“OATS is the best company I’ve ever worked for. I’ve tried to work well with everyone and always do the best I can. I hope I’ve helped by providing a good service” says Mel Tabler of his 15-year service with OATS, Inc.

Mel became familiar with OATS and their services prior to retirement and was interested. After retiring, he wrote a letter to the OATS office in Sedalia and was called for an interview. Mel found OATS to be the perfect part-time opportunity and a good organization.

Perhaps it is Mel’s prior experience as a pilot that has suited him so well as an OATS driver, as his associates say he does well at keeping his OATS vehicle in proper condition and always gives close attention to his driving. “I’ve had my pilot’s license since I was 16 years old and have flown just about every type of single-engine plane there is” says Mel.

Piloting certainly required Mel to be a quick thinker, and he recounts a time when he ran out of fuel while coming in for a landing. “I had to move quickly to manually pump fuel from the reserve tank to get the engine restarted.”

When not driving the bus, Mel keeps busy with his photography and spends a lot of time on the computer. Mel has been married 54 years and he and his wife have 4 children, 3 of whom they adopted, and 2 grandchildren. “If I were not working for OATS, I would be at home probably going crazy!” says Mel, although he admits he would most likely do more traveling for his photography.

Stephen Bush, Midwest Area Manager for OATS says “We really appreciate Mel’s 15 years of good service. He is a true asset. May he always keep his wings level.”