Meet the man behind the voice of several Louisville crosswalks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) --Pat Seifert looks like your typical working man-- getting the job done with a hard hat and vest.

His face may blend into the crowd when you pass him on the street, but his voice is instantly recognizable.

Seifert is one of the voices heard at several Louisville's Crosswalks.

"All week long, that's all I hear," said one pedestrian.

Near U of L's campus, on Brownsboro Road, and in Clifton hundreds of pedestrians hear Seifert's voice saying things like "Walk Sign, Clifton Ave" or "Wait." The messages help the visually impaired.

"They get to hear a voice message that describes not only that it is time to start crossing the street, but also which street they are crossing," Engineering Supervisor of Electrical Maintenance at Public Works, Stacy Keith explained.

Surprised to hear a local man is behind the voice? Did you think it was just some canned recording used at traffic lights everywhere?

If you detected a hint of a southern accent while standing street side, you weren't hearing things.

"I guess you can't overcome the south," Seifert said.

He is Louisville born and raised. He's been with Metro Government for the better part of 30 years. During those 3 decades, technology changed a lot.

"The state had introduced this at an intersection around U of L. When we went back into the shop to start making the messages, I just happened to be in the room," explained Seifert

When other co-workers said "no way," Pat knew it was his time in the spotlight.

At one point, Public Works considered the track announcer at Churchill Downs, and U of L head basketball coach Rick Pitino for the voicing gig.

"But, we kept it simple," explained Seifert.

Pat admits his semi-newly found fame is neat, but he isn't much of a bragger. He leaves that up to his "better-half."

"Yeah, Debbie she tells everybody about it," Seifert said with a smile.

She'll be able to keep bragging. Her husband is a permanent part of the city he's called home his whole life.

A few of Seifert's co-workers also lend their voices to some of the other crosswalks around town.