Honoring the service of our Veterans
Ahead of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of Metro’s military service members, both past and present. As some of you may know, my dad served in the Army, and I have always been very proud of that.
Yesterday morning, I had the privilege of being at South Base for a ceremonial flag raising honoring the dedication and sacrifice of veterans and their families. Thank you to all who were able to join us and especially to Metro veterans Nicci White, Rachael Buchanan, and William McCoy who spoke at the event.
In recent years, we’ve celebrated Veterans Day by sharing the stories of Metro veterans, honoring their service and unique journeys. This year, I’m pleased to highlight five more veterans—Brian Eggen, Erin McGlenn, Nicci White, Shena Burton, and Sidney Richards—who have graciously shared their experiences, including what inspired them to join Metro. Learn more about their stories below.
Meet Brian Eggen. Brian was born in New Jersey but grew up in Shoreline, Washington. After high school, Brian enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he proudly served for eight years. When we asked Brian what aspects of military life he enjoyed the most, he shared that it was the camaraderie and sense of purpose.
“The strong bonds with fellow Marines created a deep sense of belonging and esprit de corps. The discipline and structure provided a clear framework for personal growth and achievement. Additionally, the opportunity to serve a cause greater than myself and contribute to something meaningful resonated deeply with me.”
Brian goes on to share how his military service helped shape who he is today.
“My service in the Marines taught me many invaluable lessons in discipline, resilience, ownership, and teamwork. It pushed me to confront my physical and mental limits, which has helped me foster a sense of inner strength and confidence. The Corps also taught me to operate effectively under intense pressure and strongly emphasized accountability, a sense of honor, integrity, and putting others before oneself.”
After serving, Brian attended Western Washington University, where he studied Economics and Political Science. He began his career with Metro in 1998 as a Transit Operator and has held various roles since— including First-Line Supervisor, Service Quality Chief, and Base Operations Chief. For the last 7 years, Brian has been in Service Quality as the Superintendent. When we asked Brian what inspired him to begin his career at Metro, he shared that it began similarly to many of his colleagues.
“Like many of us in Bus Operations, I was looking for a good-paying, part-time job as I continued my education and attempted to figure out what I was going to do with my life. I enjoyed driving and being a bus driver sounded like something worth trying. Over the past 27 years, I have grown to truly appreciate the service we provide to this community. Metro makes a difference in people’s lives every day and being a part of that has allowed me to continue to serve our community and our First-Line Supervisors and Transit Operators.”
When asked about how his time as a Marine has helped contribute to his successes at Metro, Brian reflected:
“Our work in Service Quality involves working as part of a cohesive team, often in high-stress situations. The Marine Corps places a strong emphasis on leadership, teaching you how to lead teams effectively, make quick decisions, and motivate others. The demanding training and high standards that the Marine Corps emphasizes instilled in me a strong work ethic and the ability to perform under pressure. Most importantly, it taught me never to quit and to do what I can to serve others with honor and integrity.”
Fun fact about Brian: In his free time, Brian is most likely found on a golf course, either near his home in Bothell or in a warmer location. In fact, he recently purchased a second home on a golf course in Goodyear, Arizona, where he hopes to spend his winters once he retires.
Meet Erin McGlenn. Erin is a mother of two and a resident of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. She is a graduate of Cleveland High School and Washington State University (WSU). Erin retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2017 and reflects fondly on her years of service and the incredible experiences that came with it. She shared that one of her favorite aspects of military life was the chance to explore unique places and enjoy memorable moments.
“Military life enabled many wonderful adventures. such as observing the Northern Lights in Alaska, crossing Lake Huron when it was frozen, clamming on the Washington coast, bike riding the Colonial Triangle in Virginia, and touring monuments in Washington D.C.”
When asked how her military service has shaped who she is today, Erin highlighted the resilience, confidence, and sense of camaraderie she gained.
“Military service builds confidence beyond what people see in parades or flag ceremonies. It’s in learning on the job for new assignments, finding camaraderie among strangers, and continually showing up even when it’s hard.”
