On Veterans Day November 11, 2023, National Express Shuttle (WeDriveU) & Transit pauses to recognize our veterans for their service to our country and the invaluable contributions they make at National Express.

Below are some of the men and women who contribute to the rich fabric of our team. The veterans who have served our country are also the faces of our company who we know as our colleagues, our friends, and team.

We thank and salute each one of you.

History of Veterans Day

Originally known as Armistice Day until 1954, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes Veterans Day as “the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.”

As such, we set out to identify veterans at our customer service centers and office locations who are instrumental in delivering our transportation solutions to workplaces, campuses and communities across the U.S. Our veterans now serve in various career paths throughout the company and their success within the industry is attributed, in part, to their military experience.

Experience Drives Success

General Manager Scott McKinnis reflected on how his skills and experience have contributed to his role at WeDriveU.

“My time in the Air Force gave me invaluable experience in effective leadership, setting me up for success throughout my management career. From day one, we were reminded that ‘flexibility is the key to airpower’ and that being able to pivot with every task we were faced with was essential. The Air Force also instilled in me the importance of teamwork, where collaborative efforts are the bedrock of success. As General Manager, incorporating these same concepts of situational awareness, adaptability, and teamwork have proved successful for our operations.”

Bus driver Larry Love added that his service in the Air Force “taught me how to make good decisions, discipline and how to be punctual.”

These attributes, talents, and values are a testament to the excellence for which we strive.

Meet Our Veterans

Larry Love | Seattle, Washington | Driver

Mr. Love joined the United States Air Force in 1963. His desire to venture out of Florida led to his enlistment three years following high school graduation. He completed his Basic Military Training (BMT) at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas where he went on to become an Aircraft Mechanic at Travis Air Force Base in California. Love worked on notable aircraft such as, the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, Douglass C-118 Liftmaster, and the Douglass C-133 Cargomaster.

What do you like most about working here?

“Love seeing familiar faces and building connections.”

Bonnie Mackay | Seattle, Washington | Driver

Staff Sergeant Mackay joined the United States Army in 1972 directly out of high school toward the end of the Vietnam War. She attended basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama followed by typing school at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and a shorthand school in Fort Ben Harrison, Indiana. Ultimately, she was stationed at Fort Myers, Virginia. There, her duty station was at the Pentagon as secretary to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence.

Her time in the Army included the period in which women were called WAC’s (Women’s Army Corps). Mackay was part of the synchronized swim team which traveled to perform at Army bases up and down the East and West Coast!

What do you like most about working here?

“Love all the close connections I’ve made with my passengers. Many have become like family.”

Scott McKinnis | Seattle, Washington | General Manager

Staff Sergeant McKinnis joined the United States Air Force Reserve in 2010 where he worked on the F-22 Raptor. During his time in the military, McKinnis received the “Airman of the Year” award and was chosen to welcome (then) Vice President, Joe Biden to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, Alaska.

What do you like most about working here?

“During my time at WeDriveU, I’ve been super fortunate to work with so many wonderful employees. The collaborative and supportive team environment here is something truly rewarding.”

Richard Creer | South San Francisco, California | Driver

Mr. Creer served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971 as a Radio Teletype Operator. Sergeant Creer served two tours in Vietnam with duty between in Germany. He later joined the United States Navy from 1980 to 1996 as a Yeoman with the rank of Petty Officer First Class.

What do you like most about working here?

“I enjoy driving for National Express/WeDriveU because we have the privilege of bringing important people to work and back home daily; where they can relax in a clean and comfortable bus, without the stress of driving in heavy commute traffic every day.”

*Mr. Creer’s daughter, Margaret, is pictured here at five months old upon his return from an overseas deployment on the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier. She is now a Research Scientist at a WeDriveU client company and rides the company’s WeDriveU shuttle to work and back daily and is very appreciative of our service. Mr. Creer’s day was made extra special when he got to drive her route on his birthday.

Jeffery Thompson | Sunnyvale, California | Driver

Mr. Thompson served in the United States Army from 1983 to 1989 as an 11B Infantryman and rank was specialist E-4.

What do you like most about working here?

“I enjoy working for our Google clients. Enjoy the atmosphere. Getting riders safely to and from work. Enjoy the amenities client offers and the equipment assigned. Enjoys the team atmosphere and the management team.”

Rachael Bennett | Austin, Texas | Operations Manager

Ms. Bennet’s service in the United States Army was from 2004 to 2008. She began her military and Motor Transport Operator training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. She was recruited to the United States Army Marksmanship Unit and later placed in the 63rd Combat Engineer Group at Fort Benning, Georgia. Bennett was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. During her service as 88M Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), she went on numerous escort duties. Although she was not infantry, she did end up in several combat situations. Her final rank was E-4 specialist.

She worked with U.S. Navy Seabees and received Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of exceptional joint service support of Naval Facilities Engineer Teams operating in northern Kuwait. Bennett is also the recipient of awards, such as supporting America’s war on terrorism during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Former Wartime Service 3rd Army. She was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for meritorious service while assigned to the 63rd Engineer Company. For professional knowledge, can do attitude, leadership skills, expertise in engineering and construction in projects such as Dallas, Navistar, Fuel Berms and the designing and building of Safety and Entrance Control Points.

