Mechanic-turned-director Brian Weisinger to retire

HOUSTON — After nearly 40 years in the industry, Texas pupil transportation stalwart Brian Weisinger will retire at the end of the month.

Weisinger, the transportation director at Spring Independent School District (ISD) in Houston, told SBF that he plans to stay involved in the industry. He will continue his role as chair of the Texas school bus specifications committee, and he will attend the National Congress on School Transportation in May.

“After 38 years of being in this industry, I cannot just leave it ‘cold turkey,’ of course,” he said.

Weisinger started his career as a mechanic at Clear Creek ISD. After that, he worked for Friendswood ISD for 19 years, first as a supervisor over the shop and training, then as acting director.

“I have always felt that starting in the shop on the bus maintenance side grounded me and helped me to be a good leader,” he said.

When he moved to Spring ISD, Weisinger initially served as shop foreman. About two years later, when then-director Marcia Edge retired, Weisinger took over the top transportation spot.

Weisinger has been with Spring ISD for 16 years, overseeing a fleet of about 213 route buses that transport more than 22,000 students daily.

Outside of his district duties, Weisinger has shared his management and maintenance expertise in a variety of endeavors. He has taught a shop supervisor academy in Texas and other states with his wife, Marisa, Marshall Casey and formerly with Brandon Billingsley.

Weisinger has also served as an instructor for a train-the-trainer academy through Texas A&M and for the Regional Education Service Center’s trainer academy, which is a four-day workshop for school bus driver trainers.

Reflecting on his career, Weisinger pointed to the relationships he has built with colleagues.

“The greatest highlight is all the great people I have had the privilege to meet and become friends with all over the nation,” he said, adding with a smile, “Marisa told them to get their guest rooms ready.”