School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

T.J. Reed Joins Thomas Built Buses as President and CEO

T.J. Reed steps in to the executive leadership role at TBB, effective Sept. 9.

T.J. Reed Joins Thomas Built Buses as President and CEO

T.J.'s excellence in customer focus will serve him well in this new role, said Daimler's Jeff Allen, SVP of operations and specialty vehicles.

Photo: School Bus Fleet

2 min to read


Today, T.J. Reed's new position as president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses (TBB) and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp (FCCC) is official, according to a news release from Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA). In this role, Reed will be responsible for all aspects of both the Thomas Built Buses and FCCC brands, including strategy, sales, and operations. 

Reed succeeds Kevin Bangston, who was appointed CEO and president of Daimler Truck Financial Services North America just last month. 

Ad Loading...

Reed has over 25 years of experience in the truck manufacturing industry. He joined Daimler Truck in 1998 as a custom application engineer for vocational trucks and has since various leadership roles in product marketing, strategy, pricing and P&L within DTNA. He spent six years with Meritor Inc., where he held several senior leadership positions, including vice president of global business development for electrification.

"We’re excited to have T.J. at the helm of these specialty vehicle business units. His extensive industry knowledge and exceptional leadership skills will further strengthen and drive the success of both FCCC and TBB," said John O’Leary, president and CEO of DTNA. "With his vision and holistic approach to operations he will be a valuable asset to these already strong businesses – and help continue to pave the way to sustainable transportation."

Reed earned an MBA from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree in business and history from Muskingum University.

Thomas Built Buses also rolled out its new Saf-T-Liner HDX2 in July.

More Management

A line up of school buses with one out front of the group.
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 7, 2026

Logan Bus Company Rolls Out AI Phone System for NYC School Bus Families

A summer pilot found that AI agents could handle most routine calls, freeing up time for customer service staff to focus on emergencies and complex family concerns.

Read More →
Graphic that reads “What I Learned About Leadership” over photos of school transportation professionals participating in discussions and networking at the TAPT leadership event.
ManagementSeptember 4, 2026

From Intent to Impact: What I Learned About Leadership from TAPT

A Texas transportation supervisor shares lessons on self-awareness, accountability, managing stress and building trust — and why investing in leadership development matters at every stage of your career.

Read More →
Graphic announcing the 2026 NAPT Award Winners, featuring the National Association for Pupil Transportation logo on a blue background with gold stars.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseSeptember 3, 2026

NAPT Names 2026 Award Recipients

Who earned national recognition for their work in student transportation? This year, NAPT named five recipients of its 2026 awards for service, safety, and leadership.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Zonar Cover for White Paper Survey Results for 2026 State of Student Transportation
SponsoredSeptember 2, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Driver shortages. Rising costs. Growing safety expectations. More data, but not enough time to act on it. The 2026 State of Student Transportation Report reveals what transportation leaders say is putting the most pressure on their operations—and where they’re investing next. See how your priorities compare.

Read More →
Graphic reading “Managing Others’ Anger: Keeping Your Cool When Tempers Are High,” alongside a red balloon with an angry face against a stormy background.
Managementby Amanda HuggettSeptember 1, 2026

How to De-Escalate an Angry Person: 5 Steps for Handling Workplace Conflict

What makes emotions run high, and how should you handle an angry colleague or parent? Follow these steps for staying calm, listening, showing empathy, and resolving conflict.

Read More →
Image of happy school children exiting their school bus
SponsoredSeptember 1, 2026

What Readiness Looks Like This School Year

Learn about the challenges shaping the 2026–2027 school year, from persistent driver shortages and budget pressure to technology and readiness gaps. See how school districts are responding and adapting in Zonar’s 2026 Back-to-School Readiness Report.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic for School Bus Fleet’s August 2026 “Changing Lanes” personnel roundup featuring Cameron Nazemzadeh of STA, Jim Wojciechowski Jr. of Summit School Services, Matthew Klein of Zum, Kristen Shaheen of Transit Technologies, and James Hopkins of Cummins Inc.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsAugust 31, 2026

Changing Lanes: Executive Moves at Summit School Services, Zum, STA, Cummins, Transit Technologies, Driventic, & Cadex

See who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and private contractors.

Read More →
A green and white graphic with a black and white image of a new Bendpak facility with text reading "Industry Moves: Companies Expand & Relocate."
Managementby Elora HaynesAugust 27, 2026

Industry Moves: Companies Expand Fleet Service & EV Infrastructure Footprints

The new facilities and regional hubs could mean faster access to shop equipment, charging support, and transportation technology for fleet operators.

Read More →
Cover of a Pro-Vision whitepaper titled “Doing More With Less: A Transportation Director’s Guide to Managing Safety Budget Uncertainty,” featuring school buses, a school transportation scene, and safety technology imagery.
SponsoredAugust 27, 2026

Doing More With Less: How Transportation Directors Can Prioritize Safety Amid Budget Uncertainty

With diesel prices soaring and nearly one-third of transportation directors expecting budget cuts, maintaining student safety has never been more challenging. Download this guide to learn how leading districts are prioritizing risk, funding critical safety technology, and building stronger budget cases with data.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic showing a U.S. map with New York marked alongside the Zum logo and the text “Zum Expands to New York.”
Managementby News/Media ReleaseAugust 24, 2026

Zum Reaches 19 States With New York Expansion

The addition of the Empire State to the student transportation company's roster marks a growing expansion in the Northeast as it scales its tech and school bus services.

Read More →