As NSTA: The Bus Stop winds down its 6th Anniversary month, Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes a returning guest, Shane Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of Palmer Bus Service, Co-Chair of the Government Relations Committee. He also serves as a member of the NSTA Board of Directors. Shane shares insight from his journey into the student transportation industry and his path to a leadership position at Palmer Bus Service. The duo discuss his recent appointment as Co-Chair of NSTA’s Government Relations Committee, his priorities for advancing advocacy initiatives, and his efforts in working with Rep. Pete Stauber’s office to sponsor the “Brake for Kids” Act. Shane also provides an update on the unique political landscape for school bus contractors to navigate in Minnesota and how state-level advocacy can align with federal efforts in order to strengthen the industry. Switching gears, Shane talks about his own podcast, The Morning Route, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at its growth and direction. Curt asks Shane about his personal interests outside of work, and how these activities help him to stay balanced. Tune in to hear Shane’s perspectives on leadership, advocacy, and storytelling in student transportation. Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop - NSTA Vendor Partners should reach out to us to take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that reaches your target audience - student transportation professionals!

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As we celebrate the 6th Anniversary of NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes back Daoud Chaaya, Vice President of Sales, Aftermarket, and Marketing at Thomas Built Buses (TBB). As the school year kicks off across the country, Daoud shares his insight in student transportation, as we as his own background, updates from Thomas Built Buses, and his observations from NSTA’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Boston. The duo discuss Thomas Built Bus’s sponsorship of the Awards and Installation Dinner, the current industry landscape, key challenges such as tariffs, and notable product updates from Thomas Built Bus. Daoud also shares personal reflections and directs listeners to resources for learning more about the company. Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop - NSTA Vendor Partners should reach out to us to take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that reaches your target audience - student transportation professionals! Check out this episode's advertisement from First Light Safety Products and see if podcast advertising is right for you.

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This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes Brian Rickmann, the Grand Champion of the 2025 NSTA School Bus Driver International Safety Competition. Brian shares his unique journey into school bus driving and offers a glimpse into what it takes to compete — and win — at the highest level. Brian shares what drives his passion behind the wheel, the preparation involved in the competition, and his thoughts on the future of these events. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or new to the industry, Brian’s story is both inspiring and insightful. Tune in to hear directly from the 2025 Type-D (Transit Bus) winner and discover the dedication and skill behind this prestigious award. Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop - NSTA Vendor Partners should reach out to us to take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that reaches your target audience - student transportation professionals!

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This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes first-time guest Charles Chilton, Vice President and General Manager of IC Bus, to the podcast. Charles joins Curt for a wide-ranging conversation about stepping into a leadership role at one of the most recognized names in the school bus industry. He then reflects on his transition into his new position in January and shares key takeaways from his first several months at the helm. With his engineering background, Charles discusses how his technical experience informs his leadership approach and vision for the company. The conversation shifts gears as Charles shares how he finds balance outside of work, including his love of golf. Curt mentions the recent PGA exploits of a fellow Rutgers University alum - Chris Gotterup. Then to wrap things up, Curt and Charles conclude with an interesting conversation into the unique challenges and opportunities of leading an established industry brand - as well as what’s ahead for IC Bus. Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop - NSTA Vendor Partners should reach out to us to take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that reaches your target audience - student transportation professionals!

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This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes returning guest Rich Kelly, Founder and President of RC Kelly Law Associates and NSTA Legal Counsel to the podcast to spotlight the Legal Update session at AMC. Rich and Curt discuss the recent 2025 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention (AMC) schedule and landscape, and they cover the highlights of the event that was recently held in Boston. The duo provide an insider perspective on the evolving world of school transportation contracting, and they cover some emerging trends in contracts. Rich and Curt also focus on factors that impact student transportation contracts, including state laws and regulations, overhead, insurance, and other factors that may impact pricing. They conclude by giving insight into the NSTA Contract Toolkit and Business Counsel Program - benefits only available to NSTA members Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop - NSTA Vendor Partners should reach out to us to take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that reaches your target audience - the private school bus contractor market! Transportation professionals!

