Seniors’ Resource Center is so proud to announce that our Director of Transportation, Hank Braaksma, was honored this month as the DRMAC Champion of the Year. We’d like to share the remarks made about Hank at the ceremony:
“The DRMAC Champion of the Year recognizes someone who promotes the ideals of DRMAC and the organization as a whole to the community at large. In the dictionary, champion is also defined as a backer or proponent of a cause– a booster and true-believer. The DRMAC Champion of the Year – Hank Braaksma is all these.
Hank Braaksma was one of the four founding members of DRMAC and has been active ever since. He has served on the Board of DRMAC since its inception, holding the office of Chair (more than once) and now immediate past Chair. His dedication to the DRMAC vision is reflected by this commitment. He was a key person in the development of the Jefferson County Local Coordinating Council (LCC) as it came to life under the Aging Well project, helping to direct and secure funds under Easter Seals to form the basic structure and later assisting with CDOT applications to bring in consultants. He has been active with all metro area LCCs, attending and assisting as needed.
He is the Director of Seniors’ Resource Center Transportation Services, coming up “through the ranks” from driver, to supervisor to manager and now director, over a span that exceeds 30 years. He has dedicated himself to increasing the mobility of older adults in the metro area. As Director of Transportation at Seniors’ Resource Center, he directs all aspects of the $2.175 million program budget, multiple county, door-to-door, door-through-door, specialized transportation and brokering service for the frail elderly and persons with disabilities. He supervises paid and volunteer staff, and is responsible for all record keeping, statistics, computer programs, policy implementation, accident investigations, general safety, grant and contract implementation and development of policies and budget. He oversees fleet maintenance, vehicle bid specifications, and vehicle purchasing.
He often refers to his work at SRC as his third and final career. Hank’s work with DRMAC and throughout the transportation community has truly advanced DRMAC’s vision of “mobility and access for all,” making mobility a reality for more and more older adults in our community.”
John Zabawa, President and CEO of Senior Resource Center accepted the award on behalf of Hank, who was sorry not to be able to attend. Congratulations to Hank for all his amazing work over the years. We are SRC know what a treasure he is and are excited for him to receive this recognition.