A ‘New Energy’ arrives as Executive Constantine unveils new colors for Metro’s electric fleet
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Executive Dow Constantine unveiled one of Metro’s next-generation battery-electric buses wrapped in the new colors of the fleet today at Metro’s South Base. Called “The New Energy,” the livery design is a mix of electric yellow and seafoam blue, is a visual representation of Metro’s commitment to helping combat climate change and will be outfitted on all the new vehicles joining the fleet. Along with Executive Constantine, Metro General Manager Michelle Allison, King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, and Teague Livery Design Manager Katie Ryan, helped unveil the new design. Read more.
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Staff commended for their life-saving work
Operations would like to recognize the professionalism of all involved in last weekend’s incident where a woman fell in between the cars of the train at Pioneer Square station and became pinned against the platform. Charles Dedrick was on North Control handling this incident simultaneously while managing the Mariner’s post-game trains. Abdi Ibrahim was the first field responder who kept the Link Control Center (LCC) informed on the first responders’ arrival and assisted with passenger transfers during the single track. And most importantly, the quick reactions of the operator, Naweedullah Payam, who immediately stopped the train for this incident that occurred between his third and fourth cars of the overall train. The fire department was able to extract the woman using the jaws of life and reported that her injuries were relatively minor.
This was an excellent team response to a what could have been a tragic accident.
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Greg Wilson receives award from Washington Alliance for Better Schools
Greg Wilson, a Program Manager within Public Health’s Environmental Health Services Division, won the inaugural Outstanding Leadership Award from the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS).
WABS is a collaborative of school districts and industry leaders working to support students. They give this award in recognition of a person or team who has demonstrated outstanding engagement with WABS over time.
Greg was selected due to his collaboration with WABS for over a decade, providing instructor support and coordinating teacher externships, and for his consistent advocacy for partnerships between WABS and Public Health. Greg, who started Public Health’s Education Engagement Strategy Program, works with Environmental Health Services colleagues as well as partners across the county to advocate for engaging students and connecting them with educational and career STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) opportunities.
These collaborative efforts have a critical impact and are crucial to the development of the future Public Health workforce. Congratulations Greg!
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Public Health program transforms into collaborative troupe, empowering employees and engaging the community
The Employee Engagement Strategy (EES) Program at Public Health – Seattle and King County has recently undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a dynamic collective known as the EES Troupe. The Troupe brings together participants from various divisions and departments throughout King County, with the aim of fostering effective employee engagement and strengthening collaborative strategies.
The EES Troupe has been working diligently to create a robust working environment that promotes teamwork, innovation, and productivity among colleagues internally. By encouraging employees to work together and leverage their diverse expertise, the Troupe aims to cultivate pathways and a space where individuals thrive and contribute to the King County’s workforce development objectives and Equity, Racial, and Social Justice goals.
Beyond internal collaboration, the EES Troupe has also been actively forging partnerships in the academic and community sectors, making a significant impact externally. One of the Troupe’s key focuses is on providing valuable opportunities for students ranging from middle school to college-age. These experiences include internships, work-study programs, job shadowing, and more. By offering exposure, knowledge, and understanding of the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) academics and career pathways, the Troupe aims to empower students throughout King County to pursue meaningful and fulfilling futures.
Pictured from left to right is Greg Wilson, Public Health – Seattle & King County, Lynelle Golden, Dean, Bastyr University, Devin Byrd, President, Bastyr University, Jamey Wallace, Chief Medical Officer, Bastyr University, and Nicole Francois, President, Market Well.
Greg Wilson, Program Manager within the Environmental Health Services Division at Public Health – Seattle and King County, expressed his enthusiasm for the vision.
“Through the EES Troupe, we aim to create a collaborative ecosystem where employees feel empowered and supported in their work, while also investing in the next generation of STEAM professionals,” he said.
He emphasizes that by leveraging the skills and passions of fellow King County colleagues, the Troupe is forging key alliances internally through employee engagement and external community partnerships, to establish a lasting impact on both King County and the community.
“It is important to provide opportunities for young people in our community and encourage their interest in a variety of educational fields.”
The efforts of the EES Troupe have garnered recognition from both employees and community members. Colleagues have expressed increased morale, satisfaction, and motivation within their work environments, while students have benefited from hands-on experiences and a deeper understanding of potential career pathways.
The EES Troupe’s partnerships extend to esteemed academic institutions, including K-12 School Districts, collaborations with Seattle University, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Bellevue College, The University of Washington and beyond. Ultimately, these affiliations aim to develop more healthcare professionals, provide continuing education, and support the education and graduation of nurses who can serve patients at King County hospitals and health centers.
Pictured Faisal Khan, Director, Public Health – Seattle & King County (right) and Devin Byrd, President, Bastyr University celebrating this recent partnership.
