These amazing people have some pretty interesting jobs, so we’re bringing you a fun peek into their work world along with a few personal insights. This series will be ongoing, so if you have anyone you’d like to nominate as a potential Spotlight feature, send us an email at [email protected]. Enjoy!
Spotlight on Duane Hill
Duane Hill has served as District Engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) District 1 for 14 years. Over the years, the BBER team has had the privilege of collaborating with Duane on several initiatives. BBER Director Monica Haynes has served alongside Duane on the Duluth Workforce Development Board since 2019, and Duane served as a key subject matter expert for the BBER’s 2023 study, Economic Effects of the Potential I-35 Conversion in Downtown Duluth. Currently, Duane serves as the technical liaison for an ongoing UMN–MnDOT research project examining the socioeconomic impacts of freeway corridor projects.
As Duane prepares to retire next month, we are especially grateful for his years of leadership, partnership, and dedication to northeastern Minnesota!
What does a typical day look like in your job?
Keeping abreast of planning, program delivery, construction, and operations progress for the state’s highway system in northeastern Minnesota and providing input into policy direction for the department relative to how the policy changes will impact our region. My role is to lead our staff of 360 individuals in a way that allows them to grow and develop as individual contributors and leaders in this department.
What do you like best about your current job?
I enjoy problem solving, tactical implementation of our resources to address issues, and proactive discussions about how to best plan for future investments.
What about your current job do you find most challenging?
There has never been enough money available to make investments in our transportation system that solve all the issues that exist. Making trade-off decisions about investments is the most challenging for our staff. It is often challenging to decide how to manage our decisions within the budgets available so that other needs can still be met.
If you could snap your fingers and solve any problem facing our community, what would it be?
Highway safety is a priority for our agency. Almost every day, there are fatal and serious injury crashes that occur and are preventable. The problem is that drivers make poor decisions such as driving too fast, driving impaired, not wearing seat belts, or being distracted. If I could snap my fingers and stop all these behaviors, society would be better off.
What is the most recent thing you’ve read (besides email)?
I just finished reading Unshakeable: Building a Life of Virtue in a World of Chaos by Father Mike Schmitz.
What is something (knowledge or a skill) you would like to learn?
I am retiring in two weeks. I want to become a better cook.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you in your career?
Just say yes when opportunity knocks. I have never regretted taking on a new opportunity.