ALEXANDRIA, Va. — After about a year on the job, David Hobson has left his position as executive director of the National School Transportation Association (NSTA).

Hobson was appointed to the role in January 2011. He came to the school bus contractor group with extensive association experience, and he had also held a job as a school bus driver to put himself through college.

NSTA President Magda Dimmendaal announced on Thursday that Hobson had departed as of the close of business Wednesday. She spoke highly of his work for the association.

"Over the past year, David has led the NSTA by providing leadership and guidance to our NSTA membership," Dimmendaal said. "He has also focused our involvement in many areas, such as membership growth, database parsing, cash flow management and staff development. I want to thank David for his excellent service to NSTA and wish him the best of luck in his future."

A search for Hobson's replacement is underway.

When Hobson was appointed to the role a year ago, NSTA had not had an executive director since 2004, when Jeff Kulick resigned.