Kaye Borchers: “Next year we’re going to have to have a cardboard cutout of Craig Eley at our booth so he has time for everyone.”

Booth Group Photo, l-r: Brittany Clinehens, Michael Goettemoeller,
Nick Selhorst, Adam Gill, Derek Luersman, Troy Niese, and Casey Reichert.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas, summer, or even Roundabout Week. It’s time for the Ohio Transportation Engineer’s Conference (OTEC)! And guess what else that means? Traffic Engineer Craig Eley becomes Celebrity Traffic Engineer Craig Eley. Indeed, per the group photo, we assume Craig was so busy posing for selfies with adoring fans that he couldn’t even make it to Choice One’s booth—hence the need for a cardboard stand in.

We understand, Craig, as many of us at Choice One have had our brush with fame. For instance, Dan Perreira has likely received fan mail in response to the mailer featuring his photo (well, at least coworker Eric Kuck sent a postcard once…). We know what a media circus is like—we have clown cars! And Craig Eley isn’t the only Craig signing autographs; surveyor Craig Frilling has been perfecting his signature for years.

Craig Eley eventually navigated through the throngs of rabid OTEC fans to join the rest of the crew for dinner (and graced the group with a selfie**, of course!). Thanks, Craig, for reminding us all that fame is fleeting, but traffic engineering is forever.

Selfie! l-r Craig Eley, Casey Reichert, Allan Heitbrink, Troy Neise,
Adam Gill, Michael Goettemoeller, and Derek Luersman.