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Greetings, friends. After three years at the helm of TAPS, it's great to be back with Transportation Services full-time and focused exclusively on our work together to make UC San Diego an easy place to get to, from, and around. Even more exciting is the chance to welcome some long time partners into the "new and improved" Transportation Services. With Strategic Energy Initiatives and Fleet Services formally joining the family, we've finally got all the transportation modes and the fuels that keep us moving back together. Just one month in, we're already starting to see more collaboration across organizational lines and I'm know we'll find more opportunities with each passing week. 

Few departments can claim as profound an impact on the day-to-day experience of the campus as Transportation Services. We shape the first and last impressions as folks arrive and depart. We help them find their way and move effortlessly as they explore the campus. There's a role for each of us to play in creating those great experiences and that's a huge part of what we talk about when we discuss Campus Activation. 

You can expect to hear more from me on this topic and others in the coming months. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Call or text anytime at 858.227.2785 or drop me a note at JoshK@ucsd.edu.

Transportation Services Holiday Party!

December 6, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Ida and Cecil Green Faculty Club (on campus)

UC San Diego Employee Wellness and Recreation are now providing Bright Breaks for FREE to all campus staff and faculty!

Choose between hundreds of stretching, exercise, breathwork, dietary or learning videos between three and ten minutes as a mindful break. 

Sign up today!

Open Enrollment, your once-a-year opportunity to review and select benefit offerings at UC San Diego, began October 31 at 8 a.m. PST, and ends on Friday, November 22 at 5 p.m. PST.

Enroll for benefits on the UCPath portal here.

Thank you to all Transportation Services team members who had a part in organizing, staffing and promoting the second annual Clean Air Day Electric Mobility Fair! We had over 200 individuals take the Clean Air Day pledge to try a sustainable mode of transportation in celebration of the California-wide event. On display were a wide range of electric vehicles, ranging from SUVs to sedans, generously displayed by UC San Diego staff. Special shout out to Triton Transit for displaying the Proterra ZX5 fully electric bus, and to our vendors the Electric Vehicle team, Enterprise CarShare, Spin Scooters, Public Transit Enthusiasts and Campus Bike & Skate!

Transportation Services would like to elevate and honor a select group of employees who have reached incredible service milestones with the university! Each team member below has been with the university for more than ten years, and some have been with the Triton family for as many as 30 years! We thank you for your loyalty and commitment to the campus community. 

Triton Transit is proud to highlight Ava Falagan, one of Triton Transit’s key leaders! Ava is being recognized for over 15 years of amazing hard work, dedication and leadership with UC San Diego. Ava joined the university in 2008, and was promoted to being a Lead Driver in 2022. Ava has continued her professional development and growth with the team, increasing her responsibilities and skills in support of the team’s continued improvement, and we are excited to support her. Ava is a very friendly, reliable and hard-working individual. Her family is her top priority, and she enjoys being able to spend quality time with them, especially her grandchildren! Ava is grateful to be a part of the UC San Diego family as well, and is grateful to be on a team that looks after and takes care of their employees and colleagues. — Jose Perez

Of all the years I've known Ronnie, he's offered the department a wealth of experience and is always willing to help others. He's always been a self-starter with high productivity and a can-do attitude. I asked him several times in a couple of different ways on how he maintains his high energy and each time responding with, it just makes the day go by quicker... It's as simple as that and he hasn't slowed down a step. — Marco Arciniega 

Chris Mitchell has been a cornerstone of UC San Diego Fleet Services since May 18, 1998, celebrating 25 years of dedicated service. His elevated skills in automotive maintenance and repair have been instrumental in the department's success over the past three decades. Known throughout the department and across UC San Diego as a colleague, a friend, and the go-to hero when a vehicle needs repair, Chris is an all-around great person whose presence positively impacts everyone he works with. — Jonny Mason

Congratulations to Joe Madueno for reaching a remarkable milestone of 10 years with us as a dedicated heavy-duty technician! His hard work, attention to detail, and proactive approach have been key to keeping our operations running smoothly. Joe’s ability to communicate effectively with both peers and leadership has contributed significantly to the team’s success. His insightful input on various technical issues has always been valuable, helping us navigate through even the toughest challenges. We greatly appreciate his constant willingness to go the extra mile to ensure that every job is completed to the highest standard. Thank you for your dedication and for continuously driving our team forward. — Jonny Mason

Celebrating 20 incredible years of service, Bill! His expertise and unwavering dedication have been the backbone of the Heavy Duty Technician team. Over the years, Bill’s deep knowledge and keen insight have guided us through countless complex situations. Bill is a mentor who consistently shares valuable advice and fosters a positive environment for learning and growth. We are grateful for the countless contributions you’ve made, ensuring our operations remain efficient and effective. Thank you for your commitment and for being an irreplaceable part of our team.

