NSTA elects first female president

BALTIMORE — Magda Dimmendaal was elected president of the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) last month during the association's Annual Meeting and Convention.

Dimmendaal, CEO of Dousman Transport in Dousman, Wis., is the first woman to lead NSTA in its over 40-year history. She has more than 37 years of experience in the student transportation industry.

"Magda Dimmendaal has a long history of providing leadership and service to the communities and organizations that she is part of," said Rochelle Bast, vice president of operations at Riteway Bus Service in Richfield, Wis. "She brings that solid 'service-above-self' foundation to her new leadership role as president of NSTA."

Dimmendaal acquired Dousman Transport in 1988, and the company now transports 10,000 students over 7,400 miles each school day. She also previously served as president of the Wisconsin School Bus Association.

Dimmendaal succeeds Donald Fowler, president of Fowler Bus Co. in Richmond, Mo., as president of NSTA.