SchoolBus logo in red and orange
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NSTA honors contractors for service excellence

Members convene in Tulsa, Okla., this week for the association’s 49th Annual Meeting and Convention, and they are honored during an awards ceremony in such areas as environmentally friendly efforts, and safe and longtime service.

July 25, 2013
2 min to read


TULSA, Okla. — School bus contracting professionals convened here this week for the National School Transportation Association’s (NSTA) 49th Annual Meeting and Convention, and on Tuesday, they were recognized during the association’s awards ceremony.

The banquet included honors for such areas as environmentally friendly efforts and excellence in service and safety.

Ad Loading...

Here is the full list of award winners:

Golden Merit
Kitty Anderson — Durham School Services, Overland Park, Kan.
Gail Bergstrom — Durham School Services, Racine, Wis.
Frank Luciano — First Student Inc., Boonton, N.J.
Susan Moorehead — First Student Inc., Industry, Calif.
Dale Duley — GO Riteway Transportation Group, Brown Deer, Wis.
Greg Stock — Stock Transportation Ltd., Barrie, Ontario

Thomas Built Buses Continuing Education and Professional Growth Grant
Dave Hietpas — Kobussen Buses Ltd., Kimberly, Wis.

Meritorious Service
Gabe Rozsa — Prime Policy Group, Washington, D.C.

Outstanding Driver of the Year
Ford Thompson — First Student Inc., Minnetonka, Minn.
Theo Hurkes — GO Riteway Transportation Group, Milwaukee

American School Bus Council Champion
Dale Krapf — Krapf Bus Companies, Philadelphia

Ad Loading...

Green School Bus Fleet Certification
Platinum: Durham School Services — Aurora, Ill.; Bridge Creek, Okla.; Burnsville, Minn.; Central Dauphin, Pa.; Framingham, Mass.; Lakewood, N.J.; Louisburg, Kan.; Milwaukee; Norwalk, Conn.; San Bernardino, Calif.

(New for 2013, the platinum level recognizes achievements in the highest level of fleet reduction in particulate matter.)

Gold: GO Riteway Transportation Group — nationwide; and Durham School Services — Jacksonville, Fla.; Memphis, Tenn.

Go Yellow, Go Green
GO Riteway Transportation Group — Germantown, Wis.

Distinguished Service
Todd Monteferrario — First Student Inc., Cincinnati

Ad Loading...

Hall of Fame
Magda Dimmendaal — Dousman Transport Co. Inc., Oconomowoc, Wis.

(Also during the convention, Dimmendaal ended her term as president of NSTA, handing over the reins to Timothy Flood of The Trans Group LLC. See story here for more details.)

SCHOOL BUS FLEET's Contractor of the Year
David Duke — National Express Corp., Warrenville, Ill. (see story here for more details)

More Management

The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
SponsoredFebruary 11, 2026

70 Years, 100 Episodes: The Stories Behind Decades of School Busing

It’s a celebration and a blast from the past in this special anniversary episode of The Route. Take a walk through major industry moments, milestones, and the people who shaped it with some faces you haven’t seen in a while! The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Graphic labeled “Legislative Roundup” featuring a school bus illustration in front of the U.S. Capitol dome with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 10, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Stop-Arm Cameras, Safety Retrofits & Driver Shortage Fixes

From Maine bus safety upgrades to stop-arm camera bills, electric bus funding, and an Alabama workforce solution, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Amanda Huggett sits smiling in front of a row of yellow school buses beside a graphic reading “School Bus Fleet Monthly Cheat Sheet: Top News & Updates – January 2026,” promoting an industry news recap video.
Managementby Amanda HuggettFebruary 9, 2026

Safety Stories, State Legislation, OEM Moves & Love the Bus: January 2026 School Bus News Recap

Missed any of last month’s industry news? We got you. Reporting from Minneapolis, here’s your quick recap of updates from Waymo's controversy, technology, and safety legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
school bus driver with student
SponsoredFebruary 9, 2026

How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps

Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.

Read More →
Children run toward a stopped yellow school bus on a residential street as a graphic overlay reads “School Bus Fleet Biz Briefs” with the date February 9, 2026, promoting an industry business news roundup.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsFebruary 7, 2026

School Bus Business Briefs: School Grants, New Contracts & Revenue Growth

In school bus tech and vendor updates, check in on news from EverDriven, Gatekeeper, Fleetio, Transfinder, RIDE, and new district partnerships.

Read More →
A red and orange personnel roundup graphic with text reading "Changing Lanes."
Managementby Elora HaynesFebruary 4, 2026

Changing Lanes: EverDriven, ADROIT, DeVivo Companies, School Bus Logistics, Zum, & Dorman

Check out some of the latest personnel moves from across the school bus industry, including new leadership appointments, various promotions, and major restructuring.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
parked school buses
SponsoredFebruary 3, 2026

From Damage Control to Decision Partner: Transportation's Role in School Closures & Redistricting

School closures are inevitable, but transportation chaos doesn’t have to be. Learn how modern routing technology helps districts model closure scenarios before board votes turn into crises.

Read More →
Graphic reading “It’s Launch Day! Behind SBF’s New Website” with a desktop and mobile preview of the redesigned School Bus Fleet website on an orange and cream background.
Managementby StaffFebruary 3, 2026

School Bus Fleet, Refreshed: New Website, New Look, Same Commitment

A cleaner layout, improved organization, and a better reading experience are here. Explore what’s new on schoolbusfleet.com!

Read More →
A red and orange graphic with text reading "Representation Matters in School Transportation Leadership."
ManagementFebruary 3, 2026

Why Representation Matters in Transportation Leadership

A firsthand look at how diverse leadership in school transportation builds trust and drives stronger systems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
the contractor of the year award logo on an orange background with confetti
Managementby StaffFebruary 2, 2026

Nominations Open for 2026 Contractor of the Year

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.

Read More →