The DOT POD

Engineering shapes nearly every aspect of our lives, including the roads and bridges we travel every day. At the New York State Department of Transportation, women engineers are leading major transportation projects, mentoring future professionals, and helping shape the future of transportation across our state.

Every year on June 23rd, International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the outstanding achievements of women engineers around the world and shines a spotlight on the opportunities engineering creates for future generations.

In this episode, Josh and Anya are joined by two outstanding members of our engineering team who have built remarkable careers in public service: Adrienne LiBritz-Cooley is the Director of the Structures Specialty Engineering Bureau in DOT's Office of Structures, and Angelica Naumowicz, Design Squad Leader in the Office of Design.

Josh and Anya are in the City of Buffalo talking about Queen City Forward, an effort that's all about rethinking the future of transportation in Western New York, starting with the Kensington Expressway, also known as The 33.

Joining the show are Queen City Forward Project Assistant Taje Jenkins-Jones, and Ryan Whalen, DOT's Public Information Officer for the Buffalo Region. Both are from Buffalo and are leading this outreach and engagement work.

This episode is all about those iconic structures that connect our communities - supporting our local economies and carrying motorists safely to their destinations every day. We're talking about bridges.

Josh and Anya are in Buffalo to talk with two NYSDOT engineers who are each in charge of a significant bridge project in the region.

Joining the show are Daryl Nolan, the Engineer in Charge for the replacement of the Route 20 Bridge over Cazenovia Creek, and Jen Freaney, the Engineer in Charge for the rehab project on the Chautauqua County Veterans Memorial Bridge on I-86 over Chautauqua Lake.

What if the biggest threat to your workday wasn't an accident or traffic jam, but the equipment humming away on your desk? Today, we are pulling back the curtain on seemingly harmless workplace items and emails that are, in reality, attempts to steal not just your identity, but any kind of information that might prove valuable to bad actors.

On this episode of the DOT POD, we are introducing you to DOT's Cyber Security Team. They comprise a major line of defense, working around the clock to safeguard or systems, protect sensitive data, and stay ahead of sophisticated cyberattacks.

Josh and Anya are joined by DOT's Chief Information Security Officer Paul Centanni, and Cyber Security Analyst Fahad Ansar.

For more information, reach out directly to the Cyber Security Team at DOT.365.CyberTeam@dot.ny.gov.

This episode is launching during National Work Zone Awareness Week. A time to highlight the importance of work zone safety and to remember the men and women who have lost their lives while working to keep our roads maintained and safe.

On March 17, 2006, Patrick Mapleson was filling potholes along Sunrise Highway on Long Island when a driver lost control of his cement truck and crashed into Pat's work zone, taking his life.

This episode was recorded on March 17, 2026 on the same day a tree planting ceremony was held at DOT's Medford Yard on Long Island, marking the 20th anniversary of Pat's passing and honoring his life and legacy.

Josh and Anya were joined by Pat's friend and co-worker Pete Bugala, who was on the job site that day, as well as Pat's daughter Karen Torres who has become an advocate for work zone safety.