BOSTON — The National School Transportation Association honored leaders in private school bus contracting during its annual awards and installation dinner at The Westin Copley Place.
The July 22 dinner, part of the association’s 2025 annual meeting and convention, recognized individuals and companies for their contributions to safety, service, environmental stewardship, and innovation in the student transportation industry.
“It’s an honor to recognize this year’s award recipients. Their dedication has had a lasting impact on both NSTA and the broader student transportation industry,” said outgoing NSTA President Dan Kobussen. “We’re grateful for their commitment to advancing safe, reliable, and efficient school transportation.”
Golden Merit Awards, established in 1969 to recognize excellence in service, safety, and community responsibility, were presented to Kevin Kilner of Beacon Mobility; Glenn Brayman of First Student; Melissa Castle of Mid-Columbia Bus Company; Michelle Harpenau of Durham School Services; David Kinley of Student Transportation of America; and Barbie Stucker of Big Sky Bus Lines.
The Go Yellow, Go Green Award, which has honored environmental leadership since 2008, went to First Student of Cincinnati.
The Committee Member of the Year Award was presented to Tim Weaverling of Keystone-RWR in Bedford, Pennsylvania, while the Committee Chair of the Year Award went to John Benjamin of Benjamin Buses in Northfield, Minnesota.
The Vendor Partner of the Year Award was given to Wells Fargo Equipment Finance and Lee Edwards of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for contributions to industry initiatives.
The Innovator Award, presented by School Transportation News, was awarded to Gaurav Sharda, chief technology officer at Beacon Mobility, for advancements in technology, operations, safety, and green energy.
Suffolk Transportation Service of Bayshore, New York, received the Contractor of the Year Award for service excellence, company culture, and leadership.
The Outstanding Driver Service Award, given in partnership with School Bus Fleet, went to Kilra Hylton of Transaction Associates; Duane Versteegh of