The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) honored coach operator Elisha Rainwaters, maintenance employee Bill Carlson and administrative employee Adriann Cardoso as employees of the year for 2011.
Lake Forest resident, Elisha Rainwaters has been an OCTA coach operator for 35 years and has maintained a 33-year safe driving record.
Rainwaters says the best part of his job is driving route 85 with friendly riders and scenic views.
Bill Carlson, journeyman electric technician in the maintenance department, has worked at OCTA for 30 years.
A Corona resident, Carlson is assigned with the most difficult and challenging electronics tasks, including installing headsign programs for the entire OCTA fleet.
Adriann Cardoso, a state and federal programming manager, has worked at OCTA for three years and is in charge of financial planning for capital projects.
Cardoso played a vital role in the procurement of $450 million in state and federal funds in 2010 to bring transportation improvements to Orange County residents.
"These individuals are dedicated to providing the highest quality of service to the people of Orange County," said OCTA Chairman Paul Glaab, also the mayor of Laguna Niguel. "They exemplify OCTA's core values of integrity, customer focus, can-do spirit, communication and teamwork and I thank them for their dedication and hard work."
