Al Rouse: Featured employee and next in line to punch the clock
“46 days,” Al Rouse said. He is counting the days to retirement. After 18 years with WSDOT, he’ll soon be turning in his building-access badge and picking up a set of golf clubs.
Just after Christmas of 1992, Rouse read a job advertisement in the paper that said, “Looking for people that have a background in lending, appraisal, real estate financing.” He didn’t know what company it was for at the time, but he went ahead and turned in his application. After six weeks, he received a letter in the mail from WSDOT asking him to take a written test in East Selah.
He had a few doubts, so he met with Dave Sagare, WSDOT South Central Region’s real estate manager, (now retired), to discuss the job over coffee. “I think you should take the test,” Sagare said. He passed, and Sagare offered Rouse the right-of-way agent 1 position in March of 1993.
What seemingly was an opportunity taken on a whim, turned into eighteen years of public service with WSDOT Real Estate Services in South Central Region. He worked his way through the ranks of right-of-way agent 1 through 3 before his promotion to property and acquisition specialist 4 and then 5.
“Al’s communication skills are excellent, whether dealing with a property owner, a local agency or his coworkers,” said Bill Hicks, Rouse’s manager. “I like working with people,” Rouse said.
Acquisition has been his specialty with WSDOT. He’s also the local public agency real estate services coordinator. “Al’s role as the local agency coordinator is an important part of our office,” Hicks said. “He does a great job of advising and monitoring local agencies when they acquire right-of-way for their improvement projects.” Rouse also worked closely with the local programs office.
Not only is Rouse a short-timer, he is also the featured employee for the month of June. Why? “Who knows,” Rouse said. “I’ve never tried to make waves.”
“He’s a good employee and works real hard to get things done,” said Brian White, assistant regional administrator for project development.
His last day is June 30. “It’s time,” he said. In his retirement, he wants to play more golf and spend time with his family.
Fun Facts about Al Rouse
- He was born in Vancouver, Canada and raised in British Columbia.
- He went to school to be a school teacher and taught for several years in science and physical education in California.
- He enlisted in the United States Army on a Friday, Aug. 13, 1965 and served in Georgia for two years.
- He moved to Yakima in 1973.
- His mother is 99-years old, and his aunt is 101.
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