What do you like most about working here?

“Working as a team.”

LeRoy Thompson | St. Louis, Missouri | Driver

Mr. Thompson served in the Unites States Air Force as an Airman First Class (E-3). He served in the transportation field and was responsible for transporting sensitive materials.

Thompson received the Airforce Achievement Metal Award.

What do you like most about working here?

“I like the General Manager and the people I work with along with students I provide services to. We are like a family, and I enjoy coming to work here at our location.”

 

Herbert Suydan | Millbury, Massachusetts| Driver

Mr. Suydan served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972 Rank SP4. From 1970 to 1971 he served at the 27th Surgical Hospital Chu Lai, Vietnam where he worked as a Medic ER-Operating Room. He was also part of a short duty with the 54th Medical Detachment Flying Dust Off where he and his team would fly into the field and pick up the wounded to bring them back to the hospital.

What do you like most about working here?

“…the best job ever!!! Love the people we meet and places we go. The employees and management are top notch. We work the best we can as a team.”

Ruben Rodriguez | Millbury, Massachusetts | Driver

Mr. Rodriguez served in the United States Army from 1995 to 2004 as a Combat Engineer.

His tours included the Middle East, and although his military records are classified, he was an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Specialist.

What do you like most about working here?

“Staff are very nice and always try to help you.”

Robert Murphy | Millbury, Massachusetts | Driver

Mr. Murphy served in the United States Army Reserve from 1981 to 1987 and the United States National Guard (Massachusetts) from 1999 to 2000.

Serving stateside, he was a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Decontamination Specialist (NBC DECON) Specialist where he trained units in chemical decontamination and levels of protection against chemical agents.

What do you like most about working here?

“Meeting such a variety of people from all around the world.”

Michael A. Holloman | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Driver

Mr. Holloman served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1984 as an engineer at the E5 rank and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

His tours included two in Japan, and duties in South Korea, and the Philippines during war and peace time.

What do you like most about working here?

“Staff has been great to work with since the beginning.”

Tyrone Breland | Temple Hills, Maryland | Trainer

Mr. Breland served in the United States Army for 7 years having completed a tour in Germany and duties at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Georgia.

He was a Sergeant, E-5 rank, whose specialty was avionics.

What do you like most about working here?

“I enjoy working for National Express as a Behind the Wheel Trainer because of the satisfaction I receive when people I assist in the Safety and Training Program go out in the field and do right. Especially when employees thank me for the training they received because their capable of doing their job.”

Eric Russell | Temple Hills, Maryland | Driver

Mr. Russell served in the United States Navy for 4 years and was responsible for training and maintaining coordinates for all submarines, land masses and ships. He served as a Fire Technician FT3.

He completed tours in Kings Bay, Georgia, Italy, Rock of Gibraltar, Scotland, Greece, London, Nova Scotia, and Ethiopia.

What do you like most about working here?

“I love working for National Express because it allows me to meet and help people from all walks of life. I also love my schedule and the people I work with.”

Antione Lynch | Temple Hills, Maryland | Road Supervisor

Mr. Lynch served in the United States Army for 8 years. He was a Sergeant with an E-5 rank and specialty was Infantry and Training. He has completed tours in Honduras, Korea, Japan, Alaska, Fort Gordon, Augusta, GA and Walter Reed, and Washington, D.C.

What do you like most about working here?

“I am happiest when helping others. I love to work for National Express as a Road Supervisor because it allows me to help customers in the community we serve as well as helping all operators while in the field.”

A Shared Mission

These wonderful veteran stories so aptly reflect the mission of the branches these team members represent:

• Mission of the United States Army is “to deploy, fight, and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt, and sustained land dominance as part of the joint force of all U.S. military.”
• Mission of the United States Air Force is to “fly, fight and win – airpower anytime, anywhere.”
• Mission of the United States Air Force Reserve is “to provide combat ready forces to fly, fight and win.”
• Mission of the United States Navy is that the “United States is a maritime nation, and the U.S. Navy protects America at sea. Alongside our allies and partners, we defend freedom, preserve economic prosperity, and keep the seas open and free.”
• Mission of the United States Army Reserve is to “provide COMBAT-READY units and Soldiers to the Army and the Joint Force ACROSS THE FULL SPECTRUM OF CONFLICT”
• Mission of the United States National Guard is to “[…] serve both community and country. Our versatility enables us to respond to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. The Guard always responds with speed, strength, and efficiency, helping to defend American freedom and ideals.”
• Mission of the United States Marine Corps “reflects every Marine’s purpose. In essence, our Nation is that purpose. In our world, in ourselves, and in our way, there are conflicts, challenges, and obstacles that must be fought confidently and defeated convincingly for our Nation to prevail.”

Thank You, Veterans!

Thank you to these veterans for their stories and dedication, and the many others in our 4,000-strong workforce who are a vital and appreciated part of our team.

Learn more about exciting career opportunities by browsing our current job postings.

Are you a veteran on our team who would like to join our Veterans Story Project? Ask your manager to connect you with the Shuttle & Transit Marketing team.