• Age: 36
• Role: Director of Operations, Transportation Department
• Employer: Denver Public Schools
• Location: Denver, CO

As director of operations for Denver Public Schools’ transportation department, Tyler Maybee oversees a complex system that safely and equitably moves nearly 90,000 students each day. At 36, he leads fleet, routing, and project management teams while partnering across one of the nation’s large urban school districts to ensure students can access the educational opportunities they deserve.

While pursuing graduate studies in international development, he worked as a legislative aide for a state senator serving on both the education and transportation committees. The experience sparked his interest in how policy shapes public services.

After graduate school, Maybee worked as an analyst for a nonprofit studying maritime piracy in East and West Africa and Southeast Asia. When that fellowship concluded, he joined Denver Public Schools as an operations analyst, evaluating how policy changes affected business functions and working alongside safety, food services, and transportation teams to find operational efficiencies.

Five years later, he transitioned into transportation as a program manager, rebuilding relationships between departments whose decisions directly impact routing and service delivery. When the director role opened, he stepped forward.

“I applied for the role hoping to grow my ability to support our students and work at the forefront of our district initiatives related to equity for students,” he said.

Today, Maybee oversees the operational engine of the district’s transportation. While he may not be turning wrenches, he leads the team that keeps buses on the road and routes aligned with district priorities. He emphasizes trust and leadership development, working closely with managers to cultivate growth at every level.

He also is an active participant in both the Colorado State Pupil Transportation Association and Colorado Transportation Administrator Consortium.

“We focus on creating an environment where trust is not earned, but is provided until proven otherwise,” Maybee explained. “As director, it is my job to make sure we are functioning together and supporting each other to help create the best possible transportation experience for our students.”

Making Data-Driven Decisions

One of Maybee’s strengths is data analysis and using this information to make informed decisions. One of his most significant accomplishments came during the rollout of the district’s Healthy Start Times Initiative, which shifted all secondary school start times to 8:20 a.m. or later. Transportation played a central role in modeling implementation scenarios for the advisory committee and in reconfiguring the district’s bell schedule.

The department streamlined more than 25 unique bell time tiers into three, aligning high schools districtwide and increasing system efficiency. The change reduced route requirements from 667 to 620, generating approximately $2 million in annual savings while taking a more equity-driven approach to resource allocation.

A Vision for Integrated Student Transportation

Outside of operational technicalities, Maybee carries forward advice that has shaped his leadership philosophy. Early in his career, a senior policy analyst encouraged him to specialize.

“They told me to find something and become an expert on it. Others will find value in your deep knowledge of that subject,” he recalled.

Looking ahead, Maybee hopes to see greater innovation and integration across student transportation technology platforms. Many districts, he noted, rely on multiple vendors that offer powerful tools but lack seamless interoperability.

“I push every internal and external partner our department works with to consider how increased accessibility will better safety and access for our students through more efficient workflow from routing to dispatching to maintaining our fleet,” he said.

For Maybee, student transportation is a foundational service that ensures access to education. By blending policy insight with a commitment to equity, he is helping Denver Public Schools build a system that moves students forward.