Joe Lightsey, the state pupil transportation director of Alabama, has been appointed Southern regional director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS). Lightsey fills the unexpired term of Charlie Hood, state pupil transportation director of Florida, who was recently confirmed as president-elect of NASDPTS. Hood stepped into the president-elect position after Texas state pupil transportation director Charley Kennington resigned the president-elect post because of a job change. Hood recommended to the NASDPTS board that Lightsey be asked to fill the vacancy as Southern regional director and the board concurred. "Joe is no stranger to the national scene of late, being deeply involved in Alabama Gov. Bob Riley's task force that analyzed the need for occupant restraints on school buses," NASDPTS President Derek Graham said.