From General Manager Wes Kooistra
This week, we lost a valued member of the Metro Transit team.
John Humphrey was a trusted colleague, a generous spirit, and a committed leader. For many, he was a close friend.
In experiencing this loss, I am reminded that relationships are everything.
Relationships develop and grow from our shared experiences. They are what connect us to each other. I know that my grief is in great part a sorrow over the loss of that sharing.
I hope through the losses we have all experienced and grieved in 2021, we wholly appreciate the value of our sharing relationships, and we work to renew and deepen our connections with each other in the year ahead.
There is so much about this troubling time that works to separate us physically and emotionally.
It is in these times that we are required to be more intentional in our efforts to nurture our personal and professional relationships and to actively support one another. I know I must do much more of this in my leadership role, but we can all be leaders in this way.
On the other side of grief lies the promise and joy of growing and sharing relationships. That promise and joy is my hope for all of us in 2022.
|
John Humphrey, who began his career as a second-generation bus operator nearly 33 years ago, passed away this week.
John was among the first train operators who helped begin light rail service. After serving in rail supervisory and management roles, he became deputy chief operating officer-rail in 2014. Co-workers remember John for his persistent smile, generosity and leadership.
"He had such a depth of experience in the organization," remembered Adam Harrington, director of service development. "He had an understanding of the operator and customer experience that was really invaluable as a leader."
John is survived by his wife Kim, six children and five grandchildren. Additional information about John's life and career will be shared at a later time. Services are pending.
Support available
Free counseling services are available through our Employee Assistance Provider, Sand Creek. For more information, call 1-888-243-5744 or visit SandCreekEAP.com (company code: metcouncil).
|
The CDC has shortened its recommended isolation period for people who test positive from 10 days to 5 days, based on evidence that suggests the likelihood of transmission declines after a few days.
The Council's policy, requiring employees who test positive to stay away from worksites for 10 calendar days, remains in effect.
Review MDH guidance on what to do if you feel sick or test positive
COVID-19 testing
As a reminder, public health officials recommend getting tested 5 to 7 days after gathering.
- Free testing is available at HealthPartners locations throughout the region. To make an appointment, visit healthpartners.com and use the employer code 10397. Testing will not be available at HealthPartners sites on Monday, Jan. 1.
- Online testing appointments through Vault will only be available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.
- Some community testing sites will be closed over New Years while others have expanded their hours.
Three longstanding employees, who together have more than 100 years of service, are retiring next week from South Garage.
- Maintenance Manager Keith Stein is retiring with 41 years of service. Stein began his career as a cleaner at the old Nicollet Garage and worked as a helper, fueler and senior mechanic before becoming a supervisor and manager. In retirement, Stein plans to spend time traveling, golfing, fishing and shooting trap.
- Mechanic Charles “Chuck” Rawson is retiring with 31 years of service. Rawson started as a cleaner at Shingle Creek and, after a stint at the old Snelling Garage, spent most of his career at South as an HVAC technician. In retirement, Rawson said he hoped to spend more time traveling.
- Assistant Transportation Manager Ken Benzel is retiring with 30 years of service. Benzel began as a part-time operator and later transferred to light rail as one of the first rail supervisor, where he helped train the first group of operators. In retirement, Benzel plans to spend more time hunting, fishing, traveling, and flying.
If you or someone you know is retiring with more than 30 years of service, please contact Drew Kerr about inclusion in the Hall of Fame.
|
Congratulations to Mailroom/Clerical Assistant Tyra Iverson, who will retire next week with 17 years of service.
In addition to fulfilling many, many print requests and distributing mail, Tyra printed Insights each week (if a typo was found, she even printed it twice).
Thank you, Tyra, for your service!
|
|
 |
The Black History Month Committee is inviting employees to participate in an online talent contest to help celebrate Black History Month.
To participate, employees are invited to submit short videos showing their talents, like singing. Videos should be submitted as soon as possible.
Videos can be uploaded to YouTube or shared through OneDrive with Traci Williamson and Drew Kerr. For further directions, please contact Drew Kerr.
The videos will be shared during online events hosted by the Black History Month Committee every Friday in February, which is Black History Month. Attendees will have a chance to vote for their favorites, and multiple rounds of voting will occur if there are enough entries. Invitations to February’s events will be sent soon.
