BALTIMORE — Kevin Clifford got his start in the school transportation industry more than 50 years ago, cleaning buses for his parents' bus operations.

After learning the business over the years, Clifford was named president. Under his leadership, Huntington Coach Corp. expanded and acquired other companies, eventually becoming one of the 20 largest contractor fleets in the country.

Clifford has a passion for saving money for school districts and for growing the contractor presence in the industry. He is constantly lobbying for private sector causes in his state and in Washington D.C.

For his efforts, Clifford was named SCHOOL BUS FLEET's 44th Contractor of the Year. Publisher Frank Di Giacomo presented the award at the National School Transportation Association's annual awards ceremony in Baltimore on Tuesday evening.

An in-depth profile of Clifford will appear in the September issue of SBF.

Other honorees at the ceremony included:

• Golden Merit Award — Scott Bruegge, Durham School Services; Leonard Ciufo, Ciufo Bus Service Inc.; Joseph Gilbert Sr., Gilbert School Bus Co.; Keytha Levanas, Cook-Illinois Corp.; Todd Monteferrario, First Student Inc.; Carina Noble, National Express Corp.

• Hall of Fame Award — Donald Fowler, Fowler Bus Co.

• Distinguished Service Award — Robert L. Smith, Cook-Illinois Corp.

• Outstanding Driver Service Award — Doug Payelle, First Student Inc.

• Meritorious Service Award — Nancy Schulz, First Student Inc.

• Go Yellow, Go Green Award — Riteway Bus Service Inc.