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NEWS, PHOTOS FROM THE BUS & PARATRANSIT CONFERENCE
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APTA Recognizes 'Industry Giant' John Walsh
In a moving tribute, members of APTA’s Bus Technical Maintenance Committee recognized their colleague John Walsh with a special award during APTA’s Bus & Paratransit Conference.
APTA Acting President & CEO Richard White praised Walsh, who appeared via Skype, for his extraordinary achievements in the public transportation industry.
“Your strong work ethic and your passion for public transportation are legendary. In recognition of your lifetime of accomplishments, John, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we salute you for the legacy you have left us,” said White.
Friends and colleagues recalled stories and anecdotes about Walsh. Dave Lawrence, managing director, Fraser Gauge, Grosse Pointe, MI, remembers Walsh for setting high standards for his employees and for himself—from his first job as a bus cleaner in New York City (where Walsh was said to have paste waxed the roofs of his buses) to his supervisory positions at the New York Department of Buses, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro), among others.
In the aftermath of the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11, Walsh spent many days driving a tow truck and pulling vehicles out of the debris at Ground Zero.
Throughout his career he also was instrumental in promoting greater diversity in the workplace.
For APTA, he worked tirelessly as chair of its maintenance committee, established the brake committee in 1990 and worked to secure funds to begin APTA’s standards program.
Lawrence said, “We have better buses today in our industry because of John Walsh.” Many of Walsh’s other colleagues and friends offered their accolades and remembrances.
Dedicated Friend, Committed Professional
Mark Gambaccini, Gambaccini Transit Sales, Bethlehem, PA, said Walsh is both principled and committed. “His ‘kids’ were his buses.”
Andrew Skabowski, chief operations officer, Houston Metro, called Walsh the consummate professional.
Barton Betz, director, maintenance/support, MTA New York City Transit, recalled Walsh’s passion for his work and for meeting scheduled goals. “He made things happen based on target dates,” Betz said.
“The U.S. public transit industry has many gifted bus vehicle operations and maintenance professionals. John was in the upper echelon of that rarefied group,” said Dave Turney, chief executive officer and founding principal, EEI Strategic Consulting LLC.
Long Career of Service
Walsh is founder and chief technical officer, Clean Air for the People Inc. in Marco Island, FL. In addition to his previous positions already noted, his distinguished career includes a tenure as chief research and strategy officer, Clever Devices.
As a long-serving APTA member, he has been engaged in several committees: Bus Technical Maintenance (where he served as vice chair, 2013-2014, and immediate past chair, 1998-2000), Bus Operations, Legislative, Bus Safety, Research and Technology, Security Affairs, Bus Standards Policy & Planning and Clean Propulsion and Support Technology.
He has also been active on business member committees, including Procurement, Legislative, Liaison and Outreach, Programs and Small Business.
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White presided at a special ceremony honoring longtime transit leader John Walsh, shown on the screen, calling him a “giant in our industry.”
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