Congratulations to Rob Herndon and Carolyn Fitzgerald who were both recognized as finalists at the 28th Annual Clean Air Champions award ceremony held on Wednesday October 28 at the JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Although a finalist, strong contender, and a true clean air champion Rob was not the award recipient in the Outstanding Commuter – Bicyclist category this year. Finalist Carolyn Fitzgerald was announced as the award recipient for the Outstanding Commuter – Bus Rider category.

Also in attendance and honored, were four are Trip Coordinators for Maricopa County: Juanita Gutierrez (Adult Probation), LaToya Knight (Office of Enterprise Technology), Selene Saucedo (County Manager’s Office), and Sonya Savala (Transportation). Donna Schneider (Employee Benefits & Health) was in attendance as a dedicated clean air champion. Donna relies on bus transportation to and from work every day. Special guests Sandip Dholakia (Office of Enterprise Technology) and Fields Moseley (County Manager’s Office) were also in attendance to support the Clean Air honorees.

Congratulations to all honorees and clean air champions!

Carolyn Fitzgerald did not set out to be a role model when she joined Maricopa County five years ago as a business analyst with the Office of Enterprise Technology. She just wanted to inject efficiency, convenience and production into her work. She has done that and more. 

That passion begins hours before and after her work day. Just a week after starting work at the county, Carolyn received her county-subsidized bus card. Every work day morning and evening since then, Carolyn rides the Chandler Express bus. The round trip is a relatively long commute, 60 miles. She first drives five miles to the Park-and-Ride where she joins fellow commuters to complete the 25-mile trip to downtown Phoenix. Yes, riding the bus adds a few minutes to her commute but adds far more to her productivity. She expends not a moment of stress or worry about traffic. Rather than dealing with rush-hour traffic, she reads, chats with friends, catches up on work, or browses the internet.

Using the ShareTheRide Commuting Cost Calculator, Carolyn estimates she saves $6,394 each year and she reduces 2,037 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from being dumped into our environment. Over five years, Carolyn has prevented over 10,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from entering our atmosphere while saving herself and her family nearly $32,000. Carolyn has gone over and above in her support, participation and contribution of helping to protect our environment. She exemplifies the smart, healthful choices behind transit. Clearly, she is a winner.

The Medical Examiner’s Office is an extraordinarily busy and fast-paced workplace. Robert Herndon knows. He has worked there, with the exception of about three years, since 1998. Robert is a Forensic Chemist in the Toxicology Lab, where he tests biological samples of decedents to help determine if drugs and/or alcohol contributed to their death. Robert helps provide closure to families of the deceased and performs preventative maintenance and troubleshooting on those sensitive instruments and equipment required to complete these important tests. The toxicology field creates many interesting experiences and complex moments.

Nearly every day, Robert straps on a helmet and hops on his bicycle for a 12.5 mile ride from the East Valley to downtown Phoenix. Robert has been one of the area’s bike-commuting pioneers throughout most of his service with the Medical Examiner’s Office, usually riding his bike for the entire commute, or occasionally combining the use of an express bus or light rail with his bicycling. The ride is a good way to relax, reduce stress, squeeze in some exercise and have time to unwind, gather his resources, and cogitate on his day, or reflect on something other than work.

With the sun on his back on each ride, Robert moves through Scottsdale and Phoenix streets, doing his part to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. In the summer heat or winter cold, Robert logs thousands of miles, trimming his carbon footprint substantially.

Someday, more commuters will bike to work. A pioneer, Robert Herndon, has shown the way.