Photo by Holon Photo

Jerome Green isn’t merely a good cabdriver, but the best cabdriver in the country.

At least that’s what the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association—a national group representing 80,000 cabbies and more than 1,000 carriers—has decided, and it will recognize the Arlington native to works for Red Top Cab at its annual confab in Las Vegas at the end of the month. Reports the Sun Gazette on Green:

Green is a native Arlingtonian and graduate of Washington-Lee High School, and has been a Red Top driver since 1987. He has been honored with several local awards, including the Community Hero, for taking a leading role in a Red Top initiative providing free transportation to children participating in early-morning tutoring programs at Arlington Science Focus School.

Beyond the logistics of that effort, Green was instrumental in providing encouragement and mentoring to the students.

“Jerome is more than a driver,” said Sharon Schafer, the reading specialist at Arlington Science Focus. “He shares his own personal philosophy with the students. He tells them how important attending school and reading will be for their future success in the world. He cheers them up on cold dark mornings, communicates and emphasizes the importance of smiling and greeting people and looking them in the eye.”

The school “has a true cornerstone in Mr. Green,” principal Mary Begley said.