AURORA, Ontario — Industry veteran Barry Stock is coming out of retirement to become a principal at a new school bus contracting company, Landmark Student Transportation.

Stock retired in July 2010 from his post as executive vice president of business development for National Express Corp.

In explaining his decision to come out of retirement and join Landmark, Stock indicated that he had considered opening another type of business, but that he missed the school transportation industry.

"I'm too young to completely retire," Stock said, "and school busing is what I love and know best. Landmark is an exciting venture that will help develop the industry. I want to be a part of that process."

Landmark Student Transportation is a privately owned company that provides school districts with contracted student transportation services. It was founded this year by Brian Stock and John Turney, who said they drew from their extensive industry experience to create a business focused on customer responsiveness.

Brian Stock was formerly the owner of Stock Transportation and a CEO of National Express Corp. John Turney is a former regional vice president of Stock Transportation who has operated school bus lines for both private and publicly owned companies throughout Ontario and Nova Scotia.

"We're delighted that Barry has agreed to join us," Brian Stock said. "Barry was a key player in the school bus industry for more than 28 years. We're anxious to make use of his knowledge and experience."

Barry Stock began his career in 1982 with Cardinal Coach Lines in Alberta. He started Stock School Transport in 1988, which was united with two other family companies in 1992 to become Stock Transportation. He was a co-owner of Stock Transportation, which grew to 2,300 buses before being sold to National Express Corp.

Barry Stock has also been active with many industry groups over the years, including a term as president of the National School Transportation Association. In 1997, he was named SBF's Contractor of the Year.