A new group of outstanding private school bus contractors were honored at the 2026 National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Annual Meeting & Conference, held from July 19–22, 2026, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Winners were recognized at the NSTA Awards and Installation Dinner on July 21, 2026.

2026 NSTA Award Winners

Golden Merit Awards

• Daniel Becher, GO Riteway Transportation Group
• John Elliott, Jr., Durham School Services
• Maria Todaro, Krapf School Bus
• Paul Brown, First Student, Inc.
• Bob Koban, Beacon Mobility
• Eric Toomey, Dean Transportation

The Golden Merit Award is one of NSTA's highest honors, created in 1969, to recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in safety, driver training, business practices, vehicle maintenance, and superior service to their school districts, communities, and the school transportation industry. 

“John has led our company to many great successes over the years,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Summit School Services. "Through his integrity, industry expertise, and innate ability to connect with customers, he has built trusted, long-lasting partnerships by listening to their needs and responding with decisive action and genuine care. This award is a tremendous testament to both who he is as a person and the amazing career he has built in the school bus industry. Congratulations, John, on this incredible recognition, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to safety and excellence.” 

Outstanding Driver Service Awards

• Jean Alexandre, Royal Coach
• James Becker, Johnson School Bus Service
• Charlene Editone, First Student
• Marlon Forrester, Beacon Mobility/WE Transport
• Julie Sadowske, Dousman Transport Company
• Bonnie Searle, R&J Transportation

This award, in conjunction with School Bus Fleet, recognizes school bus drivers who provide unsurpassed service and dedication to students and the communities they serve.

Go Yellow, Go Green Award

• Beacon Mobility, Lynda Gomez
• Dean Transportation, Christopher Dean

This award recognizes a company leader who demonstrates initiative and commitment in pursuing a positive response to growing environmental concerns. Go Yellow, Go Green is a national campaign to promote the greater use of school buses as a viable response to the problems of air pollution and excessive fuel usage. The campaign encourages cleaner operation of school buses through idle reduction, retrofits, bus replacements, and technology.

Gomez oversees Beacon's largest EV fleet that is 100% electric.

Dean led the company's transition to a greener fleet, with 45 electric school buses in service by the end of 2026.

NSTA Committee Member of the Year

• John Zaworski, strategic initiatives manager, Dean Transportation

Created in 2023, this award honors an individual NSTA committee member who has gone above and beyond expectations in fulfilling their commitment to service and representing the association, serving for at least two successive years.

Zaworski serves on NSTA's business development committee, where he has spearheaded a partnership with students from Michigan State University to produce private market share data that provides meaningful value to NSTA and its members. He's also helped implement several outsourcing campaigns, participating in events like the NSTA Capitol Hill Bus-In.

NSTA Committee Chair of the Year

• Kevin Kilner, chief safety officer, Beacon Mobility

Created in 2023 and awarded by the NSTA executive committee, this award honors an NSTA committee chairperson who has exhibited excellence in leadership, innovation, and commitment to their role in the organization, with at least two years of service.

Kilner is chair of the NSTA safety competition, where he helped implement several key changes to the 2026 competition and has advocated for the event.

NSTA Vendor Partner of the Year

• Maritza Valentin, national account manager, AMF Bruns of America

An honor awarded to an NSTA Vendor Partner who has offered superior support to NSTA through committee service, financial commitment, and educational contributions to the organization and industry.

Valentin is active in the NSTA, as well as other industry groups like NAPT, NASDPTS, NCST, and collaborates with NHTSA. She has certified thousands of transportation pros nationwide through interactive workshops.

Innovator of the Year

• Cameron Wood, lead EV performance analyst, Student Transportation of America

The Innovator Award recognizes an individual who has made significant, tangible contributions to the industry within the past year as an employee of a school bus contractor company. Innovations include technology, operations, safety, and green energy.

Wood has developed a cutting-edge program to help manage EV charging demands and ensure fleets maintain the required state of charge to support safe and sustainable operations.

NSTA Contractor of the Year

• B.R. Williams, Chloe Williams

Awarded to an NSTA contactor member company in recognition for service excellence, company culture, and leadership.

Williams was selected for this award because of her dedication to the safety of the children she transports and to her employees. Tim Weaverling of RWR Insurance said that Williams is "the definition of a servant leader."

The Blake A. Krapf Distinguished Service Award

• Bobbie Hartman, First Student

In 1992, the NSTA board established this award to recognize a school bus contractor for recent, significant, substantial, and special contributions to pupil transportation contracting. In 2026, it was renamed to honor the late Blake A. Krapf, former NSTA president, who died in 2025.

Hartman is honored for her consistent collaboration, responsiveness, and servant leadership. She's also a member of the NSTA business development committee, helping lead the revision of the Outsourcing Student Transportation Toolkit, and contributed to the group's COSSBA presentation.

NSTA Hall of Fame

• Pat Regan, president, Minnesota Coaches

Established in 1992, induction into the NSTA Hall of Fame recognizes excellence in long-term efforts on behalf of the student transportation industry.

Regan was recognized for his institutional knowledge and relentless work ethic, demonstrated through his leadership in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane in Louisiana, where he organized multiple school buses and a car hauler with donated vehicles to help students return to school.

Check out more highlights from the event in this video: