Allied Specialty Vehicles forms bus group, names Kent Tyler CEO
Tyler, the former president of Collins Bus Corp., will lead the new Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV) Bus Division. The group will include Type A school bus brands Collins, Mid Bus and Corbeil as well as seven bus brands from ASV’s recent acquisition of Thor Industries’ bus business.
Collins Bus Corp. is among the brands of the new Allied Specialty Vehicles Bus Division.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Allied Specialty Vehicles (ASV) has formed a new bus division and has appointed Kent Tyler — former president of Collins Bus Corp. — to the role of president and CEO for the new group.
The new ASV Bus Division will include Type A school bus brands Collins, Mid Bus and Corbeil. ASV recently completed the acquisition of Thor Industries’ bus business, which brings seven more brands into the ASV Bus Division: Champion Bus Inc., General Coach America Inc., Goshen Coach Inc., ElDorado National California Inc., ElDorado National Kansas Inc., Krystal Coach and Federal Coach.
“With our recent investment of seven new bus brands, ASV is now one of the largest suppliers of buses in North America,” said Jim Meyer, chief operating officer of ASV. “The formation of the new Bus Division will help make the transition into the ASV family as smooth as possible for not only these companies, but also their dealers and customers. We are thrilled about the opportunities the new Bus Division represents, and excited to have these outstanding brands under the leadership of Kent Tyler.”
Tyler spent 15 years with Collins Industries, the last five as president of its bus division. In 2012, he was named president and CEO of E-ONE, an ASV company that manufactures fire apparatus.
Tyler said that he is “thrilled and honored” to lead the new ASV Bus Division.
“I look forward to working with all the bus companies and their respective dealer organizations and customers,” he said. “As one of the largest suppliers of buses in North America, it’s critical the ASV Bus Division be synonymous with providing innovative products, outstanding customer service, and the most focused and comprehensive distribution network in the industry.”
Tyler succeeds Andrew Imanse, group president of ElDorado, Champion and Goshen, who recently retired from Thor Industries, the former owner of those bus companies. Imanse has agreed to serve as the chairman of the ASV Bus Division advisory board and to continue supporting the bus operations through an extended transition period.
Tyler is succeeded at E-ONE by Dan Peters, who has served as president of Collins Bus Corp. since February of this year.
More Management
6 School Districts Named Transfinder's 2026 Top Transportation Teams
The software company has named six school districts across four states to its list for the fourth year, with one 'three-peat' winner. Find out which teams took home top honors!
Read More →
Innovation Was the Answer: Five Lessons Learned in School Transportation from 2025–26
Transportation leaders are embracing technology, transparency, and operational flexibility to meet growing demands with limited resources.
Read More →
AI Tools Roundup: New Fleet Tools Aim to Turn Data Into Faster Decisions
The latest AI-powered platforms could help student transportation teams analyze fleet performance, manage maintenance, and uncover operational insights using natural-language queries.
Read More →
EverDriven Integrates Pathwise's EZRouting into Routing Services
The new partnership combines trusted software with industry expertise to help district transportation teams streamline general education routing, improve efficiency, and lower operating costs.
Read More →
First Student Safety Executive Named Samsara Technology Leader of the Year
David Perez earned the honor for deploying AI-powered safety and fleet technologies that improved driver behavior and family communication.
Read More →
Zum Expands to Rhode Island with 2 New District Partnerships
The Ocean State becomes Zum’s 18th state served as the company expands its presence in the Northeast U.S., while launching operations in Philadelphia, and supporting FIFA World Cup 2026.
Read More →
The Driver Shortage Playbook
Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.
Read More →
Stertil-Koni Announces New Company President
Lewis Nelson joins the heavy-duty vehicle lift provider, succeeding Scott Steinhardt in the lead role.
Read More →
Tennessee Hall of Fame Honors Drivers for Decades of Service
Frances Theiring, a school bus driver for Wilson County Schools, retires this year after almost 50 years on the road. She is one of two long-time drivers honored for their service in the state.
Read More →
What Happens to a School Bus After Retirement? First Student Has a New Answer
Through a new partnership with Advanced Remarketing Services, proceeds from retired vehicle sales will support Special Olympics and other community-focused organizations while advancing sustainability goals.
Read More →