(Pictured left to right as listed)
Mario Seals – Mechanic – 10 years
Wesley Snyder – Mechanic – 29 years
Jason Dauphinais – Mechanic – 24 years
Paul Bangaroo – Fleet Maintenance Supervisor – 4 years
Mike Zulfekar – Mechanic – 1 year
Jim Lorette – Mechanic – 5 years
Brendon Benack – Mechanic – 10 years
The North Colonie Central School District Mechanic Team is made up of seven mechanics, led by Fleet Maintenance Supervisor Paul Bangaroo. Combined, the team has nearly 85 years of experience in the district. The top priority of the team is ensuring that all school buses and district vehicles are safe for the road. "I would say that is the number one reason I get up every single day," said Bangaroo. "I would say that for all these guys also. Making sure our students and whoever gets on our buses get to and from wherever they're going as safe as possible."
Mechanic Jim Lorette agrees.
"100%," said Lorette. "When I first started, one of my old DOT Inspectors said to work on a bus like my kids were riding on it. So that's how I've always looked at working on buses." In addition to vehicle maintenance, many of our mechanics are driving daily bus routes to fill in during driver shortages.
Mechanics Wesley Snyder and Jason Dauphinais account for 53 years in the district between the two of them. They say they enjoy the structure of the job, the benefits, and their coworkers. The two North Colonie CSD veterans are joined by Mario Seals, Brendon Benack, Mike Zulfekar, and Lorette. Benack originally started working in the district ten years ago with the custodial department and spent time in the grounds department before becoming a full-time mechanic. He works on all of the fleet vehicles which includes pickup trucks, trailers, grounds equipment, lawn mowers and tractors and is starting to integrate working on buses.
The experience and expertise of each team member is unique, but all of them agree, it's a good team to work with.
"They're all good. They're good to get along with," said Zulfekar. "If you need help with anything, they'll help you, and if you need to learn anything, they'll teach you."
Final Thoughts on the North Colonie Mechanic Team from Bangaroo: "These guys, every single one of them, goes above and beyond the call of duty every single day. A lot of them drive daily routes and it's tough for them working underneath a bus, and then get pulled away to go to drive a route... And is it hard for them? Of course it is, but they get the job done every single day."
Final Thoughts on the North Colonie Mechanic Team from Bangaroo: "These guys, every single one of them, goes above and beyond the call of duty every single day. A lot of them drive daily routes and it's tough for them working underneath a bus, and then get pulled away to go to drive a route... And is it hard for them? Of course it is, but they get the job done every single day."