Employee News
Kirk Allen
We would like to welcome Kirk Allen to State Aid - District 3 as District State Aid Assistant (DSAA). Kirk will not be replacing Brett Stark, rather District 3 will now have two DSAAs. Kirk will assist Brett Stark, DSAA and Angie Tomovic, DSAE in delivering state aid projects and programs. Kirk has over 34 years of MnDOT service, with the last 10 years as a Construction Project Manager – Engineering Specialist Senior. He has experience in providing contract administration and direct engineering supervision of bridge and highway construction projects, ensuring compliance with project plans and specifications and all applicable laws and MnDOT policies. Over the years Kirk has developed partnerships with district operations personnel, governmental agencies, and many key internal and external stakeholders. These relationships will serve him well as he steps into his new role as D3 DSAA.
This additional DSAA position in District 3 was added to address strategic staffing needs in state aid to better facilitate timely responses to local agencies in this district. It was also determined that District 6 will be adding an additional DSAA role in the near future. These additional DSAA’s will also be used to support other districts as needs arise.
Ben Nixa
We would like to weclome Ben Nixa to State Aid Metro as Project Manager. Ben will be working under Phil Bergem in the Cooperative/Municipal Agreements unit.
In 2018, Ben earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. After graduation, he worked for a materials engineering consultant as a Technician. In 2019, he moved to the Twin Cities to work as a Field Engineer at a local materials engineering consultant. In 2020, he started at MnDOT in the Graduate Engineer Trainee program. In 2022, he graduated from the Trainee Program and started working in Metro Materials until coming to State Aid Metro. Phil won him over with his enthusiasm for State Aid during his interview.
In his free time, he enjoys walking, cooking, reading, and bike riding.
Willy Rabenberg
William (Willy) Rabenberg has been selected as District 7, District State Aid Engineer (DSAE). He will start August 14, 2024. Willy is filling behind Lisa Bigham, whom retired in early June.
Willy has a civil engineering degree from Iowa State University. He has over 27 years of experience working as an County Engineer/Assistant County Engineer for various counties in both Minnesota and Iowa. He brings experience and knowledge of federal, state, MnDOT, state aid, and county laws, ordinances, and regulations related to transportation systems with him to MnDOT. Willy is currently serving Clay County Engineer in Iowa until he begins later this month.