Missed or want to relive the highlights from the California Association of School Transportation Officials (CASTO) annual conference? We collected these top takeaways and fun photos from the 2025 gathering in Burbank. Flip through to see everything!
Key Moments from CASTO 2025 [PHOTOS]
RIDE’s new Type C “The Creator” bus was on display, which is fully battery-electric with a range of 175 miles, 282 kWh battery capacity, and a 12-year warranty.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
As of Jan. 18, 2025, CASTO had 4,536 members. About 200 attended this year’s conference.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Mike Sawyer, CASTO state president and executive director, transportation department for the San Marcos Unified School District, welcomed attendees and emceed much of the event.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Patrick Mulick, a board-certified behavior analyst and coach with the John Maxwell team, delivered the conference keynote with a message called Undefeated. His high-energy, interactive presentation engaged the crowd with inspirational takeaways, exercises, and many laughs. Among his best lines: “If a student doesn’t have a voice, they don’t have a choice.” “When students feel safe, supported, capable, and challenged, they perform at a higher level.” “Your attitude is like glitter; once it’s out there, it’s everywhere.”
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Patrick Mulick also presented a session on “The Filter for Behavior Change on the Bus” that covered the filters admins and drivers should have when dealing with behavior issues on the school bus.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The 57th annual state conference instructor reunion and Bob Austin Memorial Luncheon reunited classmates from the instructor certification program and honored six recipients of the Bob Austin Award for leadership in student transportation.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Precision training with behind-the-wheel instruction for backing and turning was held for certified delegates and instructors, led by Stephanie Oliver and Ula Justus, transportation consultants.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Asking all bus drivers to stand then sit down based on their length of time behind the wheel, attendees welcomed the newest bus driver with two months under his belt, and the longest bus driver (Susan Moorehead, pictured here) for 50 years of service. Moorehead was also awarded one of the Bob Austin Awards.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Easy Way Safety Services was another vendor participating in the expo, showing off its safety harnesses and equipment.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Max Christensen and Julian Fosty manned the First Light Safety Products booth, where they showed off the illuminated stop-arm to help reduce accidents and illegal passings, especially at night.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The vendor expo gathered school bus dealers, safety suppliers, technology providers, alternative transportation solutions, and special-needs equipment, for attendees to meet.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The Al Sauvadon memorial breakfast on day 2 featured the presentation of colors, business meeting, poster contest, awards, and the installation of officers. The new CASTO executive board consists of:
-Michael Sawyer – State Immediate Past President
-Darrell Clark – State Professional Associate Representative
-Jana Rice – State Secretary
-Flossie Lopez – State Treasurer
-Kerri Gardner – State 2nd Vice President
-Cindy Casarez – State 1st Vice President
-Chrissie Steveson – State President
Photo: Amanda Huggett
An “All the Alternatives to Diesel Powered Buses” session featured emissions-reduction takeaways from Blue Bird’s Steve Whaley and A-Z Bus Sales’ Rodney Yates and Joe Ordonez.
Whaley, alternative fuels manager, shared an overview of what it looks like to run propane buses (which he says are 96% cleaner than diesel). “We could all be diesel 100% but those days are numbered,” he said. “My opinion, we are going to have a mixed fleet going forward.”
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Joe Ordonez, A-Z Bus Sales’ director of sales, EV infrastructure, and Rodney Yates, shared how A-Z can be a partner to schools. For instance, they offer free on-site assessments and can help with your grants.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Lisa Nippolt, Western regional manager for Q’Straint/Sure-Lok, chatted with drivers and school bus administrators during the vendor meet and greet.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
During the vendor meet & greet, each supplier was given a table to host small-group discussions. Here, Greg Bombard from Model1 Bus Sales meets with two transportation directors from Oxnard and Simi Valley school districts.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
A vendor “meet and greet” was held for attendees to connect with suppliers in a more relaxed setting just before the evening’s TMZ Tour in Hollywood.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
A state agency panel offered updates from the state’s Highway Patrol, DMV, air resources board, and departments of energy and education. Topics covered included current emission regulations, ZESBI, training programs, driver medical records, and the national drug & alcohol clearinghouse.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Finally, Jasmine Tauer, attorney with Fagen Friedman and Fulfrost, covered the basics of the public procurement process.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Anna Borges, state director in California’s office of school transportation, poses with CASTO president Mike Sawyer.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Lori Morris was named the CASTO Official Member of the Year. She’s been a bus driver for 24 years and is now an instructor.
Photo: CASTO
Pam McDonald, retired former director of transportation at Orange Unified School District and CASTO president, earned the Fred Sowash Memorial Leadership Award.
Photo: CASTO
This year’s 57th annual CASTO conference was held at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport from Feb. 22-24, 2025.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Dianna Poulin, director of loss control services, Southern region, for Keenan Associates, presented on “Managing the Angry Parent,” sharing tips on how to transform your approach to parent interactions. Two brave volunteers participated in an activity where one posted as the driver and the other as the angry parent to practice what was learned.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Caught laughing! Greg Jackson, School Bus Logistics, Pete Salinas, Edulog, and Sandy Dillman, retired transportation director, yuk it up on the expo floor.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
Q’Straint/Sure-Lok showed off its all-in-one wheelchair securement station that can secure students in under 1 minute with simple color and number sequencing, visual and audio feedback, and a push-button operation.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The Saturday night dinner event was themed “Rock of Ages” with a dinner, music, and dance in a tribute to Journey.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The poster contest winner was 13-year-old Charlie Fieldhouse, an 8th grader from El Cerrito Middle School.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
School Bus Active Shooter Training was presented by Gloria Lovato and Rick Ramos from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
The final day of the show kicked off with a legislative update with David Neben, CASTO legislative liaison. We reviewed California’s SB 88, driver requirements for alternative transportation and contractors, and AB 579, the zero-emission bus sales rule by 2035. He also offered attendees tips on how to get involved with legislation and advocate for the industry.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
CASTO bingo volunteers were recognized for their bingo service that brings in funds to the state board to offer certain activities and donate to area organizations and non-profits.
Photo: CASTO
Jason Hohalek was awarded the Associate Member of the Year distinction. “I've been all over the country, and I don't think there's a state school bus organization as passionate and dedicated to safety as California,” he said in his thank you speech.
Photo: CASTO
Paula Sauvadon was honored with the Honorary Life Member Award. She’s been a CASTO member for over 30 years. Her husband, Al Sauvadon, passed away in 2023, and their daughter Anna Borges is the current state director.
Photo: CASTO
The Retired Member of the Year award was given to Sam Anderson.
Photo: CASTO
Stephanie Oliver was given the Arnita Moon Memorial Service Above Self Award.
Photo: CASTO
