America’s Best winners named at NAPT Summit
Kirk Brooks, from Indiana, took the top spot in the technician category, while Dustin Wells, from North Carolina, placed first in the inspector category.
Kirk Brooks of Indiana, shown here, left, with Marshall Casey, placed first in the school bus technician category.
RICHMOND, Va. — School bus technicians and inspectors gathered here during the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Summit to show off their skills in the America’s Best Training & Skills Competition.
Kirk Brooks of Indiana took the top spot in the technician category, while Dustin Wells of North Carolina placed first in the inspector category.
Marshall Casey, one of the America’s Best organizers, announced the winners at the Summit on Monday. He said that this year the program went international and included some Canadian competitors, and he welcomed contestants from other countries in future competitions.
A total of 31 participants competed this year, hailing from 19 states and one Canadian province.
The national event includes separate competitions for technicians and inspectors, each with a written exam and a hands-on portion. Participants also attend training seminars and tour host facilities.
Here are the 2015 top competitors:
Technicians
First runner up: Michael Holly, Arkansas
Second runner up: Denver Foster, Georgia
Inspectors
First runner up: Anthony Keshishian, California
Second runner up: Kevin Vollweiler, Texas
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