Tech, inspector named ‘America’s Best’

PEORIA, Ill. — A school bus inspector from North Carolina and a technician from Utah earned the title “America’s Best” in their respective fields....

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

August 9, 2007

1 min to read

PEORIA, Ill. — A school bus inspector from North Carolina and a technician from Utah earned the title “America’s Best” in their respective fields.

Inspector Danny Reed of the Beaufort County School District in Washington, N.C., and technician Chris Wright of the Nebo School District in Salem, Utah, came out on top in the annual competition.

This year’s event was held at Caterpillar’s engine plant in Peoria on Aug. 2 and 3. The NAPT arranges the event, while Bus Parts Warehouse and Zonar Systems sponsor it.

Here are the top three contenders in each category:

Inspectors
1. Danny Reed, Beaufort County School District, Washington, N.C.
2. Bryce Ivie, Utah Highway Patrol, Salt Lake City
3. Jeff Pihl, Douglas County School District, Castle Rock, Colo.

Technicians
1. Chris Wright, Nebo School District, Salem, Utah
2. Gail Wayne Allison, Center Grove Community School Corp., Greenwood, Ind.
3. Brian Lange, Cheney (Wash.) Public Schools

Topics:Safety

More Safety

A close up detail of the back of a school bus with text reading "Insight From 10 Years of NHTSA Data."

Safety•by Elora Haynes•July 22, 2026

NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes

The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.

Safety•by Amanda Huggett•July 21, 2026

2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing

New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.

Safety•by Staff and News Reports•July 9, 2026

Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York

A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.

School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test."

Safety•by Staff and News Reports•June 30, 2026

NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners

Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.