There's a new face at Blue Bird! Today, the OEM announced the appointment of Edward T. Hightower to its board of directors, effective immediately. 

Hightower is a seasoned global automotive executive and entrepreneur. He joined Blue Bird as a Class I Director and brings 35 years of leadership experience, with roles in the electric vehicle and automotive industry.

Hightower is the founder and managing director of Motoring Ventures LLC, an investment, growth, strategy, and operations consulting firm focused on driving value in the global automotive industry. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and president of Lordstown Motors Corp., an original equipment manufacturer of electric vehicles for the commercial fleet market, from 2021 to 2024. There, he led the operational turnaround of the company and the launch of its first vehicle, the Endurance full-size pickup truck. 

Hightower also served as CEO of the EV design and engineering joint venture between Lordstown and Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer. In addition, he held senior engineering, marketing, and business development roles at Ford, BMW, and General Motors. Hightower also worked as a hands-on growth, strategy, operations, and M&A consultant at AlixPartners, LLP.

Hightower has a bachelor of science in general engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master of business administration degree from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

“We are pleased to welcome Edward to our Board of Directors as we continue to deliver on our profitable growth plans,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “As the clear leader in alternative-powered school buses, and with our customers continuing their dynamic transition toward electric, zero-emission and ultra-low emission school buses, we look forward to benefitting from Edward’s valuable and relevant experiences and contributions.”

Blue Bird has more than 2,000 electric-powered buses in operation today and have covered more than 5 million miles.