Mark Montgomery, facilities manager with Omnitrans, has been named the agency’s employee of the year for 2020.
A 15-year employee of San Bernardino County’s largest transit agency, Montgomery was recognized for “fearlessly” securing electric infrastructure for Omnitrans’ first 100 percent battery powered zero-emission buses, according to a statement on the agency’s website.
In 2018, the California Air Resources Board set a statewide goal for public transit agencies to gradually begin transitioning to zero emission bus fleets.
“Zero emissions vehicles are new to Omnitrans and to the transit industry altogether,” Montgomery said in the statement. “It was a challenge determining the right type of charging equipment. I attended webinars to learn what is available and reached out to fellow agencies for recommendations.”
Omnitrans’ first zero emissions buses are expected to debut this year, according to the statement.
Montgomery was also named the agency’s top employee for the fourth quarter of 2020.