Check out the recipients from the first three Trailblazers Awards:
Announcing the 2026 Trailblazers: 18 Young Leaders Making a Mark
Meet 18 incredible up-and-coming leaders across the U.S. from all facets of student transportation, including how they advanced, what they learned, and advice for others.
March 18, 2026
We rounded up a new class of outstanding transportation professionals under 40 who are driving positive change in the industry.
Credit:
School Bus Fleet
3 min to read
As always, when the School Bus Fleet team was reviewing the nominations for this year’s Trailblazers, we were up against a wonderful problem: So many amazing applicants that we agonized over who would make the cut this time.
In the end, we selected 18 individuals with powerful stories of leadership, overcoming odds, proven successes, and inspiring personal stories. Winners represent nearly every sector of the industry, from school districts to contractors, to alternative transportation, technology, and product suppliers. Each of these young leaders has a healthy list of accomplishments, and all before age 40.
Together, their stories show the power of mentorship, of falling into transportation for all the right reasons, and leading with heart.
These 18 never lose sight of the big picture — student safety — and the entire industry is better for the work they’ve done to improve and inspire innovation and the teams around us.
Here are their stories.
Anthony Shields
Credit:
Anthony Shields/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 39
- Role: Director of Transportation
- Employer: San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District
- Location: San Marcos, TX
Charli Sanders
Credit:
Charli Sanders/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 37
- Role: Director, Parts & Warranty
- Employer: Summit School Services
- Location: Warrenville, IL
Chris Storer
Credit:
Chris Storer/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 37
- Role: Director of Transportation
- Employer: Yarmouth School Department
- Location: Yarmouth, ME
Dillon LaHaye
Credit:
CST/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 32
- Role: Founder & Chief Operating Officer
- Employer: CST (Collaborative Student Transportation)
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Eric Kramlick
Credit:
Eric Kramlick/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 30
- Role: Operations Manager
- Employer: TransPar Group
- Location: Hawaii
Isaac Linson
Credit:
Isaac Linson/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 36
- Role/title: CEO
- Employer: BusesForSale.com
- Location: Pedricktown, NJ
Jonquez Moore
Credit:
Jonquez Moore/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 32
- Role: Director of Transportation
- Employer: Little Elm Independent School District
- Location: Little Elm, TX
Joshua Baran
Credit:
Joshua Baran/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 38
- Role: Transportation Supervisor
- Employer: Odyssey Charter School
- Location: Wilmington, DE
Joshua Roberts
Credit:
Joshua Roberts/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 35
- Role: Lead IT Application Engineer – Vehicle Electrification
- Employer: First Student, Inc.
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
Katia Dubas
Credit:
Katia Dubas/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 38
- Role: Sales Manager & Safety Advocate
- Employer: IMMI
- Location: Westfield, IN
Keith Corso
Credit:
BusRight/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 26
- Role: Co-Founder & CEO
- Company: BusRight
- Location: New York, NY
Lexi Higgins
Credit:
TAT/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 38
- Role: Director of Industry Engagement
- Employer: TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking)
- Location: New York, NY
Mashayla Nelson
Credit:
Mashayla Nelson/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 31
- Role: Executive Director of Operations
- Employer: Cactus Point Solutions
- Location: Peoria, AZ
Megan Elsberry
Credit:
Megan Elsberry/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 37
- Role: Operations Coordinator - South
- Employer: Cleveland ISD
- Location: Cleveland, TX
Montavia Heath
Credit:
Montavia Heath/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 30
- Role: Director of Transportation
- Employer: Hoke County Schools
- Location: Raeford, NC
Quavion Swazer
Credit:
Quavion Swazer/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 29
- Role: Director of Transportation
- Employer: Puyallup School District
- Location: Puyallup, WA
Tyler Maybee
Credit:
Tyler Maybee/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 36
- Role: Director of Operations, Transportation Department
- Employer: Denver Public Schools
- Location: Denver, CO
Vanecia Weathers
Credit:
Vanecia Weathers/School Bus Fleet
- Age: 33
- Role: Dispatcher
- Employer: Rockwall ISD
- Location: Rockwall, TX
Know someone under 40 who deserves this honor? Nominate them as a 2027 Trailblazer here by Dec. 31, 2026!
Quick Answers
The 2026 Trailblazers are 18 young leaders from across the United States who are making significant contributions in the field of student transportation.
*Summarized by AI
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Management
Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.
Read More →
NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees
The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.
Read More →
Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City
From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support
The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners
See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.
Read More →
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation
Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.
Read More →
Sponsored•July 23, 2026
2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report
Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners
Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.
Read More →
School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells
Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.
Read More →
Photos: NYAPT Celebrates 50 Years at 2026 Conference & Trade Show
See highlights from NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference in Saratoga Springs, featuring educational sessions, awards, a trade show, networking, and more.
Read More →