Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month (November-December 2024)
They produce TV shows for their community and enjoy playing and watching soccer. They love to barbecue and go out to eat. One taught music in Amsterdam, another was inspired by bus rides to school to become a bus driver. Those who ride with them say they “made my afternoon,” are “very inspiring,” and is “the best driver I ever met.”
They are operators with 200 years of professional driving experience! The operators on your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community.
Meet your Operators of the Month for November and December 2024
We love to hear from our riders about their operators! Please share your comments about our drivers. Interested in becoming a transit operator? Visit “Start your Metro career” to explore well-paying positions with full benefits and a pension in transit operations, trades, rail operations, customer information and countless other fields.
(Information provided by the operators)
Atlantic Base | November 2024: Mustaphe Kaid
Mustaphe began driving for Metro in 2013 and has been a full-time operator since 2015. He has several years of safe driving and 21 commendations.
Born in Somalia, Mustaphe has lived in King County for over 27 years. He became a transit operator to make a positive impact and serve the community by providing the best possible public transportation service.
Married with five children, Mustaphe is an active member in his community. He produces, broadcasts and delivers media on the SomTV YouTube channel where he hosts a show.
Mustaphe’s advice to other operators: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”
Passenger praise: “The driver saw me and others running to the stop and he gave a small honk letting us know he saw us and waited for us to get there. He made my afternoon!”
Atlantic Base | December 2024: Grover Williams
Grover began driving for Metro in 2009 and became a full-time operator in 2012. He has several years of safe driving and 17 commendations.
Grover was born in Seattle. He has been a driver in all of his past employment endeavors, so joining Metro came naturally to him.
When Grover is not driving, he enjoys playing poker and making people laugh.
Grover’s advice to other operators: “Stay focused and be safe.”
Passenger praise: “Our driver was so incredibly kind to an elderly rider who needed help finding her way. He was so kind and professional; it was honestly very inspiring.”
Bellevue Base | November 2024: Ken Woo
Ken joined Metro in 1992 and went full-time in 1996. He has numerous years of safe driving and nine commendations.
Raised in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, Ken thought it would be fun to drive a bus, so driving for Metro has been a perfect fit!
When not driving, Ken enjoys spending time with his son and daughter, family and friends. He also enjoys dining out, traveling, hiking, walking, and going fishing with his son.
Ken’s advice to other operators: “Be patient, stay cool and relax. Don’t stress!”
Passenger praise: “The driver was super friendly. He helped us tighten the belt on my baby stroller. The best driver I’ve ever met.”
Bellevue Base | December 2024: Caleb Benson
Caleb joined Metro in 2015 and went full-time in 2016. He has several years of safe driving and three commendations.
Caleb was born in Redmond. He and his wife have two sons.
When not driving, Caleb enjoys working on cars and cooking barbecue on his smoker.
Passenger praise: “Courteous, helpful, informative and safe!”
Central Base |November 2024: Abdirahman Ali
Ali began driving part-time at Metro in 2007 and has been full-time since 2010. He has multiple years of safe driving and has received 15 commendations.
Ali was born in Somalia where he was a community organizer before moving to Seattle in 1990. His search for a job where he could be part of a team and serve the community brought him to Metro.
Ali and his wife have three children. When not driving, he enjoys watching football (soccer).
Ali’s advice to other operators: “Be a team player. We are like a second family working together with the common goal of serving the community.”
Passenger praise: “The driver is great at interacting with the passengers.”
Central Base | December 2024: Chris Fagan
Chris began driving part-time for Metro in 1998. He has earned numerous years of safe driving and has received six commendations. This is the second time his fellow drivers have recognized Chris as an Operator of the Month.
Born in Seattle Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and government from Pomona College.
Before joining Metro, Chris had a career as a musician. He received a grant to study in New York, taught at a conservatory in Amsterdam and performed and recorded with several jazz and rock music legends.
Chris has one adult son. When he’s not driving, he enjoys playing the saxophone, flute and clarinet.
Chris’ advice to other operators: “Be nice and don’t take the job home with you.”
Passenger praise: “Traffic was awful, but the driver was patient and communicative with the passengers while maintaining a sense of humor with the folks he picked up along the way.”
East Base | November 2024: Theautrey Brown
“Thea” joined Metro in 2017. He has several years of safe driving and 11 commendations.
Thea was born in Memphis, Tenn., where he earned a degree in business communications at Memphis State University.
After 17 years working for the city of Seattle, he decided he wanted to try something different. A friend suggested he apply to Metro. The valuable experiences that Thea has gained being a transit operator has given him a greater understanding of customer service.
Thea enjoys going on walks, working in the yard, listening to music, watching YouTube, and, most importantly, Sunday football.
Thea’s advice to other operators: “The job we do each day is hard on our mind, body, and soul. Meditate, exercise, pray, or do what you do to keep your spirits high.”
Passenger praise: “This driver’s smile lights up the morning. Please thank him for the lift that smile brings to every rider on his bus.”
East Base | December 2024: Tom Phiel
Tom joined Metro in 2019 and went full-time the same year. He has several years of safe driving and 10 commendations.
