Don Steadman is a volunteer for the Sheridan Senior Center transportation department. His volunteer driving duties are primarily in the rural areas of Dayton and Ranchester where he is involved with home-delivered meals and assisting at the rural meal site through the lunch hour. Don maintains a positive attitude and is a true advocate, not only of the Sheridan Senior Center where he serves on the board of directors, but for the transportation department.
     Don was very instrumental in working with Ron Mischke of Farm Bureau Financial who donated a 1998 four-wheel drive GMC Savana with a lift for use in our transit system. This vehicle has been used in the outlying areas where travel is somewhat of a problem in the winter and where traditionally we did not have a bus with a lift available.
     When Don returns to Sheridan in the afternoon from the rural communities, he is always willing to help out with the in-town rides. His upbeat manner makes him a joy to work with. We miss him when we don’t need him to volunteer for a week or two!

     I would like to nominate START’s driver Johnny Ziem for the 2004 WYTRANS Driver of the Year. Johnny has been with START six years, and in that time he has grown into a first-class transit professional. Johnny has an easy-going way with the people who ride his bus. We get positive comments all the time from people who have ridden with Johnny. He’s a great driver and a real asset to START.
Over the years, Johnny has also taken it upon himself to become PASS certified and fills in from time to time as our ADA driver. He also excels in this area and shows a wonderful degree of sensitivity. He always brings a smile to the folks he comes in contact with. He’s got a great sense of humor and is never in a sour mood. His co-workers can’t help but cheer up when Johnny is around. He treats everyone fairly and with respect. This year, his co-workers chose him “START’s Employee of the Year.”
     He is very entertaining and all WYTRANS members should vote for Johnny just so they can have a chance to meet him at the Bus Roadeo in June. He’s the kind of person you won’t soon forget.

     It is my pleasure to nominate Jake Paslar for the WYTRANS Driver of the Year. Jake has been with WRTA Bus Lines for nearly two years and has proven to be an exemplary employee. Jake was born and raised in southern Russia and moved to the U.S. around 1989. He and his family moved to Wyoming from Florida in late 2002.
     He was hired at WRTA Bus Lines in 2002 and has been going full throttle ever since. Dependable, hard working, and conscientious, Jake is a caring individual who can always be counted on to help out in any unexpected situation. Jake goes about his regular duties with a smile, of course. His co-workers fondly refer him to as the “Russian Cowboy,” and his soft-spoken style and attention to detail are greatly appreciated by all who meet him or ride his bus.