SamTrans names 2021 operator and maintenance employees of the year

SamTrans has selected its operator and maintenance employees of the year for 2021. 

Alberto Perez, a 34-year bus operator, and Long Lau, a 14-year maintenance mechanic, have been chosen for the recognition. 

Each year, SamTrans recognizes the achievements of its bus operators and bus maintenance workers with Employee of the Year honors, and Perez and Lau were formally recognized at the agency’s March Board of Directors meeting. To be considered for the Employee of the Year award, SamTrans employees must not have had any preventable accidents, unexcused absences or disciplinary actions on their 2021 record. 

Perez began his career with SamTrans in 1988 as a full-time bus operator. Before joining SamTrans he worked as a medical courier delivering medications and supplies to pharmacies throughout the Bay Area. He is currently assigned to Routes 120 and 141. 

Perez has thrice been named Employee of the Month, and even recruited his brother Jacinto as a bus operator. Perez lives with his wife and granddaughter. 

Long Lau joined SamTrans Bus Maintenance in 2008 as a utility worker and has been named Employee of the Month eight times. He was promoted to Mechanic C in 2009, Mechanic B in 2011 and to his current position of Mechanic A in 2018. Prior to coming to SamTrans, Lau worked at Acura of Serramonte as an auto mechanic until he was encouraged by his brother-in-law Geno Maranan, one of SamTrans’ lead mechanics, to apply. Lau has four children and enjoys building custom PCs in his spare time.