Greg and the EES Troupe have also developed a thriving relationship with Bastyr University to support this work. This includes Greg serving on the Community Advisory Board for Bastyr, where he was able to support the university to become one of only three institutions, and the only private university, in Washington State to have an accredited Masters in Public Health (MPH) program. This work has also resulted in a recent collaboration among key Public Health and Bastyr leadership designed to expand the Master Affiliation Agreement in place.
“This connection with Bastyr and their MPH program not only develops a new partnership for the EES program, but also allows Bastyr students to be directly involved in making a difference within the community,” said Robin Fenn, Bastyr Chair and Professor of the Department of Public Health, and Advisory Board Member.
“During the pandemic, Greg worked with his division and an interning MPH student to create a tool to assess the cultural and linguistic adequacy of COVID-19 related materials that were being shared with vulnerable LatinX communities in King County,” explains Nicole Francois, President Market Well Consulting. “This dedication to initiatives and programs that improve the health of our communities has been and remains invaluable.”
Greg adds that “Developing healthy communities means developing healthy individuals who are eager to learn and capable of envisioning a great life for themselves and a better world for us all. It means meeting students where they are and building their confidence to help them cultivate a vision for their lives, passion for learning, and offering them avenues to be contributing citizens.”
Pictured: Greg Wilson, far right, with members of the EES Troupe and the Highline School District Superintendent, Ivan Duran, and Museum of Flight Leadership.
The EES Troupe has also organized field trips and inspiring events such as a visit to The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), Bellevue Botanical Gardens, The Museum of Flight for students from the Highline School District, South Seattle and beyond.
“By successfully sustaining our Internship Program, I am most grateful to all that our objective to inspire youth, our future leaders for tomorrow, was accomplished,” said Greg. “
Greg looks forward to expanding the Troupe and highlighting the advances of both community partners and King County employees.
“King County government does a lot to foster healthy communities. Through our individual work, and in our work groups, we often don’t get to see the depth and breadth of the good work our organization accomplishes.”
“I want my colleagues to know we are the sum of our contributions and that we are building neat outcomes in King County today and for tomorrow.”
Pictured: Highline students at the Museum of Flight and Highline Schools Foundation Executive Director, Fred Swanson.
The EES Troupe will continue facilitating events and programs throughout the year nurturing K-16 academic institutions, reinforcing the principles of the King County Equity & Social Justice Ordinance, and sustaining awareness for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities by serving as stewards throughout King County who recognize that racism is a public health crisis.
To learn more about the EES Troupe and how to get involved, please contact Greg Wilson at Greg.Wilson@kingcounty.gov.
Public Health – Seattle and King County is a leading public health organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of all residents in the Seattle and King County area. With a strong focus on community engagement, it strives to address the health needs of diverse populations through innovative programs and effective partnerships.
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Metro’s newest Bus Operator of the Year: Lisa Nault
Dear colleagues,
On Thursday afternoon, I joined several King County employees and leaders at East Base to celebrate Lisa Nault—Metro’s 2022 Bus Operator of the Year.
Metro awards Bus Operator of the Year annually to individuals who personify excellence, safety, and customer service. I have been fortunate to be part of these celebrations for many years and am honored to be able to recognize Lisa with this award for the first time as Metro’s General Manager. Our operators are the finest in the nation and no one embodies this more than Lisa. She was chosen by her peers for this award, voted on by 84 fellow Operators of the Month as the “best of the best.” Below are a few accolades Lisa has received.
“Lisa’s kindness, leadership and commitment to her peers and the Metro community make her deserving of this honor. We are all proud of this accomplishment she has achieved.” – Metro Base Chief Kerrie Bouie
“Lisa’s commitment to safety and reliable service day in and day out is unparalleled. Her excellence is a wonderful example of the public service provided by King County, placing our residents at the forefront of all that we do, and delivering a world-class mobility network.” – King County Executive Dow Constantine.
“[Lisa] was extremely professional and showed exceptional care while driving, making extra effort to avoid sudden changes in speed or direction—despite very heavy and erratic traffic that [could have] made the trip more difficult for the standing passengers.” – Metro rider
Born in Seattle, Lisa started at Metro in 1992 as a part-time operator before transitioning to full-time in 1997. Since then, Lisa has earned several Safe Driver Awards and many customer commendations and has been actively involved with ATU Local 587 for 30 years. Lisa has a degree in business administration from Bellevue College and is active in the Seattle-area Native American, Alaskan Native, and Filipino communities. Lisa has a daughter, a granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, cooking, baking, attending pow-wows, and spending time with her family.
As Operator of the Year, Lisa received a plaque, jacket patch, bus ring, reserved parking and interior bus and shelter cards announcing her achievements to all Metro riders. When asked if she had any advice for other operators, Lisa shared, “Drive one block at a time.”
Lisa’s excellence shines through all that she does. I am so proud she chose Metro for her career. Please join me in congratulating Lisa Nault, our 2022 Metro Operator of the Year!
