KIMBERLY RAMOS has joined the California Department of Education's Office of School Transportation, where she will serve as office technician. Ramos previously managed five community-based preschools in Sacramento, Calif.
JOHN LYLES, transportation director at Clayton County Public Schools in Jonesboro, Ga., has achieved national certification status from the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT). Candidates for certification in any category of the NAPT's Professional Certification Program must meet various criteria and undergo an objective peer review of their education, career experience and achievements in pupil transportation. They must also complete a rigorous written examination that tests their knowledge of national pupil transportation standards.
PETER J. PEARSON has been named president of the Student Transportation of America (STA) Education Foundation. Pearson, currently chief operating officer for STA's central region, is one of the founding trustees of the foundation. Prior to assuming his current position, Pearson served as vice president of operations for STA in Pennsylvania. He began his career in transportation more than 23 years ago. In other news, DAVID BELL has been appointed STA's corporate director of finance. Bell will focus on STA's growth by assisting with the company's acquisitions, bids and conversions (ABC) program. Moreover, STA has appointed GLENN NEEDLER vice president of strategic development. Needler will work with Bell and fellow STA employee JOHN CAREY on new business initiatives for the company's ABC program, developing growth strategies for all of STA's regions and potential new ones. Finally, JOSEPH J. ALESANDRO has been appointed STA's vice president of fleet management. Developing and implementing standardized maintenance programs, enhancing STA's fleet warranty program and assisting in the recruitment and training of maintenance technicians are among his duties.
Transfinder Corp. has hired JOSEPH "JAY" ROURKE as operations and technology director. Rourke will be responsible for customer training and implementation and the development of Transfinder's suite of products for school districts across the country. He will also lead the company's client services and customer support operations, and develop relationships with key internal and external constituents. Rourke has more than 20 years of experience in the field.
AngelTrax Bus Video has promoted KATHERINE TOLAR to vice president of operations. She will oversee all of the company's daily operations. Tolar joined AngelTrax in 2004 as general business manager. The company has also promoted MARK MOORE to vice president of sales. He will oversee all sales for AngelTrax. Moore joined the company in 2007 as southeastern sales executive. Moreover, HUGH SWICORD has joined the AngelTrax team as southeastern sales executive. He will be responsible for sales in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Swicord held several positions in the pharmaceutical industry before transitioning to the transportation industry. Finally, LORI ACCORDINI has joined the company as mid-Atlantic sales executive. She will be responsible for sales in South and North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Accordini held several positions in the education industry before transitioning to the transportation industry.
BILL MILLS has joined DynaEdge's sales team as senior business development manager. Mills will be responsible for the company's sales through key OEM and end user commercial transportation prospects and customers throughout North America. He has experience as both a customer and marketer of vehicle wash systems.
School bus driver BRENDA "SUE" STANDARD of Jonesboro, Ga., passed away in October. She was 59. Standard worked for Clayton County Public Schools in Jonesboro from 1978 to 2002 and then transferred to Henry County Schools in McDonough, Ga., where she worked until passing. From 1996 to 2004, Standard volunteered for the American Red Cross. She also volunteered at the Clayton County Juvenile Court's Court Appointed Special Advocates Program from 2004 until her death. Standard is survived by her husband of 14 years, her two sisters, her children and her grandchildren.