MADISON, Wis. — Cherie Houser has been appointed the new executive director of the Wisconsin School Bus Association (WSBA).

Houser, who started in the role on Aug. 1, previously served as vice president of a different transportation-related group: the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, which represents truck and motorcoach owners in the state.

Houser said she is “thrilled and honored” to have been chosen as WSBA’s executive director.

“The opportunities to promote safe transportation for Wisconsin’s most precious cargo are endless,” Houser said, “and I look forward to working with our members to achieve goals and make changes for the association to reflect its mission statement: To foster cooperative relationships with all school transportation partners through education and communication of legislative, regulatory and industry best practices for the common goal of safe, secure and efficient student transportation in Wisconsin.”

Houser, who holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin in Whitewater, worked at the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association for 19 years. She has also been involved in the Governor’s Conference on Highway Safety, and she continues to be involved with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Motor Carrier Advisory Committee and the Special Olympics Truck Convoy.

The WSBA board of directors said in a statement that Houser’s “years of experience in transportation will be invaluable to WSBA members as we navigate through the challenges and changes that the school bus industry will face in the coming years.”

In addition to representing school bus contractors, the association has members that include school districts and industry suppliers.

Houser succeeds former WSBA executive director Mike McManus.