— Jonny Mason

Mike Conley’s time at the university has been marked by significant growth in both his skills and his commitment to advocating for his colleagues and team. He treats staff — full-time and students — like family. Our student staff, in particular, gravitate toward Mike's leadership.

Starting as a PM team Special Events Parking associate, Mike quickly progressed to become the PM lead for the Special Events Parking team. Most recently, he has taken on the role of Assistant Manager in Field Services, a well-deserved position that reflects his years of hard work and dedication. — Jim Gunn

During his years of service at the university, Marco has consistently demonstrated flexibility in his work and with his team, readily adjusting workloads when needed. He has also built strong rapport with his colleagues, making him approachable and easy to talk to. Marco's friendly demeanor and positive attitude create a comfortable atmosphere for everyone around him. — Jim Gunn

Jim Gunn’s journey with UC San Diego began 15 years ago when he joined Transportation Services as the Night Supervisor in Field Operations. His dedication and leadership quickly became apparent, and within a few years, Jim transitioned to daytime operations and soon took on the role of supervising the entire Event team.

Jim has not only excelled professionally but has also built lasting friendships and strong partnerships across campus. His ability to connect with others has made him a valued member of the UC San Diego community.

Outside of work, Jim enjoys spending quality time with his family. A favorite tradition of his is baking with his mom during the holidays, and he always looks forward to store runs with his dad. However, the light of his life is his beloved dog Whitten, a golden Labrador who is as sweet as can be. If you didn’t guess, another love of Jim’s is 49er football.

Jim’s passion for both his work and personal life shines through in all that he does, and UC San Diego is fortunate to have him as part of the team.

— Jennifer Rodgers

Although Allen’s time in Field Services is short compared to his time with the University, Allen has been a great addition to the team. Allen approaches each shift with a smile and a laugh. He’s great addition to the team; whether you are talking about his favorite teams, or covering topics in a meeting, Allen is positive and upbeat. — Jim Gunn

Each month, Transportation Services recognizes one of our student employees with a $250 scholarship. Congratulations to Vincent Wong on receiving the November scholarship award!

Vincent Wong joined the Triton Transit Team in the Spring of 2023. On April 7 of last year, Vincent accomplished his goal of obtaining his Commercial Drivers License. He has become a very positive asset to the department along with being a great co-worker with others. Vincent hails from the San Fernando Valley area. He is majoring in Electrical Engineering and is planning to graduate in June of 2026. Vincent gets enjoyment from playing rhythm games, which by Vincent, are his favorite. Vincent’s career aim is to someday have a profession in an Electrical Processing Plant after finishing his education.  

Meet Connie Drew, one of Triton Transit’s incredible assistant managers! Connie began her career with the university in February of 2018 as a driver and has been a valued member of the Triton Transit team ever since, progressing in both her skills and responsibilities. Connie earned her promotion to assistant manager in 2023 after successfully assisting the team in an interim management position throughout 2022 and has continued to develop her leadership skills.

Connie has been in the public transit industry for over 15 years, starting as a driver, to trainer, to classroom instructor/supervisor at Transdev which provided operational support to MTS. What Connie most enjoys about her time at Triton Transit are the daily interactions with staff and management, and being able to help mold our student drivers into the best people they can be. Connie also enjoys the support from her leaders and peers, and appreciates being respected and being heard while providing her insights and input.

We look forward to Connie’s continued professional growth, and continue to encourage visits with her and our team at the Triton Transit Operations Trailer located in P703.

Hi everyone, my name is Brianne “Brie” Graham. I'm excited to join the Transportation Services team as the new Parking Sales and Service Manager. For the past five years, I've been with MTS, working in Support Services and the Paratransit and Minibus department. Before that, I honed my skills in customer service roles and as a Manager at Starbucks. When I'm not at work, you'll likely find me hanging out with my furry friends. I've got some adorable dogs and horses that keep me busy. I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you and seeing what exciting things we can accomplish together!