The Heart of Transit: Recognizing 30+ Years of Service at Transdev
Our employees are more than just team members at Transdev — they are the foundation of our success. Each year, Transdev dedicates time to celebrate the contributions of its workforce through our companywide Employee Appreciation Week. This year, we are especially proud to honor five extraordinary individuals who have each dedicated more than 30 years of service to the transportation industry. Their hard work, leadership, and passion for people have left a lasting impact not only at Transdev, but also in the communities they serve every day.
Robert Noyes
From 19-Year-Old Technician to Maintenance Manager
When Robert Noyes joined Greyhound in 1990 as a teenager working his way through school, he had no idea his “temporary” job would turn into a decades-long career. Nearly 35 years later, Noyes now serves as Manager of Maintenance at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, overseeing a fleet of El Dorado and New Flyer diesel shuttles.
For Noyes, success has always come from teamwork and perseverance.
“We’re like a family here,” he says. “No one is just a name or a number. Everyone knows how to pull their weight and step up when needed.”
Though he was “scared to death” to become a manager, mentorship and trust helped him thrive. When asked what guidance he would offer new employees, Noyes shared: “Don’t be afraid to learn or ask questions. Everyone can teach you something, and you may even figure out a solution no one else has.”
Wade Evans
Four Decades of Safety Leadership
Wade Evans began his journey in April 1982 at West Side Transit in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. More than 43 years later, he has become a cornerstone of safety at Transdev, serving as a Director of Safety and Training.
Starting as a mechanic and moving up through foreman and manager roles, Evans has always been passionate about creating a safety-first culture. From implementing monthly safety meetings to hands-on training, Evans emphasizes accountability and care.
“Safety never ends,” he says. “If you don’t love what you’re doing, it’ll show, and it could hurt someone down the line.”
Known for his storytelling and energetic training style, Evans’s goal is simple: make sure every employee goes home safe. His motto is one we can all take to heart: “Do everything right. We’ll practice until you get it right, no matter how long it takes.”
Rafael Ayala
Driving Innovation in San Diego
Since starting his career in 1988, Rafael Ayala has played a role in the transformation of San Diego’s maintenance operations. Today, Ayala serves as Director of Maintenance for both Chula Vista and El Cajon facilities under a contract with San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, where he oversees nearly 350 buses. He led his team through a fleet wide transition to CNG in the early 1990s and is again managing the transition to electric vehicles.
Ayala believes in leading by example and keeping his door open.
“If you make an error, I’ll back you up. If you don’t attempt it, then we’ll have a problem,” he often tells his team.
His leadership has resulted in successful inspections year after year, a testament to his commitment to doing the job right.
“Don’t cut corners,” Ayala advises. “Be open, be honest, and stick to the program.”
His humility, organization, and pride in the product his team produces have earned him the respect of peers across the industry.
JoAnn Satterwhite
Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Others
In June 1977, JoAnn Satterwhite made history in North Carolina as Raleigh’s first female Capital Area Transit driver. Over 35 years, she built a reputation for skill, professionalism, and resilience—even when some passengers and coworkers questioned whether a woman belonged behind the wheel. Satterwhite proved them wrong, earning compliments, recognition, and a perfect driving record before retiring in 2012.
But retirement didn’t mean slowing down. In 2015, Satterwhite joined North Carolina State University’s Wolfline bus service, operated by Transdev, where she has proudly served for nearly a decade. For her, driving has always been about two things: the road and the people.
“I treat my coworkers and students with respect,” she says, a motto that has guided her throughout her career.
Her proudest milestone was receiving her Million Miles Safe Driver pin without a single preventable accident, proof of her belief that safety comes down to how you handle and maneuver the vehicle. Today, Satterwhite continues to put safety first, giving regular announcements on her routes and reminding her team that “an accident is only an attitude away.”
Beyond her role as a trusted operator, Satterwhite is also a Behind-the-Wheel Instructor and Level One graduate of Transdev’s professional operator training program. She has received numerous letters of recognition from the university for her kindness, positive spirit, and dedication to students. Nearly 50 years after first climbing into the driver’s seat, Satterwhite remains a shining example of perseverance, professionalism, and heart.
John Smeeton
A Steadfast Career Serving Portland’s Paratransit Riders
For more than 40 years, John Smeeton has been a reliable and dedicated operator for TriMet’s LIFT paratransit service in Portland, Oregon. Known for his safe driving record, professionalism, and consistency, Smeeton has built a career defined by dependability.
“He’s exactly what you want from every employee,” says Jonathan Lewis, General Manager. “You don’t do this job for four decades without loving it.”
Smeeton’s long tenure has given him a unique perspective on the evolution of paratransit in Portland. Division Manager Jeremy Hurley notes that Smeeton has seen the program grow from its early volunteer roots to the full LIFT service it is today. With that historical knowledge, Smeeton has been invaluable in training new drivers, guiding them not just in policies and procedures but also in building lasting connections with passengers. His rapport is evident, often remembering riders by name and treating them like family.
In addition to his work behind the wheel, Smeeton has been an active voice for safety. He was elected by his peers to be part of the Safety Solutions Team, where he has helped lead monthly meetings and safety initiatives. As Portland has changed, Smeeton has remained a steady presence, empowering freedom to move for those who rely on paratransit. After more than 40 years of service, he stands as both a pillar of the community and a role model for his fellow operators.
Ramona Williams
A Life of Service On and Off the Road
Ramona Williams, Clerk of Jefferson Parish, has been part of the transit industry since 1976. She began her career as a bus operator, later serving as a supervisor with Westside Transit and continuing in that role when Veolia Transportation (now Transdev) took over in 2006. Though she officially retired in 2011, her passion for people brought her back as a part-time customer service clerk, a role she continues today.
Known for her kindness and uplifting spirit, Williams is the one her colleagues turn to for encouragement, a blessing at celebrations, or simply a smile to brighten the day. Beyond Transdev, she has devoted her life to ministry, becoming a radio announcer in 2001 and later an ordained minister. She remains deeply active in her church and community, offering care, guidance, and faith to those around her. A proud mother of four, grandmother of ten, and great-grandmother of one, Williams’ legacy is one of service, both to transit and to people.
Honoring a Legacy of Service
From Noyes’s steady leadership in Houston, to Evans’s lifelong commitment to safety and Williams’ unwavering dedication to her community in Jefferson Parish, to Ayala’s innovation in San Diego, to Satterwhite’s trailblazing career in Raleigh, and Smeeton’s steadfast service in Portland—these five remarkable employees represent the very best of Transdev.
During Employee Appreciation Week, we honor our entire workforce, thousands of operators, technicians, managers, and support staff across the country, who keep our passengers moving safely and reliably every day. Whether you are new to Transdev or have served for decades, your dedication makes a difference. Thank you for everything you do to empower the freedom to move in the communities we serve.
Hear a special message from the Chief Executive Officer of Transdev, Laura Hendricks for all employees below.
