Community Transit

Drewel, PSE Bothell Honored at Smart Commuter Awards

April 10, 2012

2011 Smart Commuter of the Year Steven McAdams with Community Transit CEO Joyce Eleanor

Awards recognize promotion of alternative commuting

Snohomish County, Wash. – Community Transit honored the top businesses and employee commuters in Snohomish County at its 15th Annual Smart Commuter Awards today in Lynnwood. Puget Sound Energy – Bothell took the Employer of the Year award for helping to reduce single-occupant trips to its workplace, while Steven McAdams was named Smart Commuter of the Year.

Bob Drewel, executive director of the Puget Sound Regional Council and former Snohomish County Executive, was presented with the Legacy Award for his commitment to commute trip reduction. Drewel has attended all 15 of Community Transit award ceremonies in support of alternative commuting.

“Bob Drewel is a man of principle who has focused his efforts at the PSRC on planning for a sustainable future for our region based on maintaining and improving our quality of life,” said Community Transit CEO Joyce Eleanor. “He remains a true supporter of transit and livable communities in Snohomish County.”

The Smart Commuter Awards, formerly the Visionary Awards, were established to celebrate businesses and employees in Snohomish County and Bothell that promote greater use of commute alternatives and support of employer transportation programs. Community Transit works with businesses in the county to promote alternative commutes as part of Washington state’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law.

The program is funded in partnership with WSDOT, local governments and businesses. Smart Commuter Award winners are chosen by a Peer Advisory Board composed of five members and two alternates representing Employee Transportation Coordinators from Snohomish County and Bothell employers. The mission of the board is to provide a forum for discussing issues and developing recommendations for resolution, recognition and special projects regarding commute trip reduction in Snohomish County.

The 2011 Smart Commuter Award winners are:

Smart Commuter of the Year Award - Steven McAdams, Bayer HealthCare, Unincorporated Snohomish County

As head of security for a pharmaceutical company, Steven McAdams avoids the headache of a stressful commute. He and his family carpool or use the bus to get to work, shopping and entertainment. He is so committed to alternative commuting he convinced his family to downsize from being a three-car family to owning just one car. In the process, they’ve made their finances – and the earth – a lot healthier.

This award is given to one of the four recipients of the Smart Commuter of the Quarter award during 2011, for demonstrating exceptional dedication and commitment to using commute alternatives to and from their CTR-affected worksite.

Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) of the Year Award Cindi Gyselinck, AT&T

Cindi Gyselinck assisted AT&T Bothell in successfully adopting its ORCA Passport Program in record time. This provided more than 2,500 employees with a transit pass that allows them to access regional public transportation. She also stayed ahead of the transportation curve by selling “Good to Go” passes to employees impacted by the Highway 520 tolling project.

Gyselinck is a member of the Snohomish County Peer Advisory Board and is active in the Washington State Ridesharing Organization as a member of their Promotion Advisory Committee.

This award is given to the Employee Transportation Coordinator who has demonstrated superior commitment to his or her worksite’s employee transportation program.

Employer of the Year Award Puget Sound Energy - Bothell

Puget Sound Energy is committed to providing its employees with a program that meets the diverse commute needs of the company’s employee population, which makes its CTR program a model for other businesses in Snohomish County and Bothell. The program includes an effective ridematch system that is tailored to the company’s specific worksite population, which was supported with a Smart Commuter Grant. In addition, PSE’s program includes an ORCA pass that offers access to the region’s transit providers and a vanpool subsidy, encouraging employees to make the most of these available commute alternatives.

This award is given to a CTR-affected business in Snohomish County or Bothell for its outstanding efforts in reducing employee commute trips.

More information about Community Transit’s Smart Commuter program can be found at www.communitytransit.org/smartcommuter.

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