SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Blue Bird Expands Leadership of Sales, Marketing

School bus manufacturer Blue Bird promoted Tim Gordon to senior vice president of its sales and marketing organization. The company also appointed Albert Burleigh to vice president of North America bus sales and Jenna Van Harpen to vice president of national fleet sales.

Jenna Van Harpen, Tim Gordon, and Albert Burleigh of Blue Bird.

Britton Smith, Blue Bird president, said he's thrilled by the appointments of Gordon, Burleigh, and Van Harpen.

2 min to read


Blue Bird Corporation has expanded its sales and marketing organization. The company announced three strategic leadership appointments, effective June 1, 2024. Blue Bird strengthened its sales and marketing team to further pursue leadership in zero- and low-emissions transportation.

  • Tim Gordon has been promoted to senior vice president of Blue Bird’s sales and marketing team. In his new role, he will focus on enhancing Blue Bird’s customer-centric approach, strengthening the company’s relationship with its dealer network, and driving growth. Gordon joined Blue Bird in 2016 and most recently served as vice president of sales and marketing since August 2022. Gordon is a respected veteran of the transportation industry with 40 years of experience. Before joining Blue Bird, he spent four years at Yancey Bus Sales and Service leading its parts and service sales team. Prior to that, Gordon held various roles at Navistar, parent company of school bus manufacturer IC Bus, and semi-truck manufacturer Freightliner.

  • Albert Burleigh has been appointed vice president of North America Bus Sales. In his new role, he will lead Blue Bird’s nationwide field sales organization, drive growth in the company’s electric- and propane-powered vehicle segments, and engage with the dealer network to increase sales across North America. Burleigh joined Blue Bird in May 2007 and most recently served as vice president of alternative fuels since November 2023. Before then, he led the electric school bus sales team, contributing to Blue Bird's position as an industry leader with over 1,500 zero-emission school buses in operation today. Prior to joining Blue Bird, Burleigh worked for Ford Motor Company for 15 years in sales and customer support roles.

  • Jenna Van Harpen has been promoted to vice president of national fleet sales. In her new role, she will continue to serve and build relationships with national fleet customers, focusing on sales and revenue growth. Van Harpen rejoined Blue Bird in October 2023 as executive director of fleet sales after working as sales manager for Gillig, a manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses. From 2014 to 2020, she held roles at Blue Bird in fleet and chassis sales, as well as alternative fuels. Before joining Blue Bird, she held various sales roles at Carter Machinery, Allstate Peterbilt Group, and Truck Country for six years.

Ad Loading...

Britton Smith, president of Blue Bird Corporation, said: “I am pleased with the optimization of Blue Bird’s Sales and Marketing team and the appointments of three outstanding Blue Bird executives – Tim Gordon, Albert Burleigh, and Jenna Van Harpen. I am confident our expanded leadership and supporting teams will enhance customer satisfaction, dealer engagement, and sales growth.”

More Management

The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
SponsoredMarch 19, 2026

All About Cooperative Purchasing: A Guide for School Transportation Pros

Stop bidding everything and try a simpler way. Here's how cooperative purchasing can streamline purchases while maintaining compliance. Sourcewell breaks down the process in this episode of The Route, sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Yellow school bus on road with “Company Update” graphic and EverDriven logo announcing school bus routing services
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 19, 2026

EverDriven Launches New School Bus Routing Services

The alternative transportation company expands its services to traditional yellow buses with the launch of a new division focused on helping school districts optimize their routes.

Read More →
Joshua Roberts of First Student Inc. recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot with the School Bus Fleet Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Joshua Roberts of First Student

Roberts, 35, serves as the lead IT application engineer for vehicle electrification at First Student, where he helps shape scalable, real-world EV infrastructure to support student transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Quavion Swazer of Puyallup School District recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, pictured in a headshot with the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Quavion Swazer of Puyallup School District

Swazer, 29, serves as director of transportation at Puyallup School District, where he champions student wellbeing and inspires the next generation of industry leaders.

Read More →
Katia Dubas of IMMI recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot alongside the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Katia Dubas of IMMI

Dubas, 38, serves as sales manager and safety advocate at IMMI, where she advances school bus occupant protection through industry education, OEM collaboration, and proactive safety policy efforts.

Read More →
Eric Kramlick of TransPar Group recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot alongside the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Amanda HuggettMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Eric Kramlick of TransPar

Kramlick, 30, runs operations for TransPar in Hawaii, where he also showed dedication while helping Maui recover from the recent wildfires.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Jonquez Moore of Little Elm ISD recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot with the School Bus Fleet Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Amanda HuggettMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Jonquez Moore of Little Elm ISD

Moore, 32, grew up around the school bus, leading him to the classroom and eventually inspiring high-performing teams while bringing operations in house (twice).

Read More →
Joshua Baran of Odyssey Charter School recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, pictured in a headshot next to the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Joshua Baran of Odyssey Charter School

Baran, 38, serves as transportation supervisor at Odyssey Charter School in Delaware, where he leads daily operations with a focus on safety and professional growth.

Read More →
Tyler Maybee of Denver Public Schools recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot with the U.S. Capitol in the background and the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Tyler Maybee of Denver Public Schools

Maybee, 36, leads transportation operations for Denver Public Schools, where he is advancing equity, efficiency, and cross-department collaboration to improve student access.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Lexi Higgins of Truckers Against Trafficking recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, pictured in a headshot with the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Lexi Higgins of TAT

Higgins, 38, serves as director of industry engagement at TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking), where she equips school transportation professionals with the tools to recognize and report human trafficking.

Read More →