Randy Mazie
Director, John Schee Transportation Center, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Randy Mazie and his wife, Debbie, together run a school bus merchandise Website,
SchoolBusMart.com.
Born: New York City
Home: Davie, Fla.
Years in industry: 23
Notable previous jobs: I ran transportation services for the elderly for many years prior to school busing. I have an MBA and Master's in social work and I worked for many years in psychiatric facilities.
How did you get your start in the industry?
While I was running elderly transportation services, I would pass a particular school bus yard. I would always admire how nice the buses looked all lined up. I'd comment to my wife how I would like to work in a place that looked as nice as that. One day a position opened, I applied, and the rest is history.
Current job duties?
I am a director of a transportation center for a large school bus district in South Florida; and several years ago, my wife, Debbie, and I started our own online school bus merchandise company, SchoolBusMart.com.
What do you consider your top achievements?
My family, going back to school at the age of 55, and learning Photoshop, Web design, and all the things that go into a successful business. I am also proud to have had articles published in SCHOOL BUS FLEET.
What do you like most about being in the industry?
I like dealing with the human side of transportation: the pressing concerns expressed by parents, drivers, attendants, and school and transportation staff. I enjoy the whole "enchilada." I try to listen with a "third ear" to what people are really saying in hopes of resolving each situation on its own merits.
Tell us a bit about SchoolBusMart.com and how it got started.
The seed sprouted when I developed graphics designed to increase school bus ridership for my school board. My employees liked the designs and encouraged me to have them printed on T-shirts. We have since expanded into posters, greeting cards, notepads and buttons.
We are trying to create within the pupil transportation industry a professional image that depicts what we do with a sense of artistry, humor and a unique appreciation of what all of us contribute to this valuable field.
Barry McCahill
McCahill Communications, Eagle, Idaho
Barry McCahill enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson and taking RV trips.
Born: Glen Ridge, N.J.
Home: Eagle, Idaho
Years in industry: About 12
Notable previous jobs: Acting director of NHTSA's Office of Public & Consumer Affairs, Army officer during the Vietnam conflict
How did you get your start in the industry?
Charlie Gauthier (former NASDPTS executive director) is an old friend - we worked at NHTSA together. He and Mike Martin (NAPT executive director) were concerned about sensational media reporting about school bus crashes and wanted help presenting a more balanced picture of pupil transportation. We developed the School Bus Information Council to provide both a quick reaction capability when school buses are in the news and to make sure "the empire strikes back" when media unfairly portrays the school bus industry.
Current job duties?
For the past 10 years, I've been a public relations consultant. Last year, I decided to begin easing into semi-retirement but wanted to keep engaged with the school bus industry because I truly enjoy the people and the interesting work. I advise Mike Martin and the NAPT board on public and media relations, and how to work effectively in the Washington, D.C., regulatory and political environment. I also write a blog on the NAPT Website.
Top achievements?
Professional: Making it a priority to get home to my family in time for dinner every night despite having demanding jobs. At NHTSA, I was part of the team that devised the effective national strategies for increasing seat belt and child safety seat use and discouraging drunk driving. We changed the paradigm in that today most of us use seat belts, and drunk driving, while still occurring, is not socially acceptable. I also helped create and directed the Vince and Larry crash test dummy public service advertising campaign - recognized as one of the most effective in history. Also, I'm proud to be involved in what has been accomplished to position pupil transportation more positively.
Personal: Raising four beautiful daughters, being a grandfather and enjoying life with a wonderful woman.
What are some of your outside interests?
I've been a boater all my life and am a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed master. I also enjoy riding my Harley-Davidson motorcycle, woodworking and taking RV trips to see all the wonders of the U.S.A.