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Rider's Almanac Blog

On Off The Clock

On/Off the Clock with Mark Koran

Posted by John Komarek | Friday, July 26, 2019 3:18:00 PM

On the Clock/Off the Clock features provide an introduction to the people who spend their days working at Metro Transit and their free time involved in a variety of interesting hobbies. Read more On the Clock/Off the Clock features here

Lives: St. Paul

Job: Mechanic Technician, East Metro

Years of Service: 2

How did you come to work at Metro Transit and what do you do?

The timing of a different job and my prior transit experience aligned perfectly. I’d always ridden the bus as a child and young adult, and it seemed fitting to be able to use my knowledge to keep the fleet running.

Where are you from originally? Tell us a little bit about your background.

I was born and raised in St. Paul between Frogtown and the Midway area. I split my time in the industry between automotive (Toyota, Subaru) and transit.

What is your favorite part about working for Metro Transit?

I enjoy my general work classification because it allows me to do something different every day. I also enjoy going out on road calls and helping rescue stuck buses in the winter months.

What are your favorite activities when you’re not working or “Off the Clock”?

I’m an angler and certified “river rat,” targeting sturgeon and catfish practically year-round. I enjoy cooking, mainly slow smoking barbecue. And I recently became a probationary firefighter for our town’s volunteer fire department. I completed my first responder training and will be trained in-house before enrolling in firefighter school this fall.

My children Evelyn, 6, and Dean, 2, are my pride and joy. I have an amazing wife, Theresa, whom I’ve been married to for six years.