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Twelve outstanding professionals under 40 years of age are honored for their leadership and dedication to bringing positive change to the industry.
Photo: SBF/Canva
From district directors and dispatchers to clerks and mechanics, alternative transportation providers, association leaders, contractor executives, manufacturers, and school bus dealers, our 2025 Trailblazers span the industry and the continent.
For the third annual Trailblazers Awards, SBF selected 12 individuals under 40 who stood out for their leadership and commitment to student safety, teamwork, industry involvement, technology adoption, innovation, and impact.
They all share a deep passion for pupil transportation and a desire for all students to have reliable access to an education. These young leaders have each overcome challenges of their own and found creative solutions to push forward. Each also discussed how they hope the field becomes more celebrated and that school bus drivers and administrators are respected for their contributions.
With amazing people like these 12 among us, we have no doubt the future of the school transportation industry is bright. Get to know each of their stories at the links below.
Jessica Aquino
Age: 38
Role: FirstAlt Services Sr. Director
Employer: First Student
Location: Houston, TX
Randall Crawford
Age: 36
Role: Director of Transportation
District: Clay County District Schools
Location: Green Cove Springs, FL
Megan Fratzke
Age: 39
Role: Dispatcher
District: Bemidji Area Schools, ISD 31
Location: Bemidji, MN
Brooke Garcia
Age: 34
Role: CEO
Employer: 4Seasons Transportation
Location: Calgary, AB
Dylan Gutierrez
Age: 28
Role: Assistant Mechanic
District: Mohave Valley Elementary School District 16
Location: Mohave Valley, AZ
Michael Henley
Photo: Daquavius Coleman
Age: 31
Role: Coordinator of Transportation
District: Douglas County School System
Location: Douglasville, GA
David Johnson
Age: 39
Role: Executive Director
Employer: Iowa Pupil Transportation Association
Location: Van Meter, IA
Morgan Judge
Age: 35
Role: Sr. Director of Regulation, Compliance, and Policy
Employer: EverDriven Technologies, LLC
Location: Greater Denver Metro, CO
Whitney Kopanko
Age: 32
Role: Director of Marketing & School Bus Sales / EV Program Manager
Employer: Sonny Merryman
Location: Evington, VA
Ira Kuenzli
Age: 33
Role: Associate Director, Contracted Services Strategy
Employer: IC Bus
Location: Lisle, IL
Latisha McIntyre Johnson
Photo: Take a Shot Photography, Tina Bloodworth
Age: 36
Role: Cost Clerk
District: New Hanover County Schools
Location: Wilmington, NC
Read McIntyre Johnson’sstory here.
Nikki Patterson
Age: 39
Role: Safety and Training Supervisor
District: Pearland ISD
Location: Pearland, TX
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