To provide clean, safe, and reliable service, we have hundreds of technicians working behind the scenes on our buses, trains, rail systems and facilities. In our Meet a Mechanic series, we introduce you to those who are committed to their craft and hear why they enjoy what they do. Want to be a part of the team that keeps the metro moving? We’re hiring!
Tell us a little bit about your background.
My dad and grandfather were farmers, so I was driving tractors and trucks when I was as young as seven. You learn early, and that stays with you. As a teenager, my family moved from New York to Brooklyn Center, and I often took the bus to work and school. While I was training here, I ran into the operator who used to take me to school and he said, ‘That’s a great story, but don’t tell anyone, or they’ll know I’m old!’
What brought you to Metro Transit?
After high school, I went straight to work to help my single mother. At the same time, I kept busy fixing up cars I bought at auctions and selling them for extra money. My brother worked in Metro Transit’s parts department, and he encouraged me to apply here. Luckily, I was able to join a program that allowed me to earn income while working alongside technicians here and getting the formal education I needed to apply for a full-time technician role.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
I like seeing the results. When you finish a job and know a bus is back on the road because of what you did, that feels like a great accomplishment. And we all work together. I’ve especially enjoyed being part of a team that competes in the annual Bus Maintenance Rodeo. Even if we come in second or third, it’s good practice and it sharpens your skills.
What’s next for you?
I feel the same way now as I did when I started. The benefits are great, management listens, and it’s just a great place to work. People say once you’ve been here a while, you’re here for life and I believe that. Metro Transit has been good to me and I’m proud to be part of it.