First Student names senior contract manager
Roger Radcliffe will hold the position for the company’s Detroit location. He will oversee all transportation, safety and maintenance operations for the company’s contract with Detroit Public Schools.
CINCINNATI — First Student Inc. has named Roger Radcliffe senior contract manager for the company’s Detroit location. He will oversee all transportation, safety and maintenance operations for the company’s contract with Detroit Public Schools.
Radcliffe brings a wealth of experience in transportation, law enforcement and the military to his new role. Most recently, he worked at Dayton (Ohio) Public Schools, where he used his management, organizational and critical problem solving skills as the area manager of operations and interim director of the district’s transportation division, First Student officials said.
Radcliffe also spent many years with the U.S. Army, where he achieved the rank of captain. He held a series of police and security positions at such locations as the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Kaiserslautern in Germany, Fort Sheridan in Illinois and Fort McClellan in Alabama. In addition, he attended the U.S. Army Terrorism Counteraction School, the U.S. Army Crime Prevention School and received U.S. Army military police officer advanced training.
During his years in law enforcement, Radcliffe trained at the Michigan Department of State Police Academy and was given several special assignments throughout the state, including the city of Benton Harbor and the city of Detroit’s multi-jurisdictional task forces.
“We are pleased to welcome Roger to the First Student team. His background in student transportation, as well as experience in military and civilian law enforcement are sure to benefit the students and schools we serve within the Detroit Public Schools,” said Doug Meek, region operations manager. “Having grown up in Detroit, he knows the community well and is dedicated to providing safe transportation to the students that live there.”
Radcliffe holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn.
More Management

How School Transportation Departments Can Help Acclimate New Riders to the Bus
Here's how transportation departments can turn first-day jitters into confidence for students and parents alike.
Read More →
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Nearly 90 Years of Safely Transporting Wisconsin Students
From one farmer's act of service to a fourth-generation family business, Kobussen Buses reflects on nearly 90 years of earning the trust of Wisconsin families.
Read More →
Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.
Read More →
NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees
The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.
Read More →
Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City
From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support
The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners
See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.
Read More →
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation
Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.
Read More →
2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report
Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners
Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.
Read More →

