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Sept. 21-23, 2026 | Scottsdale, AZ

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Bret E. Brooks

Chief Operating Officer

Bret E Brooks has been the chief operating officer for Gray Ram Tactical, LLC for more than 18 years. He is the author of several books, numerous articles, and is a sought-after keynote speaker around the world.For professional training solutions tailored to transportation departments, including de-escalation, active shooter/intruder/hijacking responses, emergency crash response, leadership, and student behavior management, or any other training topic, contact Gray Ram Tactical, LLC at bretbrooks@grayramtacticaltraining.com.

School Bus Fleet graphic about building better school board relationships, featuring a blurred boardroom meeting.

Articles•by Bret E. Brooks•January 28, 2026

Building Stronger Partnerships: How School Transportation Can Improve Relationships With School Boards

Strong communication and trust between transportation leaders and school boards are essential to safe, effective operations. Here’s how to build a better partnership.

Articles•by Bret E. Brooks•November 12, 2025

The Overlooked Priority: Why School Bus Companies Must Invest in Security Training

School bus safety isn’t just about driving; it’s about preparedness. Discover why investing in security training is crucial for protecting drivers and students.

Articles•by Bret E. Brooks•August 7, 2025

School Bus In-Service Training Matters All Year Long

Back-to-school training is just the beginning. Discover why ongoing training is essential for safer, more prepared transportation teams, and how it pays off in performance, morale, and student safety.

Articles•by Bret E. Brooks•April 9, 2018

Spotting the Warning Signs of School Violence

It is imperative that the school bus driver of today be aware of the many warning signs and indicators of violence that are present in these types of situations.

Articles•by Bret E. Brooks•August 14, 2014

Identifying drug abuse among students

Really listen to what your students are saying on your bus. Doing so might prevent an active shooter, a case of bullying, drug addiction, or even your own death.

A barbed wire fence

Articles•by Bret E. Brooks•April 9, 2010

How to Beef Up Bus Lot Security

After finding that many school bus yards are lacking preventive measures, a security expert details ways to deter would-be vandals and terrorists, from barbed-wired fencing to automated lighting to surveillance systems.