Employees are encouraged to complete the Employee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey by Friday, Jan. 7. Completing this survey will help leadership make deliberate organizational changes that:
- Ensure everyone’s contributions are seen and valued
- Improve development opportunities for all staff
- Help managers become more effective leaders
- Build pride in our work
What you need to know about the survey:
- The survey can be completed in 5-10 minutes
- All responses are anonymous
- Survey results will be shared with staff early next year
- If you work in Bus Transportation, but are not an operator, please choose "Bus Administration" when completing the survey
Results from this survey and future focus groups will also inform the Great Workplace Project, a larger effort to identify action steps we’ll take to improve work culture.
When an 8-year-old boarded his Route 21 bus alone and cold, East Metro Operator Greg Johnson didn’t hesitate to act. “I couldn’t let this kid off the bus – you could tell something was wrong,” he said.
But when Johnson called for help, the child became distraught. “I could tell the child was trying to regulate their fear, the only way they knew how,” he said. “They needed time to work it out.”
When Metro Transit police officers Soonem Teng and Heather Schumacher arrived, Johnson told them the child would need to be treated delicately. When the child calmed down, police reunited them with their mother.
Johnson doesn’t know why the child came onboard, but is glad he was able to help. “I hope whatever caused this situation gets better for this kid,” Johnson said.
|
How did you come to work at Metro Transit and what do you do?
Before coming to transit, I worked at Anoka County as a 911 dispatcher, spent five years in private security for different organizations including the Minnesota Vikings, and served six years in the Navy. I came to Metro Transit for the opportunities, and I’ve now been here seven years. As a Transit Control Center Supervisor, I supervise bus operators when they’re on the road and assist them with route information, troubleshooting mechanical issues, and getting police assistance when necessary. We also serve as a secondary public safety answering point (PSAP), taking in 911 calls related to Metro Transit; and dispatching officers from the Metro Transit Police Department
What do you enjoy most about being On the Clock?
My favorite part of the job is the variety. Somedays, I dispatch for the transit police and some days I work bus operations, and sometimes I do both in the same day. Dispatching and working with bus operators each require unique skills and can offer their own challenges. I also get to work with some amazing people who make this a great place to work. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and brings their own experiences with them. We have former police officers, current firefighters, 911 dispatchers, bus drivers, customer service and Transit Information Center representatives, and more. Everyone brings a unique skill set to the job and makes it a fun place to work.
What do you do when you’re “Off the Clock”?
Working as a firefighter. My uncle was a firefighter and I always looked up to him. I usually put in at least 30-40 hours a month at the fire department, sometimes more. As the training captain for our department, it’s my job to ensure our firefighters get the best training possible so they’re safe and state guidelines are met. I respond to calls such as lift assists medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, and of course fires. My wife serves with the fire department, so I love sharing that side of my life with her. My family is also big into camping and trail riding with our ATV. We try and get in at least 10 camping trips a year and a few more day trips to local trails. Our youngest daughter is on the dance team, so we spend a good majority of our winters going to her dance competitions.
Christof Spieler, a transit enthusiast who has consulted on local projects, took this aerial image of the I-35W & Lake Street Station during a visit earlier this month. On average, about 600 rides are being taken on the METRO Orange Line each weekday, twice the amount taken on the route it replaced, Route 535.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is Sunday, Jan. 9. All employees are invited to celebrate by:
- Saying thank you if you encounter a police officer
- Wearing or displaying a blue ribbon
- Submitting a commendation or sending a thank you card c/o Elaine Warren, Metro Transit Police Department, 560 N Sixth Ave, Minneapolis, 55411
|
-
Bruce Otiso, who will begin as assistant manager-BRT operations on January 1. During his 22-year career at Metro Transit, Bruce has served as a bus operator, train operator and transit supervisor.
-
Trinity Jensen, who was recently promoted to supply chain supervisor. Trinity began as a bus operator in 1996 and has spent the past 20 years in Material Management, working in nearly every stockroom.
-
Kristen Fritz, who was recently promoted to rail senior supervisor. After a decade as a Minnesota State Trooper, Fritz joined Metro Transit as a rail supervisor in 2019.
-
Ryan Harris, who has joined MTPD as an asset protection specialist. Ryan has ten years’ experience in asset protection and retail operations and is a volunteer firefighter for the Centennial Fire District.
-
Bruce Carpenter and Don Ochs, who recently began staffing the Real Time Information Center. Carpenter previously served as a police officer and rail supervisor. Ochs previously served as a dispatcher for the State Patrol, park ranger and corrections officer.
-
Chris White, who joined the Metro Transit Police Department this month as a data analyst. Chris has 15 years of law enforcement experience.
To celebrate a promotion, new hire, retirement or other accomplishment, please email insights@metrotransit.org.
|
