Allen ISD Transportation Employee Wins Safety Award
Allen ISD Transportation’s driver trainer Bill Murray has been selected as the Safety Manager of the Year by the Texas chapter of the National Safety Council. The Allen ISD Transportation Department also won the honor award in the Motor Fleet Safety category.“I was shocked to learn I won the award,” Murray said. “I knew (Transportation Director Carl Cater) had nominated me and I thank him very much. He’s the reason for all of this.”The Safety Manager of the Year Award is determined based off of a nomination application, which Cater submitted for Murray. The award is designed to “recognize those Safety Managers whose performance is exceptional and who contribute substantially to the safety of themselves and/or co-workers.”Cater nominated Murray because “he has worked for the district for many years and is a very important member of our department. I cannot think of anyone I've ever worked with in my career who is more deserving of this honor.”As the driver trainer, Murray works with new employees to help them pass their driving test. Murray estimates that he spends 20-25 hours working with each driver doing training. “I love to help people,” he said. He says his favorite part of his job is “the satisfaction of seeing people pass their CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) test.”Cater says that Murray’s skills are perfectly suited for his position.“Bill takes his job very seriously. He believes safety is a very important aspect for both bus drivers and bus monitors and incorporates this philosophy in their training,” Cater said. “He is patient and works with each person as long as needed.”Murray has worked for Allen ISD for 12 years. His first two years were spent as a bus driver and he’s served as the driver trainer for the last 10 years. Prior to working for AISD, Murray worked for years in accounting with an oil company before retiring as a natural gas tester.Murray is quick to credit the department’s success to Cater’s leadership.“We’re better drivers because of him,” he said. “This is a very rewarding job and I’m very thankful for the recognition.”
