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.
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.
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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
The 2026 Trailblazers are 18 young leaders from across the United States who are making significant contributions in the field of student transportation.
The 2026 Trailblazers are involved in various aspects of student transportation, from districts to contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers, showcasing a wide range of expertise and innovative approaches to leadership.
Others can learn about overcoming challenges, implementing effective solutions, and the importance of innovation in advancing the field of student transportation.
The 2026 Trailblazers advise aspiring leaders to embrace change, continually seek improvement, and remain committed to making impactful contributions in their field.
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