FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Four Employees Honored for Contributions to Industry
BALTIMORE, MD (December 10, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is proud to announce that four exceptional employees have been recognized WTS Baltimore Chapter, formerly known as the Women’s Transportation Seminar, for their exemplary work and contributions to the transportation industry. The awards were presented at the WTS Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon held on December 3 in Owings Mills.
“The Maryland Transit Administration’s team works hard to deliver critical services to our riders and we’re grateful to have the contributions of several employees honored by the WTS Baltimore Chapter,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “Those recognized by WTS this year represent the values and work ethic that keeps the Maryland Transit Administration thriving.
Maryland Transit Administration Police Chief Jerome Howard received the Honorable Ray LaHood Man of the Year award, named after the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation. The award recognizes men who actively advocate for the advancement of women within their organizations.
Chief Howard has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of women and minority officers within the MTA Police Force. Under his leadership, sworn female management personnel have risen to 26% of all sworn management positions. Chief Howard also has implemented initiatives to ensure that all employees, regardless of gender or background, are given the tools and opportunities needed to succeed and thrive.
The Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award was presented to Aesha Darby as leader of the newly founded Women in Transit Employee Resource Group. The new initiative fosters an inclusive and supportive environment for women. Through the group’s initial meetings and events, Darby has created a sense of empowerment and belonging that has contributed to thegroup’s success. Taking on this responsibility in addition to her role as an electronic technician, Darby has brought together women from all different parts of the agency to network and find common ground in shared experiences.
Recognizing the vital role that front-line staff play, WTS presented two awards to Maryland Transit Administration front line workers that have demonstrated exceptional ability to represent and uphold the agency’s core values.
Suzette Barron, Light Rail Field Supervisor, was honored for her out of the box thinking and detail-oriented nature as she leads Light Rail to achieve safety excellence. She goes above and beyond to ensure superb customer service for MTA riders. Mobility bus operator Tavon Richard-Laird was recognized for the major impact she’s had on riders in her more than thirty years at the Maryland Transit Administration. She is viewed by colleagues as an employee who not only upholds the core values of the agency - safe, equitable, continuously improving, respectful and customer focused - but also one who motivates others to be the best that they can be.
WTS is an international organization dedicated to shaping the future of transportation for the public good through the global advancement of women. Since 1977, WTS International, originally named the Women’s Transportation Seminar, has focused on promoting the advancement of women in the transportation industry.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States and operates local bus, commuter bus, light-rail transit, Metro subway, Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) train service, and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. The Maryland Transit Administration aims to provide safe, efficient, reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook and Instagram, and follow us on X (formerly Twitter).
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