WALL, N.J. — Barbara Basney has joined the board of directors for school bus contractor Student Transportation Inc. (STI).

The STI board unanimously accepted the nomination of Basney to join the board effective immediately, the company announced on Wednesday.

STI is North America's third-largest provider of school bus transportation services, with more than 12,000 vehicles in operation.

Basney has more than 24 years of corporate managerial experience. She currently serves as vice president of global advertising and media for the Xerox Corp. in Norwalk, Connecticut. She is also a board member of the Ad Council and the International Advertising Association.

"Barbara is an outstanding addition to our board," STI Chairman and CEO Denis Gallagher said. "She is a forward-thinking, energetic marketing professional. … Working at a very senior level in such a global company as the Xerox Corporation, she brings tremendous strategic capabilities and insight into today's new media.”

Gallagher added that Basney will be particularly valuable as STI modifies its approach to customer outreach.

STI’s board has appointed three female directors in the past three years, which Gallagher said “brings not only diversity of gender to the board, but also diversity of experiences and thought, which is what makes an effective board.”

Other recent news on STI:

• 11 inducted into Student Transportation Inc.’s Wall of Fame