MENU
SEARCHBlue Bird's newest board member has extensive automotive industry experience, with prior roles at Lordstown Motors, Ford, BMW, and General Motors.
Hightower brings EV and automotive industry experience to the school bus manufacturer.
Photo: Blue Bird Corporation
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.
Stop bidding everything and try a simpler way. Here's how cooperative purchasing can streamline purchases while maintaining compliance. Sourcewell breaks down the process in this episode of The Route, sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
The alternative transportation company expands its services to traditional yellow buses with the launch of a new division focused on helping school districts optimize their routes.
Read More →
Roberts, 35, serves as the lead IT application engineer for vehicle electrification at First Student, where he helps shape scalable, real-world EV infrastructure to support student transportation.
Read More →
Swazer, 29, serves as director of transportation at Puyallup School District, where he champions student wellbeing and inspires the next generation of industry leaders.
Read More →
Dubas, 38, serves as sales manager and safety advocate at IMMI, where she advances school bus occupant protection through industry education, OEM collaboration, and proactive safety policy efforts.
Read More →
Kramlick, 30, runs operations for TransPar in Hawaii, where he also showed dedication while helping Maui recover from the recent wildfires.
Read More →
Moore, 32, grew up around the school bus, leading him to the classroom and eventually inspiring high-performing teams while bringing operations in house (twice).
Read More →
Baran, 38, serves as transportation supervisor at Odyssey Charter School in Delaware, where he leads daily operations with a focus on safety and professional growth.
Read More →
Maybee, 36, leads transportation operations for Denver Public Schools, where he is advancing equity, efficiency, and cross-department collaboration to improve student access.
Read More →
Higgins, 38, serves as director of industry engagement at TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking), where she equips school transportation professionals with the tools to recognize and report human trafficking.
Read More →
