SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Transit Technologies Announces New Executive Appointments

The Bytecurve and busHive parent company has multiple new faces on its executive team as the company focuses on AI platform growth.

School Bus Fleet leadership update graphic featuring Transit Technologies and headshots of Lisa Horkins, Nunu Dueman Yates, Michael Lei, Srithal Bellary, and Cristina Wheless.
Credit:

Transit Technologies/School Bus Fleet

5 min to read


Transit Technologies, a software solutions provider, has announced numerous new executive team appointments over the last three months as the company expands its market presence, invests in AI-driven capabilities and platform innovation, and pursues strategic acquisitions to meet growing demand.

Last January, the company named Brian Mann general manager of Bytecurve and busHive, which was previously held by GP Singh, founder of Bytecurve. Transit Technologies acquired busHive in March 2025 and Bytecurve in August 2024.

Ad Loading...

The new appointments are:

  • Lisa Horkins, Chief Financial Officer
  • Nurcan (Nunu) Dueman Yates, Chief Product Officer
  • Michael Lei, VP of Hardware Solutions
  • Srithal Bellary, Chief Technology, Data & AI Officer
  • Cristina Wheless, Chief Operating Officer

Lisa Horkins Joins as Chief Financial Officer

Lisa Horkins brings deep experience in scaling finance organizations within high-growth technology companies to her new role at Transit Technologies following leadership roles at Flipp and Mitratech. She began her career in public accounting at Ernst & Young.

Her expertise spans financial planning and analysis, forecasting, financial systems, and organizational leadership, with a strong track record of building disciplined, scalable finance operations that enable sustainable growth.

At Transit Technologies, Horkins will lead all finance functions across the company's expanding portfolio of mobility and transportation solutions, partnering closely across the organization to support innovation, strategic investment, and long-term value creation.

Ad Loading...

"Transit Technologies has built a strong solution and is at a pivotal moment in its growth journey," said Lisa. "I'm excited to join the team and help drive the next chapter through strong financial partnership, operational excellence, and disciplined execution."

Horkins succeeds James Hajek, who served as CFO for five years and played a key role in guiding the company through 12 acquisitions, a recapitalization with PSG Equity, and multiple complex financial transactions.

Nurcan (Nunu) Dueman Yates Promoted to Chief Product Officer

Nurcan (Nunu) Dueman Yates has also been promoted to chief product officer (CPO). In her new role, Dueman Yates will oversee product, marketing, and RFP, aligning these functions to accelerate innovation, strengthen market positioning, and enhance go-to-market execution.

Over the past year, Dueman Yates has strengthened Transit Technologies' product organization by establishing structured workflows, improving collaboration, and aligning product strategy with client needs and measurable outcomes, positioning the company to accelerate innovation and deliver next-generation mobility solutions.

She brings more than 15 years of experience driving product innovation, digital transformation, and technology-led growth, having held executive roles in Germany and the United States, building and scaling technology organizations across international markets.

Ad Loading...

Prior to joining Transit Technologies, she served as head of product at Werner Enterprises, where she led innovation across the company's digital product portfolio and was recognized by Heavy Duty Trucking magazine as an "Emerging Leader."

Earlier in her career, she spent nearly a decade in Germany with the Albert Bauer agency group, leading its POS experience and digital signage business.

Michael Lei Appointed Vice President of Hardware Solutions

Last February, Michael Lei joined the company as vice president of hardware solutions.

In this role, Lei will lead the company's hardware strategy, product innovation, and execution across transit, telematics, and connected mobility solutions. Lei brings more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning IoT, vehicle telematics, telecommunications, and enterprise hardware platforms. He has a proven track record of delivering customer-centric innovation at scale, including launching multiple next-generation hardware portfolios, optimizing global SKUs, and supporting over $1B in recurring revenue across hardware-enabled SaaS businesses

Prior to joining Transit Technologies, Lei held senior leadership roles at Samsara, Teletrac Navman, Spirent Communications, SpotOn, and Juniper Networks. His work has resulted in award-winning products, significant cost reductions, and global deployments exceeding 1 nmillion units annually.

Ad Loading...

At Transit Technologies, Lei will focus on scaling hardware platforms, strengthening vendor and partner ecosystems, and aligning hardware strategy with the company's broader mission to deliver reliable, enterprise-grade solutions for public and private transit customers.

Lei holds a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech, a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Penn State, and executive education credentials from Harvard Business School. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and holds multiple industry certifications, including Certified Scrum Product Owner.

Srithal Bellary Joins as Chief Technology, Data & AI Officer

Srithal joins the team to lead the company's end-to-end technology, data, and artificial intelligence strategy.

He will be responsible for driving the evolution of Transit Technologies' AI-first platform strategy, bringing together architecture, engineering, data, analytics, cybersecurity, and product innovation.

His mandate includes unifying and modernizing the company's portfolio of solutions, including TripShot, TripMaster, ByteCurve, and busHive, into an intelligent, connected platform that enables safer, more efficient, and more personalized experiences.

Ad Loading...

