2026 Safety Awards

Each year, GBT recognizes the outstanding efforts of its bus drivers, maintenance employees, and other staff members for their commitment to safety. This year’s awards ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Underlying GBT’s mission — contributing to a better community through public transportation — is safety. Providing safe service to our riders, the people who count on us every day, is crucial.

On a typical weekday, there are about 15,000 boardings on GBT buses — drivers are on the road more than 540 hours every day. They drive enough miles each month to travel around the world more than six times. They operate, 365 days a year, in all kinds of conditions. To do this without incident is no small achievement.

“These employees often exceed expectations to provide the best service possible. It’s a great pleasure to honor them all.”

—Steven DeMichele, GBT CEO

Drivers with 15+ Years of Safety

We don’t have photos of everyone because… drivers were out driving.

James Gantt – 30 Years Safety Award

James Gantt has been driving GBT buses at the highest safety levels for 30 years. James is also a GBT Safety Instructor.

Dean Farmassony – 26 Years Safety Award

Dean Farmassony has been driving GBT buses at the highest safety levels for 26 years. Dean is also a GBT Safety Instructor.

Jean Page – 18 Years Safety Award

Kimberly Giles – 17 Years Safety Award

Gerri Dantzler – 17 Years Safety Award

Orlando Abrams – 17 Years Safety Award

Selby Quashie – 16 Years Safety Award

Denham Wilson – 16 Years Safety Award

Jose Cumpa – 16 Years Safety Award

Fixed Route Bus Driver Award Winners

NOTE: Number listed = Number of years driving at the highest safety levels

Orlando Abrams • 17
Isaiah Acevedo • 2
Nilda Agosto-Caraballo • 4
Lisa Aponte • 7
Tina Baker • 4
Eliezer Bello • 5
Delroy Bennett • 2
Troy Berrios • 8
Kevin Boone • 3
Axel Champagne • 6
Angel Collazo • 2
William Correa • 11
Tyrone Craig • 9
Luis Cruz • 3
Jose Cumpa • 16
Kydia Cyprien • 1
Gerri Dantzler • 17
Solomon Denard • 6
Sandra Diaz • 11
Dean Farmassony • 26
Ansumana Fofana • 9
Whitnee Frederick • 1
James Gantt • 30
Anthony Genao • 5
Kimberly Giles • 17
Linda Gillard • 14
David Gonzalez • 1
Patrick Gordon • 3
Jasmine Gore • 3
Veronica Green • 9
Katina Hancock • 1
Raul Harris • 11
Patrick Jean-Pierre • 3
Karen Johnson • 1
Jean Robert Labastille • 9
Alli Lawrence • 1
Sean Liggins • 12
Darryl Manson • 12
Wilby Martin • 3
Timothy Martin • 6
Wendy Martinez • 8
Jacqueline Mercado • 3
Woodrow Minick • 13
Glenwood Nelson • 12
Herve Nonez • 10
Ricardo Olmo • 8
Jean Page • 18
Alexandre Pierre • 8
Patricia Rabb • 12
Kadesiah Randolph • 2
George Reid • 9
Dwayne Rucker • 2
Jeremy Shoffner • 3
Aldry Smith • 3
James Smith • 8
Marsha Smith • 14
Latasha Streater • 4
Catherine Teasley • 7
Wanda Traylor • 2
Nikita Wilson • 3
Denham Wilson • 16
Ieasha Wright • 7

Paratransit Bus Driver Award Winners

NOTE: Number listed = Number of years driving at the highest safety levels

Jose Caban • 7
Rafael DeJesus • 12
Selby Quaashie • 21
Cordero Roberto • 1
Fernandez Reynol • 1
Vargas Pablo • 1

Maintenance Award Winners

NOTE: Number listed = Number of years driving at the highest safety levels

Deshawn Gibbs • 1
Aaron Johnson • 1
Jose Montalvo • 4
Leroy Smith • 4
Emanuel Martinez • 5
Margaret Goode • 7
Charles Dean • 8
Warren Rose • 8
Garfield Earle • 9
Billy Brown • 10
Anibal Gonzalez Jr • 11
Michele Green • 11
Basel Needham • 11
Donovan Samuels • 11
Moises Rivera • 11

Dispatch & Supervisor Award Winners

NOTE: Number listed = Number of years driving at the highest safety levels

Tanesha Murdock • 10
William Polotaye • 10
Jorge Medina • 11
Elvin Bonilla • 12
Alicia Smith • 12
Ndepo Atse • 17

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