10 Great Transit Systems to Work For

Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) - Lansing, Mich.

Posted October 2008

CATA Executive Director Sandy Draggoo says cultivating a one-on-one relationship with employees and between employees is an essential part of cultivating a culture of excellence.

When new employees join the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA), they are greeted by three things - a banner reading "Voted #1 in America," a new high-tech facility and a big hug from the executive director.

CATA combines an award-winning, professional and challenging work atmosphere with the supportive and caring nature of family and friends. Executive Director Sandy Draggoo says she has made it a cornerstone of her 24 years in the position that she and her original core group of employees cultivate this culture of excellence. This feeling pervades the entire transit property, and is evident in both the high caliber of employees and the results of their hard work.

When asked why CATA is such a great place to work, Draggoo responds: "It is a combination of employees who love their work, a board that loves us and believes in our/their mission and a community that appreciates both groups and has throughout the many years we have been an authority."

To foster this warm, caring environment, CATA holds several events throughout the year that preserve the family culture: holiday celebrations, ice cream socials, employee appreciation day and popcorn days. It also sponsors several employee recognition programs. Employees with perfect attendance are taken to lunch by Draggoo; operators receive recognition for having safe driving years; and all employees are eligible for community service awards.

The personal touch lays the groundwork

Cultivating a personal, one-on-one relationship with each employee, and between employees, is the essential groundwork on which CATA is built. Draggoo believes that her mission is not only to lead, but to support the entire operation of the property and stay connected with each process. To that end, the executive director meets with new employees to build an initial working and personal relationship, holds monthly administration meetings as an open forum for discussion, holds special meetings on key issues and decisions and spends time "on the floor" doing whatever is necessary to inform and include CATA's employees.

Recently, when a significant financial hurdle became apparent, Draggoo met with every employee in small groups to ensure that all were fully apprised of the situation and had a chance to provide input and solutions.

Maintaining high levels of morale, efficiency and innovation requires a strong recruiting effort, and CATA uses several methods of finding top prospects. It collaborates with "Michigan Works!" and other employment agencies, sends staff members to Michigan State University to guest lecture about transit, forwards job postings to university listservs and uses its internship program to find home-grown talent.

CATA's relationship with its labor union has been solid, based on a long history of trust and cooperation. "Disagreement is inevitable, but the most important aspect of this partnership is that the other party is just down the hall," Draggoo says. Working respectfully with the union has allowed CATA to provide award-winning bus service.

Funding stability is another factor in CATA's ability to be a great employer. The authority has had only one millage proposal fail in its 36-year history. Looking ahead, CATA will continue to embrace fiscal responsibility to weather Michigan's economic downturn and funding stagnation. Draggoo says CATA is always planning five years ahead, allowing for flexibility when needed.

Finally, CATA employees are provided with a wide range of benefits, including comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance (with minimal contributions required from employees); pension plans, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, deferred compensation plans; free bus passes for employees and dependents; on-site fitness facility; and health club reimbursement program.

For more information about CATA, visit www.cata.org.

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