THOMAS L. BABER
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dedicated and safety-driven Transportation Professional with nearly 20 years of commercial driving and passenger transit experience spanning public transit, senior living, student transportation, and airport shuttle operations. Proven track record of maintaining flawless safety records, adhering to strict schedules, and delivering courteous, reliable service to diverse passenger groups. Certified Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holder equipped with extensive expertise in defensive driving, vehicle inspections, and route navigation.
Overview
1
1
Certification
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Transportation Operator
OWL Inc.
01.2021 - Current
- Deliver safe, reliable, and punctual passenger transportation services adhering to rigorous state and federal safety regulations.
- Maintain professional and courteous communication with passengers, addressing individual travel needs and ensuring comfortable transit.
- Consistently follow complex, assigned schedules and operational procedures to guarantee dependable daily route execution.
- Transportation
Bus Operator
Cottonwood Senior Living
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Provided dedicated transportation for senior-living residents, prioritizing passenger comfort, safety, and physical assistance during boarding and deboarding.
- Maintained clean, hazard-free vehicle conditions through thorough daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
Bus Operator
Groome Transportation
01.2012 - 01.2019
- Operated commercial passenger vehicles for high-demand airport and regional shuttle services, ensuring on-time arrivals across congested urban routes.
- Managed passenger luggage, ticketing verification, and route logistics while upholding a zero-incident safety record.
Bus Operator
Atria Senior Living
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Transported elderly residents to medical appointments, community outings, and social events with a strong emphasis on patience, care, and safety.
Bus Operator
Boys & Girls Clubs
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Safely transported children and youth for after-school programs and extracurricular field trips, maintaining strict control and safety protocols inside the vehicle.
Bus Operator
Fulton County Board of Education
01.2006 - 01.2011
- Operated large school buses along designated county routes, safely navigating dense traffic and managing student behavior to ensure secure daily transit.
Transit Bus Operator
MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Navigated fixed-route public transit buses through high-volume metropolitan traffic while maintaining tight headway schedules and providing customer assistance.
Transit Bus Operator
CTA (Chicago Transit Authority)
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Operated heavy public transit buses in a fast-paced urban environment, ensuring passenger safety and efficient multi-stop route management.
Forklift / Machine Operator
Magneco/Metrel Inc.
01.1987 - 01.2004
- Operated heavy industrial equipment, forklifts, and production machinery to support manufacturing operations.
- Managed warehouse logistics, including loading, unloading, stocking supplies, and conducting physical inventory audits.
- Partnered with accounting and external clients to successfully investigate and resolve invoice and shipping discrepancies.
Skills
- Operations & Safety: Commercial Vehicle & Passenger Transport, Defensive Driving, Pre/Post-Trip Inspections, Route Navigation, Traffic Law & Safety Compliance
- Service Excellence: Passenger Assistance, Senior & Student Transportation, Customer Service, Conflict Resolution, Professional Communication
- Administration: Trip Documentation, Daily Logs, Inventory Control, Schedule Adherence
Certification
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) — Active
CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Commercial Driver Training — Trainco Trucking School, Cicero, Illinois
Personal Information
- Title: Transportation Professional
- Driving License: Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
Timeline
Transportation Operator
OWL Inc.
01.2021 - Current
Bus Operator
Cottonwood Senior Living
01.2017 - 01.2021
Bus Operator
Atria Senior Living
01.2014 - 01.2017
Bus Operator
Groome Transportation
01.2012 - 01.2019
Bus Operator
Boys & Girls Clubs
01.2011 - 01.2014
Bus Operator
Fulton County Board of Education
01.2006 - 01.2011
Transit Bus Operator
MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)
01.2005 - 01.2006
Transit Bus Operator
CTA (Chicago Transit Authority)
01.2004 - 01.2005
Forklift / Machine Operator
Magneco/Metrel Inc.
01.1987 - 01.2004