School Bus Fleet, October 2015

58 SCHOOL B U S F L E E T O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 This Halloween dress up your fleet with a Child Check Mate System people writing committee for the National Congress on School Transportation HELEN HERBERT has been promoted to director of transportation at Monticello N Y Central School District after serving as assistant director for the past year Herbert came to Monticello in 2014 from First Student where she was Hudson Valley safety manager for 11 years Before that she worked for Wallkill Valley School Bus Services from 1989 to 2003 in various positions including bus driver instructor dispatcher and safety coordinator JIM HOGAN has been named director of parts for Blue Bird dealer New York Bus Sales Hogan will oversee parts management purchasing inventory sales and supply of parts for all company locations in Rochester Syracuse and Albany as well as a newly planned downstate location Before joining New York Bus Sales Hogan worked at Leonard Bus Sales Deposit location most recently as operations manager PAUL HEIDE the recently retired transportation director for Storm Lake Iowa Community School District is the winner of Iowas Tom Horn Memorial Award this year Heide started with the Storm Lake district in 1984 as a mechanic and driver In 1987 he was appointed transportation director a position he held until his retirement on July 1 of this year While serving as Storm Lakes transportation director he continued as mechanic supervisor and other duties that the position required The Tom Horn Memorial Award named for the late founder of the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association IPTA is the most prestigious honor given to members of the school transportation industry in Iowa In other news from Iowa IPTA Executive Director OWEN FREESE will retire on Dec 31 after nearly 30 years in the pupil transportation industry Freese began his career in 1986 as the transportation director and mechanic at Galva Holstein Iowa Community Schools In 1999 he was hired as a school bus inspector with the Iowa Department of Education Iowa state pupil transportation director MAX CHRISTENSEN said that during Freeses time with the Department of Education he inspected 7500 vehicles annually and became well known across the state for his efficiency knowledge and humor In yet another retirement in Iowa DANNY THEDE stepped down as transportation director for Indianola Community Schools in September Thede began working in school transportation in 1987 He began his role as transportation director for Indianola in 1998 Earlier in his career he held that position in State Center and in Perry both in Iowa Thede served on the board of the IPTA for 23 years including several terms as president He also served for many years on the body Herbert Thede Share your People news Help us spread the word about school bus industry personnel appointments retirements awards and passings Email announcements to info@ schoolbusfleet com Paul Heide left received Iowas top pupil transportation honor the Tom Horn Memorial Award He is seen here with Owen Freese of the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association