Tom grew up in Enumclaw and attended Western Washington University in Bellingham where he studied theater arts and education.
After working for the city of Kent for over 20 years, Tom joined Metro on the recommendation of his then father-in-law who worked out of Atlantic Base. It turned out to be a great choice because Tom enjoys working with the public.
Outside of driving, Tom is raising two teenage boys and he enjoys spending time brewing beer, hiking, camping and performing in local community theaters.
Tom’s advice to other operators: “We’re all in this together! Always stay safe and choose kindness.”
Passenger praise: “Nicest driver I’ve ever had. Super friendly, enthusiastic and a great driver. He made my day!”
North Base | November 2024: Galina Grayfer
Galina joined Metro in 2006 and has been a full-time since 2008. She has multiple years of safe driving and 13 commendations.
Born in Russia, Galina moved to the U.S. in 1998. She came to Metro after working at a retirement home for several years and for Community Transit. Galina likes to drive and enjoys being around people.
When not driving, Galina enjoys spending her time reading and painting. She has two daughters
Galina’s advice to other operators: “Be nice to other people and help them if you can.”
Passenger praise: “She’s so professional and patient and skilled and polite!! Everything I could ever hope for from a driver. She helps me feel calm and reminds me of the importance of being good and kind. ”
North Base | December 2024: Colleen MacIntyre
Colleen joined Metro in 2017. She has several years of safe driving and 19 commendations.
Colleen was born in Wiesbaden, Germany where her dad was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. After a career as a Montessori teacher, she became a transit operator because it allows her to make a contribution that benefits the environment, the region and affords her a life-work balance.
When she’s not driving, Colleen enjoys spending her time dancing, backpacking and skiing.
Colleen’s advice to other operators: “I remind myself that a warm smile and a kind manner really do make a difference. ‘Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.’ ~ Mother Teresa”
Passenger praise: “This bus driver always says ‘good afternoon’ in a really nice way to everyone who gets on the bus. She compliments people, bringing a smile to their face!”
Ryerson Base | November 2024: Jamal Adam
Jamal began driving at Metro in 2015 and went full-time in 2016. He has several years of safe driving and eight commendations.
Jamal was born in Somalia. He applied to Metro because he likes driving and he’s a people person.
When not driving, Jamal likes to play soccer. He and his wife have three children.
Jamal’s advice to other operators: “Respect your fellow drivers.”
Passenger praise: “My friend was taking the bus to our house for the first time, and she got lost. The driver called me to let me know where she was waiting. After I got her, the driver called me to make sure she got picked up! Wow, it was so nice!!”
Ryerson Base | December 2024: Jhulian Ledda
Jhulian began driving at Metro in 2016 and has been a full-time operator since 2017. He has several years of safe driving and seven commendations.
Born in the Phillipines, Jhulian moved to Seattle at age 13 where he finished school at Cleveland High School and then attended PIMA Medical Institute.
Jhulian was fascinated with buses when he came to the U.S. He was inspired to join Metro because of a driver whose bus he rode to Cleveland High School.
When not driving, Jhulian enjoys hiking, traveling, going to the gun range, playing video games, and cooking.
Jhulian’s advice to other operators: “Kindness and courtesy can go a long way. Always be kind to everyone.”
Passenger praise: “I want to commend the driver on Saturday mornings. He’s a master driver. He pulls up perfectly in front of me and I never have to walk to the door. He deserves all the praise!!!”
South Base | November 2024: Lee Coniglio
Lee joined Metro in 2010 and went full-time in 2013. He has multiple years of safe driving and seven commendations.
Lee was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Seattle in 1999. He came to Metro after a 28-year career as a baggage handler for United Airlines. Lee needed a job that wasn’t so hard on his body. Joining Metro was the best career decision he ever made.
Lee enjoys all kinds of sports and is a season ticket holder to the Seattle Kraken. He also enjoys traveling the world. Lee and his wife have a daughter and two grandsons.
Lee’s advice to other operators: “Always use your mirrors and never take anything personally. Don’t take anything negative home with you.”
Passenger praise: “Excellent ride and driver. Kind and patient with seniors, kneels the bus, smooth starts and stops. He announces the destination for riders who get on at the Alaska Junction so everyone knows what route we’re traveling. Thank you!”
South Base |December 2024: Dahir Ahmed
Dahir joined Metro in 2017 and went full-time in 2018. He has several years of safe driving and seven commendations.
Dahir was born and raised in Somalia and attended Mogadishu University until war broke out. When he came to the United States, Dahir became a transit operator because he likes to serve his community.
Dahir and his wife have seven children. When not driving, he likes to play soccer.
Dahir’s advice to other operators: “Enjoy your day and know that every day is a good day. Don’t let anyone make your day miserable.”
Passenger praise: “There was road work around my stop. This driver went out of his way to make sure I could get off the bus safely.”
Every month, operators from King County Metro’s seven transit bases select an Operator of the Month. Each operator recognized demonstrates safe driving skills, is courteous and helpful and pays conscientious attention to attendance appearance and discipline.
Please join us in congratulating them. Our Operators of the Month later vote on who among them will be chosen as Metro’s Operator of the Year!