Editor's Note: A new face stepped into the role of Tennessee state transportation manager at the start of this current school year. As Josh Hinerman transitioned into the role at the Tennessee Department of Education, he previously served as head of transportation for Robertson County Schools for nearly 10 years. We check in with him as he settles into the role and reflects on the legacy that came before him. 

I stepped into the role of transportation manager and state director for the Tennessee Department of Education on September 15, 2025, and I carry with me not only a sense of deep gratitude, but also a profound awareness of the responsibility entrusted to me. 

This position is more than a job; it is the fulfillment of a calling I have felt since 2001, when I first said I hoped the Lord would one day place me in a position where I could make meaningful, lasting change for pupil transportation in our great state. Today, by His grace, that prayer has been answered.

My journey into school transportation began before I was even old enough to drive. As a high school student writing a research paper on the yellow school bus, I met a man who would change the course of my life: Johnny Flynt Sr. After our interview, he wrote down my birthday and phone number. On the day I turned old enough to drive, he called and asked if I was ready to join the team. I said “yes,” and my career in transportation began.

It is only fitting that I recently stood beside Johnny again, both of us in front of a school bus, as I shared the news of my new role and thanked him for the leadership and faith he invested in me all those years ago.
But Johnny is not the only one to whom I owe a debt of gratitude. Leaders such as Larry Riggsbee, Melissa Garton, Ray Robinson, Mike Davis, Dr. Chris Causey, Lynn Spears and Trish Tucker and a few who have passed away already, namely Stephanie Mason, Dr. Ernest Farmer, Clint Barnes, and Cody Capps, all played pivotal roles in shaping me professionally and personally. 

Their wisdom, support, and example helped build the foundation I stand on today.

And then, of course, there is Dr. Ernest Farmer, whose legacy in Tennessee pupil transportation continues to inspire so many of us. To be the first sitting transportation director to step into this role since Dr. Farmer is an honor of tremendous weight and meaning. His influence on our state was unmistakable, and my prayer is that I may one day be even a fraction as impactful and formidable a leader as he was.

As I continue this next chapter, my priorities are clear and rooted in a simple truth: every decision we make must be student-centered. Our work must remove barriers to educational access and ensure that every child, regardless of ZIP code, begins their school day safely, reliably, and with dignity.

With that mission in mind, these are some of the key initiatives important to me.

1. Strengthening Communication and Transparency

Districts deserve timely, accurate, and relevant information, especially when federal regulations shift or new guidance emerges. I am committed to improving communication systems so districts are never left guessing and always feel supported.

2. Providing “Wow-Level” Customer Service

School transportation is a people-centered profession. My role is to serve our districts with humility, responsiveness, and excellence. Whether they have a question, a challenge, or a crisis, I want Tennessee’s transportation directors to know they have a partner at the state level who will answer the phone, follow through, and walk alongside them.  

My time with Lowe's Home Improvement Center as an HR coordinator and HR manager equipped me with valuable people-centered skill sets and ingrained into me the importance of service and customer service.

3. On-the-Ground Support and Compliance Visits

I plan to spend significant time in districts, seeing operations firsthand, offering support, ensuring compliance, and learning what our teams need most. Real relationships build real trust, and real trust builds better outcomes.  

I believe that we focus a great deal of our time on the letter of the law, but I never want to lose sight of the spirit of the law. We must remember those who make this work possible, and where possible we have to help them grow, even when they encounter challenges.

4. Strengthening Cross-Agency Collaboration

The world of school transportation touches more partners than most realize, including:

• CDL testing and licensing authorities

• The Department of Safety Pupil Transportation Division

• The Department of Education

• Highway safety offices

• State and federal regulatory bodies

• Emergency management agencies

• Health and human services partners

• Local law enforcement

• Vendor and industry collaborators

• Training and certification bodies

My goal is to streamline processes, build stronger partnerships, and ensure Tennessee speaks with one coordinated, student-focused voice.

5. Improving Data Use and Identifying the Right KPIs

We collect data for a reason. Used wisely, it can help us set clear priorities, improve safety outcomes, measure success, and better serve our districts. I intend to work with stakeholders to ensure we’re tracking the right key performance indicators, ones that truly drive student safety, operational efficiency, and district support.

Being a former district transportation director myself, I understand the realities, challenges, and joys of “life in the trenches.” That experience strengthens my advocacy and keeps me grounded in the daily realities of the men and women who carry out this mission on the front lines.

Ultimately, I see our work as more than mechanical or logistical. It is sacred. 

Every day, we are entrusted with children, who I believe are an element of the divine. They represent possibility, promise, and the future. We must not see them only for who they are today, but for who they can become. And because of that, we must carry out our responsibilities with integrity, excellence, and heart.

As I begin this new role, my prayer is simple: that God will grant me the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to be all that Tennessee’s transportation directors and teams need me to be. This work will not be transformed overnight, but through strategic partnerships, strong relationships, and a shared vision of excellence, I believe Tennessee can shine once again, just as brightly as it did during the Dr. Farmer era.

I am humbled, honored, and ready to serve. Together, we will continue elevating the vital work of the yellow school bus and the professionals who keep our students safe every day.