MENU
SEARCHIt's time to nominate the transportation directors who exemplify excellence in district or state-level school bus operations!
The School Bus Fleet Administrator of the Year will be profiled in the magazine and website, receive a trophy, and an expenses-paid trip to SBFX in Arizona in September.
Photo: School Bus Fleet
Do you know a district or state-level transportation director who exemplifies excellence in leadership, safety, and dedication? We want to hear about them!
Each year, School Bus Fleet (SBF) looks for candidates who have made a significant contribution to pupil transportation through innovative ideas and positive impact on their department, their community, and through state and national associations.
Ultimately, one will be chosen and named the 2026 School Bus Fleet 2026 Administrator of the Year.
The selected 2026 Administrator of the Year will be profiled in School Bus Fleet’s April/May issue with a photo on the cover, and on www.schoolbusfleet.com.
They will also 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 honored and presented with a trophy at the awards ceremony.
While SBF has been giving this award for over 50 years(!), get inspired by reading about the recipients from the last five years:
2025: Kimberly Jones
2024: Liz Thies
2023: Karim Johnson
2022: Joshua Hinerman
2021: Wayne Reese
Self-nominations are eligible (go ahead, brag on yourself!).
District- and state-level directors are eligible.
Multiple nominations for the same person are allowed, but quantity of nominations per person will have no bearing on the decision. The selection process assesses the individual strength and story of each nominee. We prefer one comprehensive submission for each nominee!
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 Administrator of the Year title will be considered.
The evaluation and selection process will happen in early February; a SBF editor will notify both the nominator and winner shortly after.
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, inspire teams, and go above and beyond. Include testimonials from other administrators, peers, and colleagues if you can.
Include attachments – Photos, documentation, and letters of recommendation are not required but do strengthen nomination quality. Share news stories or district website posts where they’ve been featured. We love seeing their thought leadership!
Provide a full career narrative – Share their journey, early roles, 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!
To submit a nomination, fill out the form online HERE. For more information, contact Amanda Huggett at amanda.huggett@bobit.com.
Nomination deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026.
School bus contractors and alternative transportation providers, your insights are crucial; please help us report on the state of contracting in this survey. Answers close March 31.
Read More →
CalAmp’s updated Here Comes The Bus app introduces enhanced safety controls, streamlined parent onboarding, and expanded features to improve visibility and communication around student transportation.
Read More →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
In school bus tech and vendor updates, check in on news from EverDriven, Gatekeeper, Fleetio, Transfinder, RIDE, and new district partnerships.
Read More →
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 →
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 →
A cleaner layout, improved organization, and a better reading experience are here. Explore what’s new on schoolbusfleet.com!
Read More →
