VDOT News - Bristol

BRISTOL – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announces the following new hires and recent job transfers:

Joey Barker, Communications Specialist Senior
Joey Barker recently joined VDOT’s Bristol Communications office in the role of Communications Specialist Senior. He will be responsible for assisting with communications with local and regional media, government officials, non-profit and private sector organizations and the public. Prior to joining VDOT, Barker worked with WCYB-TV 5 since 2005 in the role of news producer and most recently as assignment manager. He is a 2004 graduate of Emory & Henry College and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and economics. Joey and his wife, Brandy, have two daughters: Bryleigh and Tenley.

Jeff Harrison, Abingdon Residency Administrator
Jeff Harrison recently began his role as VDOT Abingdon Residency Administrator, responsible for overseeing the residency’s $7 million maintenance budget and the residency’s 71 employees and five facilities. The Abingdon Residency services over 3,000 lane miles of roads in Washington and Smyth counties.
Prior to joining VDOT, Harrison served as design and construction coordinator for Johnson City Public Works where he managed a $4 million annual budget for paving operations and a $4-6 million annual capital improvements budget. Harrison is a native of Bristol, Va.

Pamela Heath, Abingdon Assistant Residency Engineer
Pamela Heath recently transferred to the VDOT Abingdon Residency as Assistant Residency Engineer. Heath will be responsible for assisting the residency administrator with delivering the Abingdon Residency’s $7 million maintenance program.
Heath began working for VDOT in October 2000 as an engineering technician in the right of way division. She has also served in engineering roles in VDOT Bristol’s traffic engineering and land use teams. Most recently, she served as Wytheville Residency Assistant Residency Administrator. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Old Dominion University and is a graduate of Patrick Henry High school in Glade Spring. Pam and her husband, Ken, reside in Marion.

Matthew Lewis, Interstate Maintenance Office Manager
Matthew Lewis was recently promoted to the role of Interstate Maintenance Office Manager for the VDOT Bristol District. In his new role, Lewis is responsible for emergency and incident response operations and preventative maintenance activities along interstate highways in Washington, Smyth, Bland and Wythe counties. In 2013 while employed by Pillar Engineering, Lewis began working as interstate roadway monitor consultant for VDOT. In 2018, he accepted a job with VDOT as Abingdon Residency Interstate Supervisor and in 2021 was promoted to Abingdon Residency Assistant Resident Administrator. Lewis and his wife, Lindsay, reside in Chilhowie with their two children: Piper and Pacer.

Allan Sumpter, Wise Residency Administrator
Sumpter recently transferred to the VDOT Wise Residency Administrator role, responsible for overseeing the residency’s $11 million maintenance budget and the residencies 120 employees and nine facilities. The Wise Residency services over 5,300 lane miles of roads in Wise, Dickenson, Scott and Lee counties. Prior to transferring to Wise, Allan served as Abingdon Residency Administrator. Additionally, he served as Wise Residency Administrator from 2010-2019.

Sumpter graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in civil engineering in 1988. He is a native of Jonesville, Va.  (END)

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