• Age: 33

• Role: Associate Director, Contracted Services Strategy

• Employer: IC Bus

• Location: Lisle, IL

When Ira Kuenzli first entered the transportation industry, he started in engineering for a commercial vehicle and transportation company. What brought him to IC Bus was the idea of mixing his technical background with a focus on solving complex problems. Now, he’s able to help accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility.

“The student transportation industry is one of the most fun industries which I’ve worked,” he said. “Everyone I meet genuinely loves what they do, which puts a personal touch on the products and services that my team delivers.”

Together with his IC Bus team, they are always working to deliver solutions that meet its customer’s needs. Whether evaluating existing products or exploring new possibilities, he values working closely with customers and its dealer network to enhance the company’s customer experience.

What has he learned so far? “Every customer is different, every market is different, but one thing is common – the student transportation industry prioritizes safety above all else. We at IC Bus focus on safety above all else.”

When it comes to advice for others, Kuenzli recommends networking above all else. “While it’s a large industry, it’s also a small one,” he said. “As I have advanced my career in the student transportation industry, the network I’ve created has become instrumental in providing feedback, giving advice, and creating relationships that will last a lifetime.”

One thing he most wants to see in the future is the advancement in battery-electric vehicle adoption. This, he says, will further enhance the safety of the industry and improve the health of students through reduced localized emissions. Then, “when my daughter begins to utilize student transportation, she gets to enjoy all the benefits that zero-emission powertrains offer.”

See Kuenzli in action in this video.

Katie Stok, segment marketing director at IC Bus and a former Trailblazer who nominated Kuenzli, said that Ira is a key part of the IC Bus team, working diligently with dealers and customers. “He dove head first into our bus business, learning the products and customer needs.... knowing that in order to help be a better partner to our customers, we need to better understand their operational pain points,” she said. “IC Bus will continue to be the preferred partner for our customers in part because of Ira's efforts to listen to their needs and think outside the box to develop solutions that provide value to the customer. He has helped to transition the way we do business. At IC Bus, we bring so much more value than ‘just a bus’ to our customers; it's a true partnership.”