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This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes back returning guest Spencer Schiefelbein, Director of Channel Development at REI, a gracious sponsor and strong supporter of NSTA. Spencer starts by giving listeners an overview of REI, its mission, and its evolving role in the student transportation industry. He then shares his personal background, highlighting his journey into the field and the passion that drives his work in ensuring school bus safety. As a key member of NSTA, Spencer reflects on how industry associations like NSTA help companies like REI stay connected, informed, and impactful within the transportation ecosystem. The discussion naturally shifts to technology, where REI always takes the lead. Spencer shares the latest innovations in bus stop safety, spotlighting how cutting-edge tools are reshaping the future of student transportation. With AI making headlines across industries, Spencer dives into how it’s influencing safety tech and transforming day-to-day operations in transportation—enhancing decision-making, efficiency, and real-time responsiveness. The episode wraps up with a timely and complex issue—tariffs. Curt and Spencer provide a grounded look at how current and potential tariffs could affect the school bus sector, from supply chains to pricing, and what stakeholders should be keeping an eye on moving forward.

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This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes first-time guest John Barrington, Executive Director of School Bus Sales for IMMI/SafeGuard, NSTA Podcast Sponsor. John kicks things off by sharing his background in transportation and safety, offering listeners a glimpse into his career path and what led him to his current role at IMMI/SafeGuard. John dives into what sparked his passion for working in safety and protection systems, and gives a high-level overview of IMMI/SafeGuard—highlighting the company's longstanding commitment to innovation and their unique role in the student transportation industry. He outlines what sets IMMI/SafeGuard apart, from industry-leading engineering to their deep focus on saving lives through smart safety solutions. Curt and John discuss the importance of leadership in building a safety-first culture and how that mindset can be transformative for school transportation teams across the country. John shares what keeps him inspired and committed to this critical work. He then offers insightful advice for emerging leaders in safety innovation, emphasizing the value of staying mission-driven, raising the bar, listening to feedback, and always putting student safety at the forefront. John shares what keeps him inspired and committed to this critical work. And to wrap things up, John shares what he looks forward to most at the upcoming 2025 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention. 

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This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes Doug Campbell, Director of Sales and first-time guest Kevin Smith, President and CEO of First Light Safety Products. First Light Safety is a School Bus Driver International Safety Competition and Annual Meeting & Convention sponsor. The trio have in-depth conversation about their backgrounds, professional journeys, and their shared commitment to student transportation safety. Kevin walks us through the founding of First Light Safety Products—how, why, and where it began—and explains the company’s mission to combat illegal school bus passing, a persistent and dangerous issue. He highlights what makes First Light Safety Product’s safety solutions unique, the growing interest from states, school districts, and manufacturers, and shares exciting developments on the horizon, including new products. Doug, a long-time NSTA member, shares why he remains so passionate about student transportation, his reasons for making a major career move, and what key issues still drive him professionally. He also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 51st Edition of the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition, reflecting on its impact and importance in promoting safety excellence across the profession. 

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This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes back incoming NSTA President Patrick Dean, who also serves as president of Dean Transportation. Patrick warms up by celebrating the recent victory of Dean Transportation’s own Betty Nelson, who earned first place in the Conventional Bus (Type C) category at the 2025 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition. He then shares insights into his journey with Dean Transportation and the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) — from getting involved as a young man to now preparing to take the helm as NSTA President at the upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting & Convention in Boston. Curt and Patrick then discuss Dean Transportation's coach bus work with schools and universities, how they got started to now transporting college athletic teams and athletes. Patrick then touches on his experiences with serving on NSTA committees as well as the Board of Directors and how establishing relationships is what continues to better the student transportation industry. Lastly, Patrick and Curt talk about Patrick's time playing as catcher for his college baseball team and Curt's experience working as an umpire, and how the catcher - umpire relationship mirrors many other professional relationships.

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This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop - Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes back NSTA President Dan Kobussen, Owner of Kobussen Buses, for his final podcast as president. Dan takes us through the early days of Kobussen Buses and reflects on his earliest memories in the school bus industry. He then recaps his two-year tenure as NSTA President, highlighting key moments such as the return of the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition, the 2024 Annual Meeting & Convention in Nashville, TN, the 2025 Midwinter Meeting in Maui, HI, and the successes of the NSTA Capitol Hill Bus-In. Curt and Dan also discuss the challenges contractors faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and what effect that time had on the industry. The conversation shifts to key takeaways from the recent NSTA Strategic Planning Session, and Dan highlights how NSTA represents its members at both the federal and local levels and offers ways for listeners to get involved and support the association. The episode concludes with Dan sharing his vision for the future of student transportation.

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