The Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK) presented employees Carlos Sanchez and Elaine Stewart with the organization’s Rick Ryckeghem Award at a recent workforce development event, MetroLINK announced in a news release.
Prior to his 2019 retirement, Mr. Sanchez was a MetroLINK driver for more than 33 years. In his nomination package, he is described as a person who is honest, responsible and accountable while always putting customers and peers first.
Ms. Stewart believes in treating others how you want to be treated, according to her nomination package. The MetroLINK transit operator also understands that her passengers rely on public transit to live a more fulfilling and independent life.
As MetroLINK’s director of risk management and security for 13 years (2000 -2013), the late Mr. Ryckeghem strived to help anyone in need, and was instrumental in the development of several key safety and security initiatives, MetroLINK said. He had joined MetroLINK after a long career with the Moline Police Department, including overseeing the department’s CrimeStoppers of the Quad Cities program.
MetroLINK established the Rick Ryckeghem Award in 2020 to honor and pay tribute to Mr. Ryckeghem and acknowledge employees for excellence at work – from customer service and leadership to professionalism.
