Retiring County Project Manager Wayne Kohlrust surrounded by his family from left, daughter Cecilia and son-in-law Hung Pham, Kohlrust and wife Cathy, and son T.J. daughter Caryn Saeger and grandchildren from left, Nathaniel Pham and Joe, Cianna and Chloe Saeger gathered for the retirement event last Friday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne expresses appreciation to retiring County Project Manager Wayne Kohlrust, second from right, for his 24 years of dedicated service to the County, during a retirement event held Friday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
“When he announced his retirement I was overjoyed and terrified at the same time, as I realized I was losing my anchor.” –County Project Manager Anthony Strain
Los Alamos County Project Manager Wayne Kohlrust has retired after a 24-year career serving the County and community.
County officials, colleagues, friends and family members gathered last Friday at Fuller Lodge to honor Kohlrust for his longtime service. It was clear that for many in attendance, seeing Kohlrust retire was a very emotional experience.
Kohlrust joined the County as Deputy Public Works Director on Oct. 18, 1999, overseeing Facilities, Streets and Roads, Custodial and Parks.
“I stayed in that position for about five years,” he said. “Not long after being hired the Cerro Grande Fire started and we worked six days a week doing fire recovery work. We worked through that Fall with the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team. They were a very professional group to work with. Ray Sisneros the solid waste manager was part of the team working on the ‘clean up the town contract’ that involved us removing all of the debris from the burned homes including ours on Ridgeway through 2001 and 2002.”
Kohlrust recalled that Sisneros and his wife had a trip planned to Hawaii to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary so he finished the contract for Sisneros.
In 2004, Kohlrust became the County Projects and Programs Coordinator. That same year the County implemented a new project management philosophy with a new software program to standardize the program.
“I worked with the Utilities Manager, Public Works and the County Engineer and it was about a two year process to get that implemented and off the ground … that program is mostly in use today,” he said.
In 2009, Kohlrust became the Internal Services Manager overseeing, Facilities, Custodial and Fleet for about 2.5 years before becoming a Project Manager in 2012. He has managed some $60 million worth of contracts involving every single County facility in one fashion or another.
“The highlight of my career has been all of the people that I’ve worked with … it takes a lot more than just the project manager to bring a project to successful completion,” Kohlrust said. “It takes the purchasing folks, attorneys who deal with bids, the electricians, plumbers, the gas, water, sewer guys. You get attached to these folks.”
Officials and Colleagues Commend Kohlrust
Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne spoke of his gratitude for Kohlrust’s many contributions.
“Wayne is a great caretaker. Throughout his career, he’s taken great care of our facilities, he’s taken great care with his work, and he’s an ideal employee,” Lynne said. “I am grateful for all of Wayne’s contributions to the County.”
Deputy County Manager Anne Laurent expressed her appreciation of Kohlrust as a resident and a professional with the County.
“Wayne’s dedication and care for the County, both as a resident and professionally, is inspiring and heartwarming,” she said. “I can’t thank him enough for all of his community minded efforts and friendship. He is the guy who not only would answer the call for assistance anytime and anywhere, he was so happy to be the one you called and asked. I’m so happy for Wayne and look forward to hearing about his future adventures.”
Kohlrust hired Anthony Strain 17 years ago. Strain eventually became a project manager. He described the bond he formed over the years with Kohlrust.
“I first met Wayne in May of 2006 when I came to work for him in facilities as a construction specialist,” he said. “A story that I’m fond of telling is of our first disagreement when I typed up an email describing my displeasure with him and sent it to him … while I inadvertently also sent it to the whole county. Wayne calmly approached me and replied, ‘You make some good points but maybe next time you just want to send it to me and not the whole county!’ The man had a sense of humor that I so identified with, we became good friends. Throughout our 17+ years together we shared many triumphs and tragedy. He always has been there for me, and many others of course, when I needed advice, an opinion or just a shoulder to lean on. When he announced his retirement I was overjoyed and terrified at the same time, as I realized I was losing my anchor. He has profoundly impacted my life in so many ways I couldn’t begin to describe. My Brother in Christ, may peace always be with you.”
Family Honors Wayne Kohlrust
Kohlrust’s wife Cathy spoke of the esteem she holds for her husband of 38 years.
“For his career, Wayne chose to work in city and county government because he felt it was where he could best be of service to others,” she said. “I am proud of Wayne for his years of dedication to this community and his desire to give his best working alongside many good people. I am proud of him, too, for his willingness to step away from the job he loves to devote time to the medical needs of our family.”
Daughter Caryn Saeger praised her father for always helping those in need.
“I learned a lot in watching my dad’s work ethic and his ability to help others at work. It didn’t matter who you were, job title, pay grade, working or a different division. If help was needed, he was there,” she said. “If he was on vacation and someone at work needed help, he was always only a phone call away. He taught me to always pay attention to those around me; everyone is struggling with their own things so make sure you are nice and helpful to everyone you meet. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen him stand up for someone he felt was getting walked on. And the more responsibilities he was given, the more he outpoured to the rest of his work family. I’ve always been so proud of him working for the County. And seeing all the projects he’s done and how they’ve completely changed the town, I’m even more proud of him. He’s been not only an amazing dad, but an amazing man to look up to.”
Daughter Calysta Kohlrust, who lives in Denver, Colo., commended her father’s work ethic.
“Growing up, my father was always my example of stalwart work ethic. I now recognize this dedication comes from my dad’s deep love for community,” she said. “Los Alamosians would use the pool and the skate park, they’d drive on the salted roads in winter, they’d celebrate weddings and recitals at Fuller Lodge, and so he poured himself into the details of his work. He honored his community by giving his best, and in so doing, my dad embodied for me how ‘love of neighbor’ is revealed in the everyday things – in paint color, in salt, in elevators and handrails.”
Son T.J. Kohlrust, who lives in Athens, Ga., spoke of the virtues he has learned from watching his father work.
“I learned a lot from watching my dad work here for the past 24 years: dedication, loyalty, courage, perseverance,” he said. “The lesson we could all take from watching him though, is that success is less about your own ability and more through how well you build up those beneath you and help them to succeed. I think if more of those in management kept this in mind, the landscape of today’s work culture would be dramatically improved.”
Daughter Cecilia Kohlrust Pham, who lives in Denver, Colo., spoke of the impact she sees that her father has made on the community.
“I’ve seen how my dad made a lasting impact on Los Alamos through his ability to recognize and remember those around him, no matter their importance on a hierarchical level. Everyone’s needs matter and although one cannot do everything for everyone, my dad did his best to incorporate the variety of opinions to create places that can be enjoyed and used by all. I see this in a new light as I visit the town with my special needs son. It’s rare to see a small town that has worked for so long to be accessible to all, and I hope that Los Alamos continues this legacy.”
Retirement Plans
Kohlrust and his wife intend to lease out their home in White Rock while they move to Denver to help take care of some medical needs of family members.
“We are hoping to move back to White Rock in a couple of years and do what retired people do,” he said.
Scene from the retirement event held for County Project Manager Wayne Kohlrust Friday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com