First Student Technician Earns ASE Master Certification
Randy Stephenson of Boonville, Missouri, is now an Automotive Service Excellence Master Technician.

Randy Stephenson, a maintenance technician at First Student's Boonville, Missouri, location, earned the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician certification. The shop he works at recently earned the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence certification, shown here.

BOONVILLE, Mo. — Randy Stephenson, a maintenance technician for First Student, has earned the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician certification.
Stephenson is responsible for maintaining a fleet of buses that provide transportation services for the Boonville R-1 School District and Prairie View State School in Missouri. Stephenson has 35 years of experience in the transportation industry.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying repair and service professionals. ASE master technicians must complete a series of rigorous tests to earn the certification.
“Earning ASE master technician certification requires years of hands-on work and learning,” said David Weller, First Student regional maintenance manager. “We are proud to have Randy join our other master technicians in leading our effort to ensure excellence in our maintenance operations. Their dedication to the work and passion for continued professional development represent the best our industry has to offer.”
The shop location Stephenson works at recently earned the ASE’s Blue Seal of Excellence.
More Management

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 →
School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells
Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.
Read More →

