ATLANTA — Atlanta Public Schools has hired a new fleet manager: Oliver Baird.
Baird is the former national maintenance director for Tug Technologies. He has also managed large fleets at Coca-Cola and Con-way Freight.
Atlanta Public Schools Names New Fleet Manager
The Georgia district hires Oliver Baird, who has managed large fleets for Tug Technologies and Coca-Cola.
Thomas McMahon・Executive Editor
Oliver Baird is the new fleet manager for Atlanta Public Schools. He has managed large fleets for Tug Technologies and Coca-Cola.
1 min to read
John Franklin, executive director of transportation for Atlanta Public Schools, said that Baird's experience will be invaluable as the district acquires more new buses with complex systems.
"He has really brought a great vision to our fleet maintenance," Franklin said.
The hiring of Baird is part of an overhaul of the fleet department at Atlanta Public Schools, according to Franklin. Over the past month, the district has also hired a new fleet foreman, three new master fleet technicians (with a fourth on the way), and six other new maintenance staff members.
"So far, since its inception, the reorganization has paid dividends," Franklin said.
Atlanta Public Schools has a fleet of 411 school buses that log a total of about 4.5 million miles annually. The district, which was ranked No. 68 in School Bus Fleet’s Top 100 School District Fleets of 2015, transports 23,000 students daily.
More Maintenance
Sponsored•April 1, 2026
The Essential Guide to School Bus Maintenance: Maximizing Safety and Uptime
Stop reacting to engine lights and start predicting them. This guide reveals how transitioning from a "break-fix" model to a data-driven maintenance strategy can drastically reduce fleet downtime and protect your district's budget. Learn how to transform your garage operations from a cost center into a reliability powerhouse.
Read More →
Sponsored•March 24, 2026
12 Ways To Do More Without Blowing Your Fleet’s Budget
Driver shortages and rising costs are straining already stretched school transportation budgets. Learn 12 practical strategies that help school bus fleets be more efficient, control costs, strengthen compliance, and protect student riders…all by using fleet technology that could pay for itself within a year.
Read More →
Sponsored•March 13, 2026
2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
Sponsored•March 13, 2026
2026 School Bus Maintenance Survey
What top challenges are school bus maintenance teams facing in 2026? Explore new trends from School Bus Fleet’s annual maintenance survey covering fleet composition and age, fuel types, used vs. new purchasing patterns, technician pay and certifications, and the impact of the driver shortage. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
Read More →
2026 School Bus Maintenance Survey
What top challenges are school bus maintenance teams facing in 2026? Explore new trends from School Bus Fleet’s annual maintenance survey covering fleet composition and age, fuel types, used vs. new purchasing patterns, technician pay and certifications, and the impact of the driver shortage. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
Read More →
Fleetio Launches AI-Powered Maintenance Service Advisor
The company’s new AI tool helps fleet managers approve repairs faster, prioritize maintenance, and reduce shop time across high-volume fleets.
Read More →
Maintenance Must-Haves: Shop Products We Love
From tire changers and diagnostics to wash systems and brake tech, these maintenance must-haves save time, reduce strain, and keep school bus shops running efficiently.
Read More →
Take a Brake: How School Bus Air Disc, Drum & Hydraulic Systems Compare
Is it time to rethink your school bus brake system? Let’s break down cost, performance, maintenance, and real-world fleet experiences.
Read More →
Bendix Announces 2026 Brake Training Sessions
Bendix’s 2026 training program will bring in-person and virtual brake system courses to technicians across the country, focusing on air brake fundamentals and advanced safety technologies.
Read More →
School Bus Maintenance in 2026: Costs, Tech & Workforce Gaps
As gasoline use rises, maintenance teams face tighter budgets, limited training, and slow wage growth. This and more trends and analysis in our annual survey report. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
Read More →