GRTC announces new director of maintenance

The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) has appointed Tony Byrd as director of maintenance. He began his new role Aug. 30, 2020.

Byrd is a classic GRTC success story, beginning in 1989 as a mechanic in training and working his way up through the ranks both within the maintenance department and serving in the union as shop steward and later vice president.

“For more than 30 years, Tony has been a vital member of the GRTC family, contributing to both a teamwork culture and company advancements," said GRTC CEO Julie Timm. "I am proud of this internal promotion and am confident Tony will continue to lead the maintenance team with a can-do spirit.” 

Byrd says he attributes much of his professional growth over the years to his “family away from home,” the maintenance team. The entire maintenance staff, including those who have since retired, all provided guidance to help Byrd develop his professional skills and camaraderie. 

“I hope to bring unity and a positive change to the maintenance department. If we can coexist together and make things happen, there is no limit to what we all can do,” said Byrd. 

The Winter 2009 snowstorm that occurred during the maintenance move from the old Cary St. Bus Barn to Belt Boulevard is both his greatest challenge at GRTC and the perfect example of how teamwork made the transition possible.

Byrd recalls, “We didn’t miss a day of working on the buses (in the blizzard). We worked on them at the barn, moved them the same day (through the snow), and kept on working.” 

Team achievement is the bedrock for maintenance, where Byrd has both competed in and supported Roadeo competitions locally and at state levels over the years. GRTC’s Maintenance Team most recently won best maintenance team in 2019 at Virginia’s Annual State Roadeo, once again boosting GRTC’s entire score to the top spot for Best Overall Property in Virginia. 

Byrd seemed destined for a successful career in maintenance. From a driven 13-year-old working on cars, to dedicating two years in high school to studies in mechanics, he fulfilled his high school yearbook prediction that he would be a mechanic after he graduated. His mom, a former GRTC supervisor, encouraged him to apply for the job as a GRTC training mechanic. Family support has always been essential to his development. 

“My hardest challenge in my life is to keep my grandparents proud of me. My grandparents raised me, and I keep that bar up high to make them proud, even after they’re gone," said Byrd. 

As he leads the maintenance department, he says his advice to new mechanics is to keep dreaming, aspiring toward leadership, and taking action to reach personal goals.