I must say that this issue on Women Working in Public Transportation was not easy to put together, but for each difficulty, there was an equal amount of fun and good laughs. I met some fantastic people along the way, and I can’t thank enough all of those who have participated and contributed to this project. There it is! This one is for you! First and foremost, thank you to Kathy Vasquez, Rebecca Sanchez, Nedrea Morgan, Andrea Watkins, Sipriana Farrell, Robert Advincula, and David Cameron, the operators, conductors, and train engineers who accepted to be interviewed on their layover, or on their day off all dressed up in their uniform so that we could snap a few pictures. You were fabulous, and I had a terrific time sharing a bit of your daily occupational adventures! Thank you to Metrolink executives, Elissa Konove, Patricia Torres Bruno, and Gail Davis for taking time off their busy schedules to meet with me, and share their views on women working in public transportation and their place in society. It was a pleasure meeting you.
But, none of this, of course, would have happened without the transportation agencies, themselves, who accepted my proposal and granted me authorizations to interview their employees. Thank you to Jose Ubaldo (Communications Manager Media Relations LA County MTA) who approved my suggestions, authorized my meetings with their operators at their facilities, and put me in touch with a great female rail operator. Thanks to Scott Johnson (Metrolink Assistant Public Affairs Officer), for being so kind and helpful, for his participation and involvement with this issue, and for arranging interviews with wonderful Metrolink female executives. I appreciated his inviting me and welcoming me to the Metrolink headquarters. Thank you to Renee Graham (Amtrak Manager of Media Relations) for giving me permission to interview Metrolink crews, which are Amtrak employees. Thanks to Eric Carpenter (OCTA Media Relations Specialist) for his kindness and diligence, for his help and contribution to this issue, and for putting up with my many email messages. I am grateful for the time and effort he invested in getting a few loose ends tied up—because unexpected situations and road blocks can happen—and for his quick response to my Plan B. I definitely appreciate the trust all of you placed in me based only on the first issue of my magazine. I understand that not many people are privy to such behind-the-scene access and Press accommodations. A great compliment indeed!
We can't forget all the managers and supervisors who went out of their way to facilitate my visit to their bases. All of you were so helpful and diligent. Thanks to Peter Mellon (Metro Transportation Operations Manager Division 9) who welcomed me to his division, and patiently went along with my asking to move a bus a few inches this way or that way to catch a better light for the photographs. Thanks to Deborah Williams and Jobo Dargbe (Metro Transportation Operations Managers Division 2) for letting me on their base to take pictures and interview one of their operators. Thank you to Frank Amparan (OCTA Assistant Base Manager, Santa Ana Base Operations) for the warm welcome, his interest in my magazine and for listening to all my little anecdotes leading to it. I really had a great time meeting with you, Sipriana Farrell, and Eric Carpenter that day.
Thank you to Richard Hassan, Mike Caldwell, Veronica Woods, and Felix Cruz, my fellow commuters, whom I have harassed until I “squeezed” (you know which one of you I’m talking about!) interviews out of them… Thanks for playing along, and for putting up with my endless picture snapping, on the train, in front of the bus, next to the train, left, right, here, there… well you know!
Thanks to Suzanne Dobrijevich and Rick Cancino for sticking around for the second issue, and for planning on staying. Thanks to my neighbor, Chuck Jones (Amtrak Lead Service Attendant), who takes the most incredible pictures on his voyages, and which pictures I largely oblige myself to. Hey, you told me I could use them!!!
Thanks to Doug Jeffrey (Editor for World of Firepower and Knives Illustrated) for his advice, his kindness, and for listening to my updates about the magazine, and the occasional frustration I encounter along the publishing world’s winding road. Your suggestions and encouragements are always appreciated.
Finally, thanks to Scott Holmes, who patiently and surgically reviewed all the articles for the magazine. I couldn’t have done it without you as your experience and knowledge is invaluable. You have definitely earned your badge of honor as “Volunteer Senior Editor”!!! I appreciate the time that you have given me, and all the suggestions, encouragements, and little “pick-me-up’s” you offered.
Last, but not least, thank you to Genae Jefferson—who’s been there since the very beginning of this crazy adventure—for her time spent sharing ideas with me, reading, proofing, and writing pieces for this issue, and who has, more than once, brought me back on earth when my plans were well on their way to a little dwarf planet called Ceres, but got lost somewhere between Mars and Jupiter in the realms of the unrealistic.
I hope I didn’t forget anyone, but if I did, I thank you anyway.
You guys rocks! That was fun! Let’s do it again!
THANKS
Mohymont
Al
111 - Ceres Magazine - Winter 2016