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

Read Aquino’s story here.

Randall Crawford

• Age: 36

• Role: Director of Transportation

• District: Clay County District Schools

• Location: Green Cove Springs, FL

Read Crawford’s story here.

Megan Fratzke

• Age: 39

• Role: Dispatcher

• District: Bemidji Area Schools, ISD 31

• Location: Bemidji, MN

Read Fratzke’s story here.

Brooke Garcia

• Age: 34

• Role: CEO

• Employer: 4Seasons Transportation

• Location: Calgary, AB

Read Garcia’s story here.

Dylan Gutierrez

• Age: 28

• Role: Assistant Mechanic

• District: Mohave Valley Elementary School District 16

• Location: Mohave Valley, AZ

Read Gutierrez’s story here.

Michael Henley

• Age: 31

• Role: Coordinator of Transportation

• District: Douglas County School System

• Location: Douglasville, GA

Read Henley’s story here.

David Johnson

• Age: 39

• Role: Executive Director

• Employer: Iowa Pupil Transportation Association

• Location: Van Meter, IA

Read Johnson’s story here.

Morgan Judge

• Age: 35

• Role: Sr. Director of Regulation, Compliance, and Policy

• Employer: EverDriven Technologies, LLC

• Location: Greater Denver Metro, CO

Read Judge’s story here.

Whitney Kopanko

• Age: 32

• Role: Director of Marketing & School Bus Sales / EV Program Manager

• Employer: Sonny Merryman

• Location: Evington, VA

Read Kopanko’s story here.

Ira Kuenzli

• Age: 33

• Role: Associate Director, Contracted Services Strategy

• Employer: IC Bus

• Location: Lisle, IL

Read Kuenzli’s story here.

Latisha McIntyre Johnson

• 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

Read Patterson’s story here.