Biography ~ At Large Delegate
Blake Krapf

BLAKE KRAPF, Chief Executive Officer for the Krapf Bus Companies, through hard work and dedication has had the opportunity to experience all facets of the bus industry. Growing up, Blake held many positions during the summer, after school and on weekends. Starting out by washing and cleaning buses, he worked his way up by learning about and working on the mechanics of the vehicles. During his high school years at Downingtown Area High, he would perform general maintenance, basic bodywork and mechanical repairs after school. Shortly after graduating, he acquired his CDL license and drove his first trips and school bus routes.

In the years 1988 through 1992, Blake attended Skidmore College and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in business and economics. He was a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an International Honor Society in Economics. He also became a member of the school's Crew team and in 1991 became their Captain. During school breaks and summer, Blake continued his education in bus maintenance and repairs. He also began learning the other aspects of the business. After graduating, he accepted the position of Nighttime Supervisor and Bus Driver at Telluride Transit located in Telluride, Colorado. Included in the many responsibilities of the position was to resolve any bus breakdowns or similar situations that occurred during this shift. Working in this capacity was a proverbial springboard to his future at Krapf's. Also during this time, Blake was employed by Telluride Outside as a white water rafting guide and safety, rescue and guide trainer. This is where he began to fine-tune the skill of customer relations.

Blake moved back to Eastern Pennsylvania in 1994 and began his career at the Krapf Bus Companies. He became a Supervisor of School Buses at George Krapf Jr. and Sons, Inc. His position operated under contract with two local school districts - Downingtown Area and Great Valley with a combined fleet of 135 + buses. He was the liaison between drivers and school district administrators, principals, parents, students and fellow employees. At the time, the company had a 600 unit mobile phone system which Blake monitored and maintained. Dispatching, payroll tracking and reporting were also part of this supervisory position. In accordance with the school districts' contracts, the revision, justifying and review of school bus routes was performed. Blake continued to hold this position until 1999. Moving forward, through his hard work and knowledge of the business, he was promoted to the position of Vice President, School Bus Division, in that year.

As Vice President of the school bus operations, Blake held a wide range of responsibilities. Included in these were overseeing Fleet Maintenance, recruiting & training of drivers, all daily operations, managing driver supervisors, budget preparation, monthly billing, financial reporting, preparation of transportation bids and assisting in contract negotiations. In April of 2004, Blake was promoted to COO of the Krapf Bus Companies. This newly adopted position brought with it many responsibilities and challenges. Some of his new responsibilities included overseeing the daily operations for all of the divisions within the Krapf Bus Companies, overseeing the Human Resource department and the Risk Management department, and held more authority to negotiate contracts and pursue new business opportunities. This promotion had also allowed Blake to gain a better understanding of the Charter, Transit, and Para Transit divisions within the Krapf Bus Companies.

Currently, Blake is Chief Executive Officer for the Krapf Bus Companies and President of George Krapf Jr. & Sons, Inc. He was voted into these positions in the spring of this year, 2006.

Blake is an active member of PSBA (Pennsylvania School Bus Association), NSTA (National School Transportation Association) and PASBO (Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials). He is also a committee member of the NSTA Regulatory Subcommittee and PASBO Transportation Committee, as well as a board member for PSBA and co-chair of PSBA's Safety Committee. In addition to his professional pursuits, Blake is also active in his local community. From 1996 through 2002 he was a member of the board for the Lionville Community YMCA and Chairperson of their Membership Committee. Within the last few years, he became involved with the local chapter of the United Way in the "Chester County Leadership Connection "program, and serves on the board of CAPP (Coatesville Area Partners for Progress). Most of all, Blake enjoys spending his free time with his wife and their two young children.