Today, Erin brings those values to her role managing programs in security and emergency management for Metro, where she oversees Building Life Safety and teaches de-escalation training.
When asked what drew her to Metro, Erin credits her early connection to the organization through her mom, Bette Lebens, who retired as an Administrative Specialist from the Vehicle Maintenance Division. Growing up with Metro’s strong support, Erin shared that she didn’t even need a driver’s license until it was time to head to WSU.
Reflecting on her military experience, Erin noted how deeply it prepared her for success at Metro.
“Military service championed teamwork so strongly that it’s become the foundation I lean into in all my work at Metro.”
Fun fact about Erin: She is a fiber artist and enjoys crochet, spinning wool, embroidery, and weaving. She shared, “creative expression is an important way to connect with self and manage life challenges.”
Meet Nicci White. Nicci grew up in upstate New York in the rural town of Catskill. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry in Geneseo, New York, which she describes as an even tinier town! In 1989, Nicci joined the Navy as an Ensign and moved to Norfolk, Virginia, and began what she thought would be a four-year stint of service but ended up being nearly 25 years.
During her time in the Navy, Nicci served on many deployments and operations, but she shared that her most memorable and rewarding tours were when she served as Commanding Officer.
“I loved working with my sailors, seeing them grow professionally, accomplishing the missions, and enjoying the challenges and rewards we all got from serving the nation.”
When we asked what other aspects of military life she enjoyed, Nicci shared:
“I enjoyed the camaraderie, the expanse of the open ocean, reserve drill weekends, and the saying ‘I stand relieved.’ Finishing a tough assignment was always good, but it was working with great people and the friends I made along the way helped get me by. I enjoyed leading just as much as I enjoyed following–military life gave me copious amounts of both.”
Nicci retired as a Commander in 2013 and relocated to San Diego with her wife Wendy and their two kids. For the next ten years, she would continue to work for the Navy, overhauling and repairing Navy cruisers and destroyers. Reflecting on her long career with the Navy, Nicci shared the impact her service made on who she is today.
“Military service taught me the importance of trusting others—sometimes even with my life—and of trusting myself to do what needs to be done. I learned that, given the opportunity, people will strive to do their best. My service also shaped my life by providing challenges and experiences that allowed me to build a life that made my wife and kids happy.”
After her time with the Navy, Nicci decided it was time for a change—new career, new city, new uniform, and new challenges. When we asked what inspired her to pursue a career with Metro, Nicci said:
“King County has a reputation for being a great place to work, with great benefits and great people. I read online about what people said about working here and that swayed me to apply. But it was really my interview panel that swayed me to work here. They were friendly and enthusiastic about what they did at Metro, specifically in the Rail Division, and that was the clincher for me.”
Today, Nicci serves as a Maintenance Planner-Scheduler in the Rail Division, where she plays a key role in planning and scheduling both planned and repair maintenance work for the Wayside section. When reflecting on how her time in the Navy has influenced her success at Metro, Nicci shared:
“The Navy showed how important it is to get out in front of problems, be positive and supportive of others, and to be willing to do the things others might shy away from. I’ve been able to apply those things to what I do for the Metro Rail Division, and my supervisors have supported me in doing it. It’s a supportive environment and one I am glad to be a part of!”
Fun fact about Nicci: She always believes that things can get better; and that we make our own future.
Meet Shenathan (Shena) Burton. Shena (pronounced she-NAY) was born in Alabama and lived throughout the Midwest before arriving in Washington state, where she has been for the last ten years. Shena served in the United States Army for four years and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri; Fort Sam Houston in Texas; Fort Riley in Kansas; and Fort Red Cloud in South Korea. Shena shared that she appreciated the stability and opportunities the military provided her and her family.
“The military provided a roof over my head growing up (my dad also served), and it became a way out of my parents’ house at 18. It allowed me to create some amazing bonds. It showed me that I was tougher than I thought. It helped pay for my education and allowed me to buy my first home. I have nothing but love for the military and am currently recommending it as an option for my own adult children.”
