From left: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1577 President Dwight Mattingly, Tom Romano, and Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes. Photo courtesy of Palm Tran
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From left: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1577 President Dwight Mattingly, Tom Romano, and Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes. Photo courtesy of Palm Tran
Palm Tran celebrated the retirement of Bus Operator Tom Romano, after 41 years of service. Palm Tran leadership, staff, and Romano's wife presented him with an engraved clock and certificate of appreciation at the West Palm Beach Intermodal Transit Center.
Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes, Palm Tran Director of Operations Sean Smith, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1577 President Dwight Mattingly attended the event.
“His excellence as a Palm Tran bus operator cannot be overlooked," says Forbes. "It has been an absolute honor to recognize Tom for his 41 years of service, and I wish him nothing but happiness in his retirement.”
Romano shakes hands with Forbes as Palm Tran Director of Operations Sean Smith presents Romano with a gift. Photo courtesy of Palm Tran
Romano began his career as a bus operator in 1977, when the Palm Beach County transit agency was named Florida Transit Management Inc. with 20 buses and seven routes. When the agency restructured to Palm Tran in 1996, the fleet expanded to over 150 buses and over 30 routes.
In December 2017, Palm Tran recognized Romano for reaching the 25-year milestone without any preventable accidents.
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In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.