NATIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION - Making Student Transportation Safe, Secure, Efficient and Affordable For Our Nation's Children

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2009 Award Winners

Golden Merit Award
	Gary Catapano \| First Student Inc. \| Cincinnati, OH As the Senior Vice-President of Safety for First Student. Gary is responsible for the safety of the school bus operations in North America which involves over 71,000 employees operating from 700 locations in the US and Canada. Gary also is the chair of First Americas Safety Council which provides a safety review function for all First America companies which include First Student, First Transit, Greyhound and First Vehicle Services.

Paula Heinowski \| Dousman Transport Co., \| Dousman, WI Paula Heinowski is the North Prairie Terminal Manager at Dousman Transport, and has worked at Dousman for many years, serving in several different roles, but always as an integral part to the Dousman team. Paula is also active in putting together the Driver Booklet each year for the International School Bus Driver Safety Competition hosted by NSTA. When she’s not busy at work, Paula likes to participate in various charitable events in her community	.

Helen Schwabacher | Chestnut Ridge Transportation, Inc. | Spring Valley, NY

Helen Schwabacher serves as the Regional Vice President of Operations for Chestnut Ridge Transportation, where her leadership and vision has helped Chestnut Ridge Transportation maintain their excellent service and safety records.

Helen listens closely and respectively to all points of view, and makes the most informed decisions in all transportation matters. Not only is she concerned about the safety of the children, but is also fiercely supportive of the bus drivers, recognizing that they are the backbone of the industry. Helen’s conscientious and professional demeanor makes her a true pleasure to work with. Her active involvement in her local and state associations has helped to make the school transportation industry a safer place. Her caring and confident nature inspires all who are around her to uphold the highest standards for the industry.

Brian Shuldberg | Durham School Services | Fort Worth, TX

Brian Shuldberg is Vice President of Driver Care for Durham School Services, Fort Worth. Brian has been with Durham School Services for ten years, where he has always played a crucial role in areas of safety and training.

Brian can be counted on to handle each and every situation with professionalism and care, paying attention to even the smallest detail. The school districts he serves are always happy to work with him because they can count on him for a job well done. Brian has actively participated in the American School Bus Council’s “Love the Bus” program, to recognize the school bus drivers who go above and beyond the call of duty to transport children safely each day. Brian’s leadership in his career and community epitomizes service, safety, and outstanding responsibility.

	Mark Thompson \| Durham School Services \| Princeton, MO Mark Thompson is the Area General Manager for Durham School Services, where he oversees multiple contracts for rural and suburban schools in Northern Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. His hard work and efforts have let to the conversion of 3 school districts to contracted services within the last 5 years. Mark’s professionalism and knowledge of the industry has been a great asset to Durham School Services over the past 11 years. He has worked with school districts and other contractors in Missouri to better the quality of student transportation across the state. He is involved with all aspects of the transportation process, including safety, funding, bus standards, and legislative restraints. Mark’s achievements have been recognized through numerous Fleet Excellence Awards with the Missouri Highway Patrol and Department of Education, as well as recognition for the Safety Honor Roll – A Team at Durham School Services.

Hall of Fame Award
	Carey Paster \| First Student, Inc. \| Hingham, MA Carey Paster is currently the President and CEO of Commercial Development at FirstGroup America. Carey has dedicated many years leading First Student and facilitating his company’s support of NSTA through invaluable resources and insight into our industry. During Carey’s tenure at First Student, First has provided significant financial resources to NSTA, as well as human resources for NSTA committees, and provided buses and personnel for the annual International School Bus Driver Safety Competition.
Distinguished Service Award
	George W. (Bill) Beck \| Beck Bus Transportation \| Mt. Vernon, IL George W. (Bill) Beck is the 3rd generation leader and CEO of Beck Bus Transportation, out of Mount Vernon, Illinois and has over 30 years of experience in the transportation business. He works closely with his sons Ed and Tom, who share his enthusiasm for school transportation. Over the course of his 30 years in the business, Bill has had experience with all aspects of administration and operation, and stays active with both the Illinois School Transportation as well as NSTA.

Thomas Built Buses Continuing Education Grant
	Stephanie Paquette \| Durham School Services \| Albany, NY Stephanie Paquette is currently pursuing her degree in Business Administration at Hudson Valley Community College while also working at Durham School Services, Albany as their Human Resources Administrator. Stephanie has been with Durham School Services since September 2007, where she is the sole HR recruiter for Durham’s Albany, Troy, and Schenectady locations. In addition to recruiting school bus drivers, monitors, and office staff, she also has an extensive knowledge of labor laws, workforce development, and employee relations. She has also networked with Well Care, Healthy NY, Family Health Care Plus, and multiple cancer service programs to offer Durham employees the health care they need and can afford.

School Bus Fleet's Contractor of the Year
	Tim Flood \| The Trans Group, LLC \| Spring Valley, NY Tim Flood, the Executive Vice President of The Trans Group, LLC, has been named SCHOOL BUS FLEET’s 2009 Contractor of the Year. He is the 42nd recipient of the annual award, which recognizes a contractor who has worked at the local, state and national levels for the betterment of school transportation. Tim is certified as a New York State Education Department, School Bus Driver Instructor and a NYS Point/Insurance Reduction Program Instructor.

Meritorious Service Award
	Frank DiGiacomo \| School Bus Fleet \| New Jersey Frank DiGiacomo is Publisher for School Bus Fleet magazine. School Bus Fleet publishes how-to management and maintenance articles, analysis of regulatory developments, coverage of school bus commerce, and exclusive research material, including the Top 100 School District Fleets and Top 50 Contractor Fleets. Frank was promoted to Publisher of School Bus Fleet in 1992, previously holding the position of Eastern Sales Manager. Soon after being promoted to Publisher, Frank was quick to jump on the internet bandwagon, starting the Schoolbusfleet.com website. In more recent years, Frank has developed a special Contractor Central section on the SBF website, and is also recognized for establishing the “Green Fleets Across America” report that SBF publishes each year.