TAM’s Annual Awards Ceremony took place Wednesday, September 21, honoring organizations and individuals in the following categories: Friend of Transit; Outstanding Marketing Program; Outstanding Leadership; Unsung Transit Hero; Outstanding Non- Profit Agency; Outstanding Transit System; and Driver of the Year. See additional award winner photos on pages 14-15. 2022 TAM Excellence Award Winners
Friend of Transit: MDOT MTA Office of Local Transit Support
Our 2022 Friend of Transit winner is the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration’s Office of Local Transit Support, or OLTS, as they are known by our members. Under the leadership of Travis Johnston, and with the stalwart assistance of the regional planners and other OLTS staff, they have worked every year to strengthen community transportation in Maryland. They are not only a partner for our members, they are a friend – of all Transit.
Outstanding Leadership: Roman Steichen, TransIT Services of Frederick County
Our 2022 Outstanding Leadership Award winner became Director of TransIT Services of Frederick County in 2020, but he’s been working in the transit world since 2004, as a driver and a manager. By engaging the ideas and insights of the people he worked with, he built trust and engagement in his organization. Under his guidance, the local Meals on Wheels program saw a 20% increase in the number of people served from March 1 to May 30 of 2020 alone. He also took the lead in partnering with the local Health Department to create a mobile vaccination clinic, making sure that hundreds of local residents were vaccinated against COVID.
Outstanding Non-Profit Agency: Harford Center
For over 60 years, The Harford Center has provided services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities. They promote dignity, safety, stability, choice, and community integration. Their goal is to ensure that all the individuals they support are integrated into the community through social activities, volunteering, employment, and recreation. Drivers go through rigorous training to provide the best service to those who need extra care. All drivers are DOT certified and attend annual safety training. Last year, their staff drove over 300,000 miles to serve those in their community, and in FY 2022 took over 2,600 community trips . The pandemic did not slow them down; they continued to provide the same service while making sure passengers were safe and healthy, and keeping the strictest health protocols. The Harford Center has received ORION’s safety in driving award every year since 2016. Their mission of safety and community integration, and providing quality care with compassion and skill, is a credit to all nonprofits.
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Maryland Transit Update
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