Master Roads Scholars

Ron Hansen

Ron Hansen is the Property Manager and Golf Course Superintendent at Eastman Community Association in Grantham. He has worked at Eastman Community for 16 years. He is a certified Golf Course Superintendent, working in golf course management for over 30 years. Ron has worked for private golf clubs in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Iowa. Ron holds an Associates Degree from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelors in Agronomy from the University of Georgia.

Achieving the status of Master Roads Scholar is important to Ron because it demonstrates his and Grantham’s commitment to learning. He believes that training has made him a more effective manager and valued employee. Ron says that, even though he has reached the highest Roads Scholar status, he will continue to take classes. In Ron’s experience, the UNH T2 Center workshops “connect classroom instruction to fieldwork.” Ron says it is very important for everyone to become aware of the “how” and “why” we do things.

Ron is pleased that his employer provides funding and support for him to learn. When he is able to apply what he has learned in the classroom to his job duties, then everyone benefits. Ron says his career has been using soil as a means to grow plants. The UNH T2 Center training has enabled him to expand his duties. He now uses the soil and aggregates for building safe and effective roads.

Ron currently lives in Lebanon. He has been married to his wife, Heather, for 30 years. They share four sons.

Mark Ober

Mark Ober is the Road Agent in Ashland. He has worked for the town for 32 years. Mark began working for the town as a road crew member and became Road Agent about 27 years ago. Previously, Mark made a living by selling hay and milk from his farm which he still owns. He continues to raise beef and sell hay in the summer. Mark’s day starts at 4 on weekdays so he can feed the animals and take care of them before going to work for the town. Mark admits that he sleeps in on the weekends, but he still has to get up early enough to tend the animals.

Reaching Master Roads Scholar status is important to Mark. It has been his goal since he began classes. Mark is proud of his achievement; he says that he will continue to take classes.

Mark is the only Master Roads Scholar in Ashland. It is a memorable achievement among the crew. Another crew member is taking classes and Mark hopes to have another Master Roads Scholar in Ashland. Mark is happy to see the department involved with training and education.

Mark has been married for 12 years and has four kids plus two step-children. Mark’s main hobby is caring for the farm. He has worked the land since he was very young and enjoys it as much as working for the town.

Tom Woodley

Tom Woodley has been Highway Superintendent in the City of Claremont for one year. Previously, Tom has worked for the NHDOT as a construction inspector, owned a recycled asphalt products business for 7 years, and has been the Public Works Director in the Town of Henniker and the City of Franklin.

For Tom, becoming a Master Roads Scholar is secondary to the opportunity to learn from  the UNH T2 Center classes. When he began taking classes, he just wanted to learn and to apply the newly acquired knowledge.

Tom says his department values training opportunity of the UNH T2 Center Roads Scholar Program. He says that the “city has many Roads Scholars, including several seniors, one other Master, and several more on their way.” Tom will continue to take classes since achieving the highest level; he is registered for several this fall.

Tom says, “Thank you” to the UNH T2 Center and FHWA and NHDOT for providing valuable training and resources. He believes that his department has benefited from the opportunity to learn and share knowledge.

Tom has many hobbies and interests. In the winter he likes to spend his time woodworking. In the summer, Tom fishes from his boat on Lake Winnipesauke, Webster Lake, or various rivers throughout the state.

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