High-profile speakers added to upcoming conferences
David Kelly, acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will be a key speaker here at this month’s conference of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — David Kelly, acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will be a key speaker here at this month’s conference of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.
Kelly will likely address his agency’s forthcoming final rule on enhancing school bus occupant protection.
Kelly’s presentation, on Oct. 24, will follow welcoming remarks from Jim Rex, South Carolina’s state superintendent of schools, on “The Greening of Education.”
The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) conference, also in Myrtle Beach, will draw Rick Ridgeway, a man who has been called “The Real Indiana Jones.”
Ridgeway is a renowned adventurer, filmmaker and author. He now serves as Patagonia Inc.’s vice president of environmental initiatives.
In a presentation on Oct. 29, Ridgeway will share how the core values of Patagonia — a privately held company that makes clothing and equipment for sports like climbing, skiing, surfing and trail running — can be applied to school transportation.
Ridgeway will discuss how to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis — the three components of the company’s mission statement.
More Management

Changing Lanes: BusWhere, EverDriven, InterMotive, Summit School Services, Switzer-Carty & Thomas Built Buses
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers.
Read More →
The Most Expensive Thing You Do Before Selling a School Bus: Wait
When should you sell an aging school bus? Learn how maintenance, mileage, corrosion, specifications, and timing can affect resale value long before the auction.
Read More →
American Student Transportation Partners Acquires AJ Myers and Sons
A new deal brings a 75-year Pennsylvania student transportation provider into one of the nation’s largest private school bus contracting groups.
Read More →
What I Brought Home From SBFX: Relationships, Leadership, and Preparing What's Next
Who could lead your transportation operation tomorrow if you couldn't? Bernando Brown explores succession planning, mentorship, and preparing emerging leaders to step up.
Read More →
Inside School Bus Fleet ConneX 2026: Industry Leaders Connect in Scottsdale [Photos]
See highlights from SBFX 2026 in Arizona, where school bus operators and suppliers gathered for meetings, education, networking, awards, and more.
Read More →
School Transportation’s Biggest Pressures and Opportunities: SBFX Attendees Weigh In
School bus operators point to rising costs, staffing, and vehicle prices as immediate pressures while identifying technology, training, and routing as opportunities for growth.
Read More →
STA Acquires Sunrise Transportation
Student Transportation of America expands in Illinois and Connecticut through Sunrise's fleet of nearly 1,000 vehicles.
Read More →
EPA Opens $180M DERA Funding Round for Diesel Upgrades
The 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program seeks applications from eligible organizations to accelerate the retirement of legacy diesel vehicles.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive’s CareEngine Targets the ‘Exceptions’ in Student Transportation
The new platform works alongside districts’ existing transportation management systems to coordinate specialized rides, automate last-minute changes, and turn ride data into operational improvements.
Read More →
The Right Ride for Every Student: Navigating the New Student Transportation Ecosystem
How should districts blend school buses with small-vehicle transportation and other options? EverDriven CEO Mitch Bowling discusses safety, costs, partnerships, and strategy.
Read More →

