The Texas Travel Information Center in Orange held its 8th Annual Orange Means Safety event June 2. Manuel Ramon took over as supervisor of the information center about seven months ago and this was his first safety day at the center.
Ramon grew up in West Orange and graduated from Orangefield High School. He served four years of active duty with the United States Air Force including two tours overseas before serving in the active reserves and getting his college degree from Lamar University.
After several years working on the leadership team with the YMCA in Mid-Jefferson County, Ramon was hired by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to be the supervisor at the travel information center in Orange. Ramon expressed that the job has exceeded his expectations. The experienced and knowledgeable staff with a lot of leadership has made it a lot easier on him. He admits a part of him is drawn to service, customer service, and Ramon enjoys being able to help people. “I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the TxDOT team and hope this can be my career and position,” Ramon stated.
In his first year as the center’s supervisor Ramon has met some interesting visitors coming to the first stop in Texas. During Christmas he got to meet Santa Claus in his red garb preaching the Gospel under the iconic star at the middle of the travel information center’s property. Another morning Ramon suggested to a young man looking for a Pokémon that it might not be advisable to climb the fence in order to wade out into the swamp to get on the boardwalk at the center since there were snakes and alligators that definitely can be found around the boardwalk. The young man opted to wait for the center to open at 8:00 AM. “I think that is a good decision for a video game,” Ramon commented to him.
The Safety Day is to promote safety on the highway, out doors, and at home. Many agencies join TxDOT in sponsoring the annual event. Texas Parks and Wildlife was a co-sponsor of the event and had some reptiles with them at the travel information center.
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