Shena’s time in the Army also instilled practices and values she carries into her everyday life. Reflecting on the influence of her military service, she shared:
“There are parts of it that I still implement in my life, and there are parts that, once I got out, I never looked back on. For example, I just finished co-hosting a Women’s Conference at my church. If you were in the military, you know that after every mission, you always do an AAR (After Action Review). It’s an opportunity to look back and see what you can do better or change for the next time. For someone who’s always striving for perfection, I love using this tool.”
When asked what inspired her to join Metro, Shena explained that her journey began with a deep-rooted connection to government work—a field in which she had spent much of her career.
“My first attraction to the job was the fact that it was still in the government. My whole career I have spent working in various sectors of the federal government, and each of those jobs afforded me nice benefits, job security, and a pride for the job. When I found the Bus Operations Executive Assistant job announcement, it was love at first sight. It was everything that I had been previously doing, but so much more. Not only had I found a job that I love, but the cherry on top was the amazing people who I get to work with throughout Metro. I found people who are just as passionate as me about wanting to provide excellent service. Amazing!”
Reflecting on how her military service has shaped her approach at Metro, Shena added:
“I believe it’s the pride that I got from serving my country that really has created this work ethic inside of me. I bring that pride every day to work—the pride that says we can be the best, we can be better than this, we are capable of so much more. I think all that work ethic and passion is just another way of showing my gratitude. Knowing that because of the rider, I have a job; because of the Transit Operator, I have a job; because of the First-Line Supervisor, I have a job. Because of all the amazing people I get to serve, I can provide for my family. Thank you for allowing me to serve you!”
Fun fact about Shena: If she were ever on a cruise and the ship was about to go down, she’d grab three things before jumping: her Bible, a pair of wired headphones with a solar-powered iPod Classic, and a huge container of Chapstick.
Meet Sidney Richards. Sidney served in the United States Marine Corps as a First Sergeant for 20 years, from 1999–2019, before retiring. Sidney enlisted at 18 years old and credits the experience with helping him become a better version of himself.
“I joined when I was 18, right after high school. I learned early on how to be a leader and to be responsible for others besides myself. I know that the decisions I make can affect someone else, and I’m still cognizant of that to this day.”
Expanding further, Sidney shared that the Marine Corps also provided him with purpose and professional growth.
“What I enjoyed most about the military was a sense of purpose and a deep understanding of what camaraderie truly is. From the start of your career, you are indoctrinated with the history of the Marine Corps, and you are taught to lead early on; you are trained to look out for each other.
What was also great is the constant training and development on a consistent basis—whether it’s rifle range, fitness, suicide prevention, sexual assault prevention, etc. Professional development was a critical component at all levels and a top priority.”
In 2021, Sidney joined Metro as a Talent Advisor and managed recruitments for Transit Operators and Transit Supervisor-In-Training positions. Today, he is currently on Special Duty Assignment (SDA) as a Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist in the Employee Services Division. Prior to the SDA, Sidney served as a Transit Chief in the Bus Operations Division. When asked what inspired him to join Metro, Sidney reflected:
“My first thought coming to Metro was that there was a lot of room for growth here, both personally and professionally; it was a selfish and self-serving decision at the time. Once I started working here, I realized that there is much more here than that. I appreciate the way this organization strives to provide excellence and service to the community and also find ways of doing things better for its employees and its customers, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Sidney attributes his success at Metro to the values instilled in him during his time in the Marine Corps.
“I believe my time in the Marine Corps has contributed to my success here at Metro because the Marines taught me about leadership, resilience, work ethic, and working as part of a team and for a bigger purpose.”
Fun fact about Sidney: He’s a personal trainer who loves staying fit and helping others achieve their fitness goals.
Thank you for sharing your stories and experiences with us, Brian, Erin, Nicci, Shena, and Sidney. We are grateful to each of you and for your service—both to our country and at Metro.