The MPTA is thrilled to celebrate transit operators across Missouri who are making a difference in the lives of their riders. View the MPTA’s tribute to these operators below:
Jim Ballew, SMTS
Jim began driving for SMTS in January 2025, serving riders out of Madison County. In a short time, he has become known for genuinely caring about his riders, who often call to brag on him. Riders say how comfortable he makes them feel and how he takes extra care to get them to their appointments on time. He ensures safety is a top priority by selecting a vehicle that best meets the rider’s wheelchair needs. Jim was selected as a driver trainer for his thorough knowledge and attention to detail of daily duties and paperwork, and he’s always the first to volunteer when a fellow driver needs help. Riders and coworkers alike count on his reliability. Jim’s caring heart and dedication make him an outstanding representative of SMTS.
Golden Banks, KC Streetcar Operator
KC Streetcar Operator Golden Banks is part of a new class of 2026 KC Streetcar Operators. Golden has consistently shown himself to be a reliable, professional, and invaluable member of the KC Streetcar team. Golden has stepped up during his first year and is known for being a dependable teammate. Golden has gone above and beyond this year by supporting KC Streetcar during an unprecedented summer of FIFA World Cup in Kansas City. He continued to pitch in and cover extra shifts week after week to keep KC Streetcar moving during the busiest time in KC Streetcar history. He has been extremely flexible and dynamic over the past few months, and he takes each day, one day at a time and operates in a calm and collected manner.
Terry Breeze, Cameron MO- OATS Northwest Region
Since joining the team in July 2019, Terry has been providing transportation services throughout Clinton, Caldwell, and DeKalb counties in Missouri. Terry is always quick to jump in and assist wherever needed. Whether it is an early morning trip, or a late-night trip, Terry is always ready, willing and able to help, and does so with a positive attitude and a smile. His dedication, reliability, and commitment to providing excellent service make him a valued member of our team and someone both riders and coworkers can count on every day.
Thomas “Jeff” Davis, SMTS
Thomas, known to his riders as Jeff, has been driving for SMTS since 2019, serving Bollinger County. Over the years, he has built a reputation for professionalism and a genuine willingness to help, always going the extra mile to make sure no trip is missed. Even on his days off, Jeff is often the first to answer the call when the team needs extra support. Riders regularly request him by name, drawn to his positive outlook and friendly nature. What began as a plan to work six months to pay off a tractor turned into years of service, driven by the genuine connections he’s built with the people he serves.
Donnell Dean, Metro Transit Van Operator
Operator Donnell Dean has been a driving force in service excellence since 1999. Over his twenty-seven-year career, he’s earned a reputation for unwavering professionalism, perfect reliability, and a deep commitment to safety. As a seasoned Van Operator and dedicated Line Instructor, he’s not only served riders with distinction, particularly individuals with disabilities—but also shaped the next generation of operators by championing high standards, effective training, and continuous improvement across the board.
Lynn Dickerson, City Utilities of Springfield
Lynn Dickerson has been a Bus Operator with City Utilities of Springfield since 2014 and was Driver of the Year in 2020. This past year, Lynn has converted her locker into a community resource area stocking it with clothes, shoes, toiletries, and other items. Others have assisted in adding supplies to the locker and supporting Lynn’s efforts in meeting the basic needs of our passengers. Lynn has a great heart for our community and serves them well.
Carolyn Gaines, SERVE, Inc.
Carolyn is definitely as asset to SERVE. She goes above and beyond to help her clients and is always up to the tasks asked of her. In her almost 6 years of service Carolyn has never received a complaint. The passengers love Carolyn for her patience and warm personality.
Terry Geiler, SMTS
Terry has been driving for SMTS since January 2025, serving riders throughout Phelps County. He is known for his positive, upbeat attitude and for taking the time to make sure every rider is comfortable and well cared for. Riders often say he is their favorite driver, and coworkers know they can always count on him for help. He stays calm and steady in stressful situations, putting riders at ease. Terry is known as an upstanding member of his community and brings his warmth and sense of humor to the SMTS team every day.
Karen “Diane” Gilbert, SMTS
Diane has been driving for SMTS since 2018, serving riders throughout Dent County. Known for her kind, caring heart, she is consistently one of the most requested drivers on the team, with riders often asking for her by name. Diane never hesitates to step in and help wherever she’s needed, including covering routes in other counties whenever they are short-staffed. Her riders love her sense of humor and her genuine warmth, and coworkers describe her as a positive, dependable presence in every situation, always ready with a kind word. Diane’s compassion and willingness to go above and beyond make her a true asset to SMTS.
Frankie Hedges, St Louis MO- OATS Mideast Region
Since March 2008, Frankie has consistently gone above and beyond in her role as a driver in the St Louis area. Frankie is an exceptionally dependable and reliable driver who consistently goes above and beyond. On several occasions, she has voluntarily canceled her own personal time off to ensure our routes remain covered at all times. She takes her responsibilities seriously, prioritizing the safety of her passengers and the public above all else. We are very fortunate to have Frankie as a driver- she is truly deserving of this recognition.