Srithal brings more than two decades of experience leading large-scale technology and data transformations across regulated and high-complexity domains, including healthcare, payroll, benefits, and the public sector. He has held senior engineering and product leadership roles at CVS Health, ADP, Mercer, and Public Partnerships (PPL), where he led enterprise modernization efforts, built scalable data platforms, and implemented systems that improved operational efficiency and user experience at scale.

"My focus has always been on using data, and platform thinking to simplify complexity and unlock new value," said Srithal. "Transportation is at a pivotal moment. By converging systems, embedding intelligence, and designing scale, we have an opportunity to fundamentally transform how agencies operate and how riders experience mobility. I'm excited to help Transit Technologies lead that transformation."

Under Srithal's leadership, Transit Technologies will continue investing in predictive analytics, automation, connected systems, and self-learning platforms, building an intelligent mobility network that adapts in real time and scales with the evolving needs of cities and communities.

Cristina Wheless Appointed Chief Operating Officer

Cristina Wheless, new COO as of Jan. 29, is a seasoned executive with deep expertise in scaling transportation technology companies. She joins Transit Technologies following her tenure as president of AssetWorks and as an international portfolio COO, driving significant growth and M&A initiatives for Constellation Software.

Wheless brings over 20 years of experience leading operations, integrating acquisitions, and transforming tech-driven companies for scale. Her leadership at AssetWorks was marked by strategic expansion and operational excellence.

Ad Loading...

At Transit Technologies, Wheless will oversee operations across the company's suite of transportation solutions, supporting its mission to help cities and agencies modernize infrastructure and better serve their communities.

"Transit Technologies is at the forefront of revolutionizing mobility for all," said Cristina Wheless, COO. "I'm excited to join this innovative team and help scale our impact through strategic growth, operational excellence, and client-focused execution."


More Management

photo of a woman seated at a desk talking to a man, looking at a tablet
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 29, 2026

IC Bus Introduces ‘My International’ to Connect Fleet Vehicles, Data, and Service

Available on desktop or mobile, the digital ecosystem brings fleet monitoring, service management, vehicle insights, and dealer communication into a single interface.

Read More →
A graphic with an image of a school bus's rear bumper, a Transfinder logo, and text reading "More District Installs Across the U.S."
Managementby StaffApril 29, 2026

More Districts Tap Transfinder for Routing, Tracking, and Communication Tools

See which users in Illinois, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are adopting Transfinder’s routing, tracking, and parent apps.

Read More →
Sonim XP5plus 5G rugged mobile radio device on orange background labeled “New Product,” highlighting push-to-talk communication and durability for school bus fleet operations.
ManagementApril 28, 2026

AT&T, Sonim Launch XP5plus 5G LMR Device for School Bus Fleets

The new radio combines durability, push-to-talk, and FirstNet connectivity, offering a cost-effective communication solution for fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
EverDriven graphic over a mountain landscape highlighting high caregiver trust and Washington State milestone, emphasizing student transportation safety, reliability, and service growth.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 23, 2026

EverDriven Celebrates Milestones in Washington; Caregiver Trust Tops 80%

EverDriven marks 18 years and 17 million miles in the Evergreen state while new data shows 8 in 10 caregivers would recommend its student transportation solution.

Read More →
A woman holds a tablet and waves at children disembarking a school bus.
Managementby StaffApril 21, 2026

Zum Raises $100 Million, Cites ‘Transportation Anxiety Crisis’ in New Research

New funding and national research highlight student transportation challenges as Zum looks to scale its Connected Mobility Experience platform nationwide.

Read More →
a line of pro-vision employees stand in front of branded company vans
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 21, 2026

Pro-Vision Video Installs Now Backed by MECP-Certified Techs

The certification validates expertise in complex vehicle technology installations, making it the first fleet video solutions provider to achieve the milestone.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue, white, and black graphic with text reading "Using AI in School Transport."
ManagementApril 20, 2026

From Overwhelmed to Optimized: How AI Is Transforming School Transportation Leadership

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming one of the most practical tools in today’s transportation office. Here’s how it is improving parent communication, board reporting, training development, and overall efficiency — without replacing professional judgment.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredApril 20, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.

Read More →
The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
ManagementApril 17, 2026

Passion, Purpose, and Positivity: Lessons from an Award-Winning Transportation Leader

North Clackamas Schools' Kathy Calkins shares how positivity, relationships, and hands-on leadership transforms teams in this episode of The Route.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Transfinder promotional graphic featuring “P.A.Y.S. – Pay As You Save” surrounded by icons of school transportation operations (bus, maps, calendar, clock, documents, and money), with tagline about saving time, money, and headaches in school transportation.
SponsoredApril 16, 2026

How Transfinder Technology P.A.Y.S. (Pays as You Save) Saving Time, Money and Headaches in School Transportation Operations

Transportation leaders say when their districts implemented Transfinder's AI enhanced logistics technology, it paid for itself in financial savings, time savings and operational headache reductions (OHR). In this white paper transportation experts share specific ways they have experienced how Transfinder P.A.Y.S. (Pay As You Save) off. Each, in their own way, said transportation technology is not simply a software purchase — it’s a strategic investment in operational efficiency, cost containment and staff satisfaction.

Read More →