Alexandria (Va.) Transit Company (DASH), GM/CEO, Sandy Modell, will be presented with a special proclamation in honor of her 28 years of service to DASH, and 38 years in the transit industry. The presentation, on behalf of Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg and City Council, is on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016.

Modell helped to guide and lead the DASH organization for 28 years. She began her career at DASH in 1989 as one of very few female transit managers in the entire country, and with a mission to continue the vision that William Hurd saw for DASH. His philosophy was to provide a back-to-basics approach of clean buses, friendly and courteous drivers, and safe and reliable service that has helped DASH to gain the reputation it has today.

Modell was instrumental in growing the system from 17 buses and 30 employees to operating on 10 routes with 79 buses, 5 trolleys and more than 185 employees.

DASH is recognized nationally and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia for the service it provides and has won many outstanding achievement awards over the years for safety, creative marketing efforts, innovative programs, outstanding public transportation and service, but those are not without the leadership and direction that Modell provided, according to a DASH statement.

Modell’s can-do attitude has been the driving force behind many outstanding projects with an eye on perfection and she has served as a vital role in the DASH community and as an integral part of the Alexandria community, the statement said.