Barry Goldman, Director of Maintenance at the Fairfax Connector location in Fairfax, VA was presented by COO Susan Sweat. Barry was recognized for his diligence in skillfully extracting a lithium battery from an electric bus that was in a severe accident. Barry and his team worked hand in hand with the bus manufacturer and local fire representatives to understand the process and safely remove and dispose of the compromised batteries. He systematically documented the process so that other Transdev teams could benefit from what they learned and serve as a guide for the future.

Bradley Bratton, Operator, Stan RTA (Modesto, CA): Presented by General Manager, Tom Wittig, Bradley was recognized for saving a choking student by quickly performing the Heimlich maneuver while operating his route, earning widespread praise and media attention. Transdev is proud to recognize Bradley for embracing the Transdev Spirit of Care, Share, Dare, and Deliver.

Brian Joseph, Operations Manager, DART (Dallas, TX): Presented by General Manager, Justin Sheldon, Brian was recognized for going above and beyond to support a rider with special needs by personally providing a secure lunchbox solution, demonstrating creativity and compassion.  Transdev is proud to recognize Bryan on embracing the Transdev Spirit of Care, Share, Dare, and Deliver.

Operator‑in‑training Charlet Simmon at The Hop Streetcar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was recognized as a Mobility Change Maker for her courageous actions during a training session in August. She witnessed a woman, Janine Kent, and her ADA service dog, Rudy, being attacked by two loose bull mastiffs and quickly intervened to help defuse the situation. Her bravery turned a frightening moment into an inspiring story that gained national attention. In recognition of the incident, Transdev donated to Periodic Paralysis International and Wolfhounds Legacy, underscoring its commitment to compassion and community support.

While operating his route on August 5, 2025, Operator Christopher Diaz noticed an elderly passenger who appeared disoriented and unsure where she was going. Trusting his instincts, Diaz contacted dispatch to report the situation and request assistance. He continued safely operating his route while maintaining communication with the team. It was later determined the passenger had been riding the bus for more than two hours without reaching home. Diaz’s attentiveness set the response in motion and ensured the passenger received the support she needed, demonstrating the awareness and care that Transdev operators bring to every ride.

The Jefferson Parish Mobility Change Makers were honored for their heroic response during a major emergency, when heavy fog caused a 40-50 car pileup on the world’s longest bridge over water. After EMS handled immediate needs, Transdev was called to evacuate stranded motorists along the 22-mile bridge. Within 30 minutes, the team deployed three vehicles with a service truck and, with no space to turn around, carefully backed up several miles to rescue passengers. Their quick action and teamwork embody Transdev’s Care, Share, Dare, and Deliver spirit.

Don Cicchetti, Operations Manager for Transdev Fleet Services in the Bronx, was honored as a Mobility Change Maker for his unwavering reliability and leadership. Despite being short-staffed and facing challenging conditions, Don consistently supports his team and the customer. His strong relationships, high standards, and steady presence make him the operation’s linchpin. Don’s determination to get the job done—no matter the obstacles—embodies true reliability and makes him a standout leader at Transdev.

Jean Nelson, Operator for Transport of Rockland (TOR) in Hillburn, New York, was presented as a Mobility Change Maker by Transdev TOR General Manager Mike Blodin for his demonstration of our spirit of Care, Share, Dare, and Deliver. On July 29, 2025, while picking up students after summer school, Nelson spotted a speeding pickup truck approaching just as a student was about to cross the street. He immediately sounded his horn, stopping the child in time and likely preventing a tragic accident. His alertness and dedication exemplify Transdev’s spirit while highlighting his deep commitment to safety, his passengers, and the community.

Roosevelt is a consummate professional. He had a previous career in law enforcement – spent three years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 31 years with the State Bureau of Investigation. After retiring from the Bureau in 2006, he was bored so he decided to start another career driving school buses for two years and then moved on to GoRaleigh, where he’s been for 10 years. During his time at GoRaleigh, he’s found new friends in both his co-workers and his passengers. One day, one of his regular passengers had fallen asleep when he reached her stop. After he woke her up, she expressed how appreciative she was and then sent a letter to GoRaleigh expressing her gratitude. To this day, the letter is still in his personnel folder. “I not only enjoy driving the bus, I also enjoy practicing great customer service.”

Joe Fox, Operator, Pierce Transit (Lakewood, WA): Presented by Assistant General Manager Edward Kane, Joe was recognized for his heroic actions during a shuttle rollover accident, calmly assisting ADA passengers and ensuring their safety under extreme conditions. Transdev is proud to recognize Joe for embracing the Transdev Spirit of Care, Share, Dare, and Deliver.

