In just seven years at King County Metro, Frank Wood has established himself as the kind of coworker his fellow mechanics want to have around.
His supportive attitude and willingness to mentor new mechanics has inspired others and is a large part of why Wood was recently honored as Metro’s Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year for 2019.
Wood accepted the award at East Base in front of family, coworkers, supervisors, and King County General Manager Rob Gannon.
“Frank Wood has set a standard that his fellow mechanics look up to and that is why we are here today. He is an integral member of his base team – reliable and positive in his work,” General Manager Gannon said. “His willingness to mentor new mechanics really strengthens and knits together the maintenance team and inspires others and shows why he is so deserving of this recognition. All of us at King County Metro value Frank’s service and dedication.”
Wood began working at Metro in 2012 at Ryerson Base on the graveyard shift, eventually making his way to Atlantic Base in Sodo, where he worked on implementation of the new trolley fleet.
He is now a member of the Bellevue Base Team where he works with his base chief to ensure maintenance gets done on both battery-electric and diesel-hybrid buses. Wood brings a great sense of humor and positive, upbeat attitude to maintain Bellevue Base’s reputation for safe, reliable buses.
“Other employees go to Frank because he is a true leader among peers and works hard to make sure they’re involved and engaged, making him invaluable to his team and the rest of King County Metro,” said Metro’s Vehicle Maintenance Division Director Chris Parrott.
One coworker spoke of Wood as an inspiration, sharing that he “mentored and showed me the fundamentals of how Atlantic Base works. He has made my job here not only a lot easier to navigate, but also enjoyable. He is one of the best Lead Mechanics Metro has.”
Wood lives in Arlington, where he likes to spend time with family, ride motorcycles, and work on classic cars and old tractors.
Wood’s photo will appear on a commemorative placard on Metro buses for the next year.
Congratulations to Frank Wood on being named 2019 Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year and we thank him for his dedication, commitment, and leadership!