Merrimack Valley Transit, known as MeVa, for short, recently promoted two—as deputy administrator and outreach coordinator respectively—and hired a comptroller.
Niorka “Nio” Mendez, who received her start at the agency as a bus driver in 2014 and promoted three years later to administration, was elevated to second in command as deputy administrator at the start of the month. Besides beginning as a bus driver, Mendez has served a marketing director, communications director and chief communications director.
“Always eager to learn and grow, she has applied her boundless energy to every task, brought the very best out of each of her colleagues, represented MeVa as our first ever graduate of Latinos in Transit’s Leadership Academy and served as de facto deputy administrator without the benefit of any official title,” Administrator Noah S. Berger told MeVa’s Advisory board last month.

Nataylia Curet, MeVa Transit outreach coordinator. (Courtesy photograph.)
Nataylia Curet was also promoted from office coordinator to outreach coordinator, taking on many of Mendez’ former duties. She first joined the transit authority two years ago as receptionist.

MeVa Transit Comptroller Jasmin Ortega. (Courtesy photograph.)
Jasmin Ortega came to work in May as comptroller. She had been working for the City of Haverhill as assistant treasurer. Berger told Advisory Board members Ortega was already intimately familiar with the authority, having commuted by MeVa bus to high school every day. Berger said she is on a path to become chief financial officer.
“All three are standouts for being gifted, savvy, creative and naturally curious who care so much about we do at MeVa, caring about our riders,” Berger told WHAV. He noted the hiring of three Latina met the one-time call of Advisory Board Vice Chair Myra Ortiz of Lawrence.