• Age: 29 
• Role: Director of Transportation 
• Employer: Puyallup School District 
• Location: Puyallup, WA 

At just 29 years old, Quavion Swazer has already achieved a goal many spend decades pursuing: becoming a transportation director. But for Swazer, who leads transportation for Puyallup School District in Washington, the journey to his current position was about honoring a lifelong connection to the yellow bus.  

“My mother was a bus driver from the time I was in kindergarten, and I was always amazed by the work bus drivers did,” Swazer said. “Growing up, I developed a deep appreciation for the impact they had on students and the community.” 

After high school, Swazer worked as a mechanic at a Porsche dealership for four years. In February 2019, he saw that Puyallup School District was hiring bus drivers and decided to apply. 

“The idea of having summers and winter break off didn’t sound too bad,” he said.  

The practical move quickly became meaningful work. “I loved my route and the kids I got to drive. They made the job truly enjoyable.” 

After two years behind the wheel, Swazer wanted to make an even bigger impact, so he applied for a router/dispatcher position and shifted into the transportation office. 

“Once I moved into the office, I really enjoyed putting all the pieces together. It was rewarding to see the routes I created being used to bring students to and from school safely every day,” he said. 

Although meetings, planning, and problem-solving fill his days, what Swazer values most is advocacy for his team. As an advocate for the department, Swazer ensures everyone is doing what’s best for “my bus drivers, fleet drivers, and bus paras, as well as what’s best for the students we transport.” 

In addition to leading daily operations, Swazer is spearheading the introduction of 23 propane-powered buses to the Puyallup fleet this year, reflecting his commitment to sustainable transportation solutions while maintaining operational efficiency.  

“His combination of operational expertise, innovative thinking, and natural leadership abilities positions him as a trailblazer who will undoubtedly make significant contributions to our industry for years to come,” said Dawnett Wright, colleague and director of transportation at Peninsula School District in Washington. 

His leadership has also extended statewide: he recently accepted a three-year term on the Washington Association for Pupil Transportation (WAPT) board, further advancing student transportation across the state. 

Leading With Perspective and Purpose 

One of the most important lessons he continues to navigate is perspective, meaning it’s important to him that he never forgets what it’s like to be a bus driver or a student riding the bus. For student transportation leaders, administrative decisions can look logical on a screen, but real-world impact matters. That mindset shapes the advice he offers to others entering the field.  

“Choose this work because it speaks to your heart,” he said. “Student transportation isn’t just about moving passengers from one place to another. It’s about shaping the experiences of the young people we serve every single day.” 

Swazer emphasizes keeping students at the center of every decision, every interaction, and every moment. 

“Our mission is student transportation, and that means ensuring every child who steps onto our buses or vans feels safe, valued, and seen,” he said.  

“The transportation industry needs more leaders like Quavion Swazer,” Wright said. “Individuals who bring fresh perspectives while respecting the foundational principles that keep our students safe every day.” 

Looking ahead, Swazer hopes student transportation gains greater recognition and that others see the “value of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes” of getting students to and from school. 

For young professionals with ambition, his message is direct: “If you are young and ambitious about transportation, don’t let the pushbacks that might happen stop you. Let that be a mountain that you will cross to get to where you need to be.”