agendas - 26:17Greatest Accomplishment as Treasurer - 28:23David McRae’s favorite place(s) to eat – 30:17David McRae’s favorite concert(s) – 32:14Show Outro – 34:49