Karon Johnson, Overnight Dispatcher at the Bergen County location in North Bergen, NJ, was presented by General Manager Paulette Grimes for caring for an individual who was presenting symptoms of a heart attack. Karon’s prompt attention to this individual’s health emergency resulted in emergency services coming to the rescue very quickly. His diligence in monitoring the situation via the camera system ensured that help was on the way, while also keeping the location safe. He also demonstrated the spirit of our Transdev Purpose by caring for that individual’s well-being and providing them with emotional support, without compromising his job responsibilities.

Kathleen Nirschel, Operator, Pinellas County-The Grouper (St. Petersburg, FL): Presented by General Manager, Tom Tibbetts, Kathleen was recognized for helping a distressed veteran reach a VA center by coordinating transportation and contributing personally, and earned recognition from airport leadership. Transdev is proud to recognize Kathleen for embracing the Transdev Spirit of Care, Share, Dare, and Deliver.

Macario Aguilar, an operator at Denver’s Regional Transportation District, was honored as a Mobility Change Maker for his quick thinking in August 2025. After a system-wide alert about a missing child, he recognized the description as matching a passenger on his bus and immediately notified dispatch. His swift action helped reunite the child with their family. Guided by his own experience as a parent, Macario’s attentiveness reflects Transdev’s commitment to community safety. He was also named RTD Employee of the Month.

When wildfires swept through Los Angeles County in January 2025, the Pasadena Transit team—operated by Transdev—rose to the challenge with courage and compassion. From bus operators navigating smoke-filled streets to evacuate vulnerable residents to dispatchers working nonstop to coordinate emergency trips, their actions went far beyond their everyday duties. Their teamwork and dedication during the Eaton Fire exemplify what it means to be Mobility Change Makers.

PJ Simeri, who began as the Assistant Microtransit Operations Supervisor for WeRide in Goodyear, AZ, has steadily advanced to become the Manager of Service Management. Nominated by former GM Jacob Fritz and honored as Employee of the Year by both the client and his peers, PJ is celebrated for his passion for mentoring new employees and guiding team growth. Under his leadership, the service expanded from just 6 vehicles to a fleet of 28, transporting 900–1,000 passengers daily. Despite rapid growth, PJ’s commitment to excellence helped the team achieve a 96% on-time performance rate and an impressive 4.9 out of 5 customer service ratings, solidifying his reputation as a dedicated and impactful leader.

When Operator Christopher Diaz reported concern about a disoriented passenger on August 5, 2025, Dispatcher Rita Marron quickly coordinated support from the dispatch center. Marron maintained communication with Diaz while arranging for Road Supervisor Shyette Ortega to meet the vehicle and assess the situation in person. Her calm coordination ensured the response was organized and efficient. Once the passenger was confirmed to be lost after riding for several hours, the team was already positioned to help. Marron’s professionalism highlights the critical role dispatch plays in supporting operators and protecting passengers.

Scott Wallen, Paratransit Operator at the StanRTA Modesto location in Modesto, CA, was presented by General Manager Mark Frailey for his outstanding safety record with no incidents since starting at Transdev in 2023. Scott’s understanding, patience, and friendliness with his paratransit passengers is valued by Transdev. Scott’s willingness to step in and help in customer service, filling a vacancy in one of the location’s CSR positions when needed is greatly appreciated. Stan RTA has also recognized Scott as its Employee of the Month.

Road Supervisor Shyette Ortega helped bring a safe resolution to a passenger assistance situation on August 5, 2025. After being alerted by dispatch, Ortega met Operator Christopher Diaz and his vehicle in Pasadena to assess a disoriented elderly passenger. She learned the passenger had been riding the bus for more than two hours and was unable to find her way home. With approval, Ortega transported the passenger to her nearby in-home care facility, where staff were unaware she had gone missing. Ortega’s compassion and decisive action ensured the passenger returned safely, reflecting Transdev’s commitment to safety and care.

Yanior Concepcion, Operations Manager, began his career with Transdev in 2015 as a driver and quickly advanced through dispatch before being promoted in 2021. Known for his strong leadership and mentoring style, Yanior has improved call center performance, reduced customer complaints, and raised accountability by coaching employees and tracking individual performance with technology. Yanior inspires his team by sharing regular performance reports, meeting one-on-one with employees, and helping the location achieve key goals such as a 95% on-time performance standard.