National Express School (NEXS) has promoted Liz Sanchez to chief operating officer (COO).

With more than 30 years of experience, Sanchez most recently served as COO and senior vice president of the West region for Durham School Services, according to a news release from National Express. She will oversee the company’s North American school bus portfolio, including Durham School Services, Petermann Bus, Trinity Transportation, and Stock Transportation.

“Liz brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as COO of [National Express School’s] North America student transportation,” said Gary Waits, CEO of NEXS and National Express Transit. “She has done an amazing job over the last two years overseeing our West region and setting an industry-leading plan for high customer satisfaction…I am looking forward to working with Liz in her new role, and I am confident that she will do an exceptional job.”

Sanchez holds a bachelor of arts degree in business from Phoenix University and has attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) executive program. She also holds a seat on the National School Transportation Association’s board of directors.

“I am honored to have received this promotion, and I look forward to continuing to build our team and strengthen new and existing customer relationships,” Sanchez said. “In my two years working with Durham, our team has accomplished many goals. I know that as we navigate through these unprecedented times, we will experience new ways of thinking and problem solving, and I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”