Peter Lawrence
Director of Transportation, Fairport (N.Y.) Central School District
Peter Lawrence’s job history includes stints on a Tennessee horse farm and in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Born: Rochester, N.Y.
Home: Irondequoit, N.Y.
Years in industry: 21
Notable previous jobs: I worked on a horse farm in Tennessee for six months, tending to more than 100 riding horses, 20 wild mustangs and a dozen buffalo.
How did you get your start in the industry?
Shortly after leaving the United States Marine Corps (USMC), I started as a school bus mechanic/substitute bus driver. After six years, I worked my way into management positions, including group leader, head mechanic, driver trainer/safety coordinator, and, for the last seven years, director of transportation.
Current job duties?
I oversee a department of 144 employees who transport more than 7,400 students. I serve on the Emergency Response Team, Administrative Cabinet and Committee for Special Education as needed.
Top achievements?
One of the things I was most proud of professionally was being selected as the New York Association for Pupil Transportation's 24th Art Schock award winner when I was 39 years of age.
I am blessed to have a wonderful wife who is very supportive and talented. Linda and I have been happily married for more than 18 years.
What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am one of the few people who have both a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and high school diploma. While completing my advanced training in the USMC, I failed my Military Occupational Specialty training in aviation electronics. After a review with the commanding officer, I was assigned to the horse stable. My duties included painting miles of fence and "breaking" wild mustang colts for future riding horses.
I have completed degrees in automotive technology, management and human resources. Currently, I am working on my Certificate of Advanced Study, which will allow me to become an assistant superintendent for business.
What do you like most about being in the industry?
The best part of our industry, hands down, is the people! There is a camaraderie and respect for each other that is not common in other industries.
Murrell Martin
Pupil Transportation Specialist, Utah State Office of Education,
Salt Lake City
Murrell Martin shakes the hand of former Gov. Jon M. Huntsman after he signed Utah’s idling reduction bill.
Born: Logan, Utah
Home: Bountiful, Utah
Years in industry: 26
Notable previous jobs: I worked on a dairy farm prior to working in the school bus industry. I have also been a real estate developer and owned a professional lawn care business.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I got started in the industry driving a school bus while I was in college, and got involved in the instruction and supervision of school bus drivers.
Current job duties?
I oversee and direct all aspects of public education pupil transportation for the state of Utah. My duties include working with the Utah State School Board, the Utah State Legislature and the Governor's Office, as well as many other agencies and organizations to facilitate the needs of the school bus program in Utah.
Top achievements?
First was presenting a bullying intervention presentation at the 2005 National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference in Austin, Texas. Second is being appointed to the Utah Clean Cities Board of Directors. Third is being asked to be a part of the NAPT Blog Squad. Finally, the honor of being asked to co-chair the 2009 School Transportation News Western State Conference.
Personally, my greatest achievement has to be raising, providing for and teaching my own children to be honest and contribute to positive parts of our neighborhood, state, nation and world. I am also proud to have been able to spend two years using my own resources to fund full-time missionary service to forward the beliefs of my church. I look forward to having a similar opportunity after I retire.
What are some of your outside interests?
My outside interests include spending time with family and friends, fishing, golfing, four-wheeling, metal detecting and of course skiing since I live in Utah with the greatest snow on earth!
What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I played football as a defensive end. I was once able to hit a pulling guard, two running backs and the quarterback with enough force to knock all four of them down for a loss.