Blue Bird names new CFO
Phil Tighe joins the school bus manufacturer with more than 30 years of financial experience with Ford Motor Co. Most recently, he was based in Shanghai, leading Ford's strategic planning for growth in Asia.

Phil Tighe joins Blue Bird with more than 30 years of financial experience with Ford Motor Co.
FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Phil Tighe has joined Blue Bird as chief financial officer.
Tighe joins the school bus manufacturer with more than 30 years of financial experience with Ford Motor Co.
His experience includes financial control and strategic planning, both domestically and internationally. He has held positions in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
Most recently, Tighe was based in Shanghai, leading Ford's strategic planning for growth in Asia.
“We are delighted to welcome Phil to the Blue Bird team,” President and CEO Phil Horlock said. “Phil brings a thorough knowledge of the finance function and considerable experience in developing and executing business strategies with the operations that drive profitable growth. His experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow our market share both domestically and internationally.”
Tighe received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne (Australia) and his Master of Business Administration degree from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
More Management

Zum Reaches 19 States With New York Expansion
The addition of the Empire State to the student transportation company's roster marks a growing expansion in the Northeast as it scales its tech and school bus services.
Read More →
First Student Updates Its Parent App
First View connects both yellow bus and alternative transportation, giving families one platform to track student trips for the new school year, with 15 languages supported.
Read More →
The Back-to-School Checklist Every Director Should Complete Before the First Bell
Help your transportation team start the school year strong with these tips for contingency planning, communication, fleet visibility, technology, and trip management.
Read More →
How a New York District Cut Nearly $1M in Transportation Costs While Expanding Bus Access
A data-driven overhaul with BusRight reduced Poughkeepsie City School District's planned routes from 26 to 17 while extending school bus service to about 1,200 additional students.
Read More →
Budgets Down, Enrollment Shifting: What the Data Says Districts Should Watch
School transportation departments face two converging challenges this year: tightening budgets and shifting enrollment. Most districts still address these issues separately, but the assumption that either trend will simplify operations is proving incorrect.
Read More →
These 8 School Transportation Companies Made the 2026 Inc. 5000 List
Find out which school transportation contractors, technology providers, and suppliers ranked among America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Read More →The Link Between Emotional Intelligence and School Bus Safety
How can emotional intelligence help transportation pros navigate stress, manage change, and build stronger relationships? Listen to find out.
Read More →What Emotional Intelligence Has to Do With School Bus Safety
In this video, discover how emotional intelligence can help transportation leaders and drivers navigate stress, manage change, and build stronger relationships. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
Beyond Two-Way Radios: School Bus Communications Evolve With Push-to-Talk Over Cellular
PRYME Radio and PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free radio use and reduce distracted driving. See how PoC compares with traditional radios on range, cost, safety, and connectivity.
Read More →
Have School Districts Adapted to Bus Driver Shortages or Simply Accepted Less Service?
According to a recent report from HopSkipDrive, many districts appear to have recalibrated what "normal" transportation service looks like.
Read More →

