Denis Gallagher named <I>SBF</i> Contractor of the Year
The Student Transportation Inc. founder and leader has led his company through remarkable growth while maintaining a 95% contract renewal rate over 17 years. Gallagher has also been at the forefront in adopting alternative fuels in school transportation — his company has made the largest single order of propane school buses to date: more than 400.
SCHOOL BUS FLEET magazine Publisher Frank Di Giacomo presented Student Transportation Inc. Founder, Chairman and CEO Denis J. Gallagher with its Contractor of the Year award.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Student Transportation Inc. (STI) founder and leader Denis Gallagher has been named SCHOOL BUS FLEET’s 2014 Contractor of the Year.
SBF Publisher Frank Di Giacomo presented the honor at the National School Transportation Association’s awards banquet in Charleston on Tuesday evening.
Gallagher is the chairman and CEO of the third-largest school bus contracting firm in North America. Each school day, Student Transportation Inc. shuttles 1 million students to and from school with a fleet of more than 11,000 yellow buses.
Gallagher has been an outspoken champion of outsourcing school transportation in STI’s work with school districts and in high-profile interviews on news networks. He has led STI’s remarkable growth with a strategy dubbed “A-B-C”: acquisition, bid and conversion.
Gallagher has also been at the forefront in adopting alternative fuels and new technologies in school transportation. In 2012, STI made the largest single order of propane school buses to date: more than 400.
As the company has grown, it has continued to focus on its people as the core of its success. In 2012, STI launched an annual Employee Appreciation Week, which terminals across the nation celebrate with events like catered lunches, barbecues and award ceremonies.
Gallagher has also maintained strong relationships with customers, as evidenced by his company’s 95% contract renewal rate over 17 years.
A profile of Gallagher and STI will appear in the September issue of SCHOOL BUS FLEET.
More Management
How to Build a Better Driver Training Program
Ready to boost up your school bus instructor training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety.
Read More →
CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility
The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.
Read More →
What Makes a Great School Bus Driver Trainer?
Choosing the right school bus driver trainer takes more than experience. Learn six keys to selecting and developing trainers and evaluating program effectiveness.
Read More →
School Bus Contractors Expand Through New Deals, Acquisitions & Partnerships
STA's Canadian division acquires Ontario-based G&L Stevenson Transport while Durham School Services adds a new district contract in California, First Student adds a New Jersey contract, and Minnesota Coaches acquires Halo Transportation.
Read More →
Logan Bus Company Rolls Out AI Phone System for NYC School Bus Families
A summer pilot found that AI agents could handle most routine calls, freeing up time for customer service staff to focus on emergencies and complex family concerns.
Read More →
From Intent to Impact: What I Learned About Leadership from TAPT
A Texas transportation supervisor shares lessons on self-awareness, accountability, managing stress and building trust — and why investing in leadership development matters at every stage of your career.
Read More →
NAPT Names 2026 Award Recipients, Hall of Fame Inductee
Who earned national recognition for their work in student transportation? This year, NAPT named five recipients of its 2026 awards for service, safety, and leadership, plus its newest Hall of Famer.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Driver shortages. Rising costs. Growing safety expectations. More data, but not enough time to act on it. The 2026 State of Student Transportation Report reveals what transportation leaders say is putting the most pressure on their operations—and where they’re investing next. See how your priorities compare.
Read More →
How to De-Escalate an Angry Person: 5 Steps for Handling Workplace Conflict
What makes emotions run high, and how should you handle an angry colleague or parent? Follow these steps for staying calm, listening, showing empathy, and resolving conflict.
Read More →
What Readiness Looks Like This School Year
Learn about the challenges shaping the 2026–2027 school year, from persistent driver shortages and budget pressure to technology and readiness gaps. See how school districts are responding and adapting in Zonar’s 2026 Back-to-School Readiness Report.
Read More →