We're looking for an amazing school bus contractor executive who embodies dedication, excellence, and innovation. Nominate the greats you know for SBF's 2026 award! Nominations close March 31.
Don't miss your chance to honor a deserving contractor for their outstanding service to students and school districts.
Credit:
School Bus Fleet
3 min to read
Know a school bus contractor who is a shining example of efficiency, safety, and knowledge? Someone who is inspiring, innovative, and dedicated to the reliable transportation of students? Tell us about them!
School Bus Fleet’s Contractor of the Year award recognizes individual leaders who have made remarkable contributions to the pupil transportation industry through their own companies or involvement in industry associations. It represents those who go above and beyond and define the best of the best.
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Winners Package
The selected 2026 Contractor of the Year will be profiled in School Bus Fleet’s June/July issue with a photo on the cover, and on www.schoolbusfleet.com.
Additionally, the recipient will be invited to attend an all-expense paid 3-day, 2-night trip to attend School Bus Fleet ConneX (SBFX), from Sept. 21-23, 2026,at the Scottsdale Resort in Arizona, where they will be celebrated and presented with a trophy.
Contractor of the Year Award History
SBF editor Amanda Huggett stands with Michael Brown, the 2025 winner, at SBFX.
Photo: Amanda Huggett
While SBF has been giving this award for over 55 years(!), get inspired by reading about the recipients from the last five years:
2025: Michael Brown, Michael’s Transportation Service, Inc.
Multiple nominations for the same person are allowed, but quantity will have no bearing on the decision. The selection process assesses the individual strength and story of each nominee. We prefer one comprehensive submission!
Start early and take your time filling out the nomination form. Present a compelling narrative about the nominee.
Only individuals who have not previously won SBF’s Contractor of the Year will be considered.
The evaluation and selection process will happen in April 2026; a SBF editor will notify both the nominator and winner by the middle of the month.
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Tips for a Winning Nomination/What We’re Looking For
Highlight measurable successes – Share examples of barriers overcome and results of wins the nominee championed in technology implementation, process improvements, efficiency gains, or cost savings.
Tell their leadership story – Beyond personality traits (although we want to know those, too!), describe their leadership style, how they partner with others, inspire their teams, and go above and beyond. Include testimonials from district partners, peers, or colleagues if you can.
Include attachments – Photos, documentation, and letters of recommendation are not required but do strengthen nomination quality. Share news stories where they’ve been featured if you have them.
Provide a full career narrative – Share their journey, company history, and growth in the industry that led them to where they are now.
Showcase community and industry impact – Tell us about leadership positions in any associations, conferences, boards, committees, clubs, or regional groups they participate in.
Be detailed and be specific. The more you can share, the better!
Eligibility is open to school bus contractor and alternative transportation executives who demonstrate dedication, excellence, and innovation in their field.
Nominations can be submitted through SBF's official nomination form. Details on how to submit can be found on the website or promotional materials.
The deadline for submitting nominations is March 31, 2026.
Nominees are evaluated based on their dedication, excellence, innovation, and industry involvement within the school bus contracting industry.
The winner will be announced in School Bus Fleet's June-July print issue, and online around the same time.
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The alternative transportation company expands its services to traditional yellow buses with the launch of a new division focused on helping school districts optimize their routes.
Roberts, 35, serves as the lead IT application engineer for vehicle electrification at First Student, where he helps shape scalable, real-world EV infrastructure to support student transportation.
Swazer, 29, serves as director of transportation at Puyallup School District, where he champions student wellbeing and inspires the next generation of industry leaders.
Dubas, 38, serves as sales manager and safety advocate at IMMI, where she advances school bus occupant protection through industry education, OEM collaboration, and proactive safety policy efforts.
Moore, 32, grew up around the school bus, leading him to the classroom and eventually inspiring high-performing teams while bringing operations in house (twice).
Baran, 38, serves as transportation supervisor at Odyssey Charter School in Delaware, where he leads daily operations with a focus on safety and professional growth.
Maybee, 36, leads transportation operations for Denver Public Schools, where he is advancing equity, efficiency, and cross-department collaboration to improve student access.
Higgins, 38, serves as director of industry engagement at TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking), where she equips school transportation professionals with the tools to recognize and report human trafficking.
