The Oklahoman's Bryan Painter wins national reporting award

A 20-year veteran of The Oklahoman's news staff, Painter covers weather and writes a weekly column. In that capacity, he has written several articles and columns on transportation and road safety.

Terri Angier, chief of public affairs at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, nominated Painter for the award. In her nomination, Angier called Painter “a crucial partner to the ODOT media and public relations staff,” informing travelers about construction projects in high-traffic areas of Oklahoma City.

Angier cited a Sept. 2 article Painter wrote featuring the agency's Central Sign Shop, saying it highlighted a group whose story is rarely told and educated drivers about the meanings of signs and traffic control devices on roads and in construction zones.

She also mentioned a Google Plus hangout Painter organized Oct. 24 that brought together transportation officials, meteorologists, journalists and readers to discuss transportation and weather issues. The online forum included Oklahoma Climatological Survey Director Gary McManus, as well as Angier and Painter.

“Overall, Mr. Painter has been valuable asset and partner to ODOT by bringing important transportation issues to light and reinforcing ODOT's message of traffic and work zone safety,” Angier said. “We can call on him for help on getting important safety messages to the public.”