In celebration of Black History Month, Amtrak's New England Division Diversity Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that the Boston Commuter Mechanical Department is the winner of its first annual Leroy Richardson Fergus, Jr. Diversity Award. Named in honor of a 20-year Amtrak veteran, the award is presented to the department within Amtrak's New England Division which best exemplifies the company's commitment to valuing and understanding diversity among its employees and passengers.
This year's award - the first annual dedication - was presented to the 500 employees of Amtrak's Commuter Mechanical Department in Boston. The department was recognized for its commitment to fostering the positive qualities and benefits of a diverse workforce. The department also exhibits strong community interaction, which includes participation in Operation Lifesaver activities, and job fairs hosted throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to recruit employees of diverse backgrounds.
"The New England Division Diversity Advisory Committee is to be congratulated for fostering an atmosphere of diversity," said Gerri Mason Hall, Amtrak's vice president of business diversity and strategic initiatives. "We appreciate the Committee's continued efforts to promote diversity throughout the company."
Leroy Richardson Fergus, Jr. began his career at Amtrak as a trackman in 1977. Through hard work and dedication, Mr. Fergus eventually rose to the position of Special Assistant to the General Manager in Employment Relations, the first employee to hold this prestigious position. In his role, Mr. Fergus used his skills in negotiation and conflict resolution to combine the pursuit of business goals with a commitment to diversity. Mr. Fergus succumbed to cancer in March 2000. His dedication to diversity lives on through this award
