Several Minnesota contractors were honored at the 2025 Minnesota School Bus Operators Association (MSBOA) annual summer conference, held June 16-17 in Deerwood, Minnesota.

Transportation Specialist Award

Seven received the year's Transportation Specialist Award, which honors those who work on the front lines in the industry: drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and safety directors, who exemplify the best of the best in school transportation and have dedicated their lives to the field.

• Audra & Paul Dahlheimer of Bemidji Bus Line

• Bob Tyrrell of Aksamit Transportation Inc.

• Carol Perron of Faribault Transportation Service 

• Jerry Reutler of Ready Bus Company

• Norb Walz of Trobec's Bus Service

• Ronald Nash of First Student

• Tim Podas of Schmitty & Sons Transportation

Lifetime Achievement Award

Gordy Hoglund of Hoglund Bus won the association's Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025. Established in 2006, the Lifetime Achievement Award honors past or present members of the MSBOA who exemplify excellence as a school bus transportation provider with 20 or more years of experience.

Hoglund assumed ownership of the family business in 1985, which was started by his father. Gordy and his brother each took on one part of the operation, Gordy taking the reins for the contracting company, and his brother the bus sales. He went on to establish four other businesses to manage the seasonal nature of school bus driving for his staff. 

"Like so many small-town owners, dad was hands-on in every way," his daughter Kari wrote in the nomination. 

Hoglund served on the MSBOA board, co-authored the vehicle maintenance and pre-trip inspection portions of the School Bus Driver Safety Curriculum.

Jim DeVeau Award

Connie and Curt Grisim (second and third in photo) of Grisim School Bus won the Jim DeVeau Award this year.

The Jim DeVeau Award was established in 2007 to recognize individuals whose tireless efforts have shaped both the MSBOA and the broader school bus industry. Like Jim DeVeau himself, the Grisims exemplify steadfast dedication, innovative spirit, and a lifetime commitment to student transportation in Minnesota.

Curt Grisim started his career at just 16 years old, working alongside his father, Ken Grisim, who operated a school bus and charter business in Northfield. In 1984, Curt and Connie purchased the Glovers Bus Company in Stewartville, relocating and taking reins of the operation. In 1990, they were awarded the Stewartville Transit Bus contract and expanded service. Today, Grisim School Bus transports over 1300 students daily with a staff of 36 dedicated employees. Connie has served on the MSBOA board and committees. 

Association Updates

Recently, MSBOA welcomed a new executive director whose name should be familiar: Curt Macysyn of Enterprise Public Affairs (Macysyn also serves as the executive director of the National School Transportation Association). 

“I am proud and pleased to take over as the executive director of the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association (MSBOA) in a state where private operators account for 68% of school transportation services overall," he said. The organization has been in existence for almost 80 years, and it has remained a focal point for school bus operators who provide safe, reliable, and efficient student transportation in Minnesota. The summer convention was a great opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the recently concluded school year through the awards banquet, as well as showcase MSBOA vendor members in an outdoor showcase. We also had Rep. Pete Stauber and Kendall Qualls provide timely and insightful keynote messages, as well as several other professional development sessions to support our members. All in all, it was a great event and experience for me, and I hope members share that sentiment too.”