Loren Lane, Cape Girardeau Transit Authority
Loren Lane has quickly become a valued part of CGCTA through his helpful attitude, dependability, and friendly personality. He provides demand response service and gets along well with both riders and staff. Loren is always willing to help and is genuinely happy to be at work. His calm and positive attitude helps create a welcoming experience for the people we serve. Although he has only been with CGCTA a short time, Loren has already made a meaningful impact.
Chuck Lear, Hannibal MO- OATS Northeast Region
Chuck Lear has been driving in Marion and Ralls counties in Northeast Missouri since March 2009. You can often find him on the road by 3a.m. making sure dialysis riders arrive safely and on time for their early morning appointments. No matter how early the call comes in, he is always willing to step up and help where needed. He frequently volunteers to cover holiday shifts when other drivers are unavailable, demonstrating his dedication and dependability. His commitment to serving riders with compassion and reliability makes him an invaluable part of the team.
Gladys Mason, Metro Transit Bus Operator
Gladys’ career with Bi-State Development/Metro began more than 32 years ago when she joined the organization as a part-time Bus Operator. In 1996, she transitioned to a full-time operator position, and for the past three decades she has remained dedicated to serving our customers and our community. In January, the St. Louis region experienced one of the most severe snowstorms in recent memory. Despite over 10 inches of snow, Gladys made it to work safely. She did not hesitate to pull out a bus to transport passengers who otherwise may have been stranded and unable to get home safely. Gladys is a true hero, and we are grateful for her outstanding service and dedication!
Larry Milligan, Columbia MO- OATS Mid-Missouri Region
Since October 2018, Larry Milligan has provided transportation throughout Boone County Missouri. He shows remarkable dedication to his riders and is committed to providing excellent service. He is routinely the first to reply when additional coverage is needed, and always willing and eager to fill-in. Larry serves one of our sheltered workshop routes in Columbia and is a fabulous asset! The best term used to describe Larry is “quietly fantastic”!
Andric Poole, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Andric Poole has proven himself to be an outstanding Bus Operator. He has been employed with the Agency since November 20, 2005, demonstrating more than 20 years of dedicated service and commitment. Throughout his career, Mr. Poole has consistently displayed a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to assist others. In addition to his responsibilities as a Bus Operator, he has assisted with operator training and played a valuable role during the fare rollout, helping various operators understand and successfully adapt to the new procedures.
Derrick Reddin, Cape Girardeau Transit Authority
Derrick Reddin has gone above and beyond through his dependability, flexibility, and positive attitude. He provides both demand response service and drives CGCTA’s Ride to Work route, always stepping in where he is needed. Derrick understands how important reliable transportation is to the riders and takes pride in serving them safely and respectfully. His sense of humor, friendly personality, and constant smile make him a joy to be around for both riders and staff. Derrick’s willingness to help and his positive attitude make him a valued member of the CGCTA team.
Sheryl Reeves, SMTS
Sheryl began driving for SMTS in March 2023, serving riders in Washington County. She goes above and beyond for every rider, arriving early and always ready with compassion and a smile. Sheryl has earned a reputation for exceptional care, and riders regularly request her by name. Her attentiveness once helped her recognize a rider who was experiencing a stroke, and her quick thinking ensured the rider received quick emergency care! She also assisted a colleague who passed out on the job by preventing them from falling and staying with them until the ambulance arrived. Her dedication to riders and coworkers alike makes her an invaluable part of the SMTS team.
Jim Slone, Odessa MO- OATS Midwest Region
Since November 2010, Jim Slone has been transporting Lafayette County Missouri riders where they need to go. He is a consummate professional and always has a kind word and a smile. He gladly goes anywhere, small town or big city, to make sure our riders get the care they need and, in sixteen years of service has done so accident free. Jim is the driver we all want on our team.
Mike Swallow, Fordland MO- OATS Southwest Region
Since August 2020, Mike has quietly and diligently transported riders to work and to day programs in Southwest Missouri. He demonstrates a commitment to the safety of everyone, communicating with parents, guardians, and management to stay on top of schedule changes or other concerns. Mike always assists his riders to and from the bus. Mike follows policy and procedures, and he does not hesitate to ask a manager or safety coordinator if he is in doubt. He goes above and beyond in bus maintenance, ensuring that preventive maintenance is scheduled timely and that his bus is clean and clutter-free.
Vickie Thomas, SERVE, Inc.
Vickie Thomas had been with SERVE for over 7 years. In that time, she has gone above and beyond for her passengers. She built personal relationships with several of her passengers even going so far as to help an elderly woman bathe when she had no one to help her and would help with shopping. All of this was done on her own time after work. Vickie has a lot of compassion and kindness with everyone she encounters in the community as well as her co-workers. Vickie is always willing to lend a helping hand with a smile on her face.
Jacqueline Williams, Metro Transit Operator
Operator Jacqueline Williams brings 29 years of dedicated service to Metro, offering a candid and insightful perspective on operator safety and workplace culture shaped by nearly three decades on the job. Known for consistently going above and beyond in her daily duties, she exemplifies the vigilance and commitment that defines Metro’s frontline workforce, bringing situational awareness, steady judgement, and an unwavering focus on the safety of the riding public to every shift. On one shift, Operator Jacqueline Williams observed a female pedestrian experiencing suicidal ideation on the Eads Bridge. Operator Williams was able to successfully engage with the individual, ensuring her safe removal from the bridge without incident.