New South Central Minnesota regional Toward Zero Deaths coordinator named

MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation welcomes Vanessa Thongvivong as the new Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) coordinator for the South Central region, which encompasses 13 counties in south central and the southwest corner of Minnesota.

Toward Zero Deaths is a traffic safety program that works in partnership with members from education, enforcement, emergency services, and engineering, as well as everyone in the community, to implement programs and activities with the common goal of reducing serious injury crashes and traffic fatalities in Minnesota. The TZD coordinator represents the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety in communicating the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the TZD program.

Thongvivong has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Southwest State University in Marshall, and is a graduate of the Minnesota State Patrol Training Academy. She most recently served as a Minnesota State Trooper, and previously held positions as a senior court clerk and paralegal.

“Vanessa comes to this TZD coordinator position with an excellent background in law enforcement and safety. Her experience will be valuable as she works closely with coalitions, stakeholders, and community groups to reduce serious and fatal crashes in our region,” said Greg Ous, district engineer for MnDOT District 7.

Thongvivong is the first point of contact for the public seeking information about the Toward Zero Deaths program in South Central Minnesota.

Vanessa may be reached at: Vanessa Thongvivong, 507-720-2101 or vanessa.thongvivong@state.mn.us.

For more information about TZD, visit www.minnesotatzd.org.

###