Master Road Scholars

Master Road Scholar James Dicey

James Dicey has been the Road Agent in the town of Troy since 1989. Before holding that position he was a laborer in the same town. He worked as a dump truck driver for two years, and then he worked as a machinist in Lawrence, Massachusetts for twelve years.

When Jim was asked why he attends so many classes, he responded, "I believe any knowledge will improve the way I do my job, especially field-related knowledge." He says, "The classes make my job easier for me." Although Jim does not push his employees to attend training, he creates the opportunity and greatly encourages it.

The selectmen in the town of Troy support Jim’s ambition and respect for education. Recently, Jim got the town to come together to build a new 58x60 foot facility to replace the old Department of Public Works garage. It took two summers, $50,000, and 43 town volunteers to complete.

Jim and his wife, Patricia, have five children ranging in age from 16 to 21. His hobbies include camping, bass fishing, and going to the Winston Cup races. Every June, he takes his family to the Poconos for vacation and to see the races.

Congratulations to Master Road Scholar Jim Dicey!

Master Road Scholar Thomas Plourde

Thomas Plourde has spent nine years as the Public Works Director in the town of Mont Vernon. While acting as Public Works Director, he served as a part-time police sergeant and firearms instructor for seven years. He has worked drilling, as well as spending three years as a medic in the United States Army.

Tom grew up in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and graduated from what is now known as Lowell Regional Vocational Technical School with a specialization in upholstery. For the last thirty years, Tom has run his own upholstery business for automotives, boats, and antique furniture. He has also taught furniture upholstery.

Tom’s supervisors are pleased with the time and initiative he has taken to achieve the title of Master Road Scholar. Education is very important to Tom. There are two people who work for him, and he sends them both to training. He believes that "there are as many ways to do a job as there are people doing it," and he likes to better himself by listening and learning.

Tom has been married for twenty-one years to his wife, Terry, and they have two children. His daughter is a senior at Souhegan High School in Amherst, and his son, Tom Jr., is a student at the University of New Hampshire. He will begin working for the UNH Tē Center in the fall.

Scuba diving and target shooting are two of Tom’s hobbies. He owns a semi-automatic baretta he uses for target shooting in his back yard.

Congratulations to Master Road Scholar Tom Plourde!