Thank you for everything you do,
Michelle Allison
General Manager
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Building community and wellness at Metro
King County Metro’s Wellness Team recently hosted the 2023 Metro Wellness Fair to provide in-person support and resources on wellness, safety, and workplace benefits to Metro employees. The Wellness Fair (formerly known as the Health & Safety Fair) took place at the Atlantic/Central Base over the course of three days and offered a fun and engaging experience that focused on the health and wellbeing of Metro employees.
By hosting the Wellness Fair, Metro’s Wellness Team aims to bring awareness to the amazing health and wellness benefits that are available to employees and to foster the critical need for self-care. “Health is Wealth! I’m a transit operator and this three-day event not only helped build morale but also educated us on ways to enhance our lifestyle by utilizing the many benefits provided by King County Metro! Also, the nutrition demos with easy recipes for on-the-go and personal trainers showing us how to move during our breaks was phenomenal,” said Tonya Abernathy, Ryerson Base Transit Operator.
The fair included numerous onsite resources from King County benefits and retirement, medical and dental partners, and even free chair massages! There were complimentary health screenings, interactive demos on meal preparation, ergonomic support, mini-move sessions, injury prevention resources, and so much more.
There were also over 15 benefits vendors and partners including the County’s Employee Assistance Program, Critical Incident Stress Management, Balanced You, and employee resources groups, to help Metro employees familiarize themselves with their benefits and how to utilize them. There are so many benefits offered by King County so having a lot of the vendors and programs there first-hand to talk, answer questions, and provide more information to employees was just another added benefit.
“Balanced You loved being at the Wellness Fair and had a great time chatting with Metro employees. King County cares about employee’s health and well-being and has a variety of programs to meet their needs, both at work and at home. It is important to us that all employees know what these are and how to access them,” said Junelle Kroontje, Employee Social Impact and Well-being Manager.
The Wellness Fair mixed in some fun and engagement too. There was free food from on-site food trucks, giveaways, and plenty of smiles to go around. Upon entering the fair, participants were given a Wellness Transfer Ticket, which encouraged folks to visit the variety of vendors at each table. Each vendor would then stamp the pass and once participants pass was filled, they were eligible for giveaways.
The event also helped build community. Many of Metro’s employees do not regularly work at a desk, so this event is crucial for knowledge sharing and information gathering. It is also just as crucial to be in community with one another. The Wellness Fair not only offered support and resources, but also provided a space for employees to be together with their colleagues. Metro’s mission is to provide the best possible public transportation services and improve regional mobility and quality of life in King County. The health and wellness of the people behind this mission are a priority for King County and events like the Wellness Fair help make the mission become a reality.
See below for more pictures from the 2023 Wellness Fair.
Images courtesy of Thomas Hawthorne, Photographer, King County Metro.
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Integrating health care systems to support and care for people with substance use disorders
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex conditions that continue to impact people from all walks of life. Like many communities across the nation, King County residents are seeing a rise in substance use disorders and overdoses, particularly with the tragic impacts of the fentanyl epidemic being felt across our communities.
This summer, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) published a blog series focused on what residents should know about King County’s SUD response. You can read more here:
The latest blog in the series will cover the range of health care systems where people can and will access support. Read more.
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Youth learn and develop community leadership skills through Metro Transit Equity Internship Program
Crossposted from Metro Matters
This July, King County Metro hosted its second annual Youth Transit Equity Internship. The program provides a unique group learning and skill-building opportunity for young people interested in public transit and community leadership. Throughout the program, the Transit Equity Interns become peer ambassadors of transportation resources, explore career pathways within Metro, and build skills and knowledge of transit, urban planning, climate justice, and local government! Read more.
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Metro wants to hear from people with disabilities about their mobility needs
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Mobility for people with disabilities has always been a vital part of Metro’s mission and we work hard to remove barriers. Metro is currently developing a plan to further improve accessibility within our programs, services and activities. Our goal is to make it possible for everyone in King County to ride with us and get to the places they need to go.
We invite you to complete our community survey by Oct. 15. Scroll down to learn more about Metro’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. Your input about your experiences riding Metro and your ideas for enhancing our programs, services and activities for people with disabilities are highly valued. Read more.
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Lorre Wijelath named Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
KCIT is pleased to announce that Lorre Wijelath has been selected for the permanent leadership role of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Lorre has served as the interim CISO for the past 11 months and was selected for the permanent position after a competitive recruitment process.
Lorre joined King County in 2020 as a member of KCIT’s Security and Privacy team. Since then, Lorre developed King County’s first data privacy program, responded to critical security incidents, and led significant enterprise initiatives to improve cybersecurity. Previously, Lorre worked with the federal government to protect health information security and privacy, as well as a Seattle-based national healthcare company.
“It is inspiring to work with such an amazing group of professionals who bring passion, enthusiasm, and a deep commitment to keeping King County secure, “ Lorre said. “I look forward to partnering with colleagues across King County to continue strengthening our awareness around the importance of cybersecurity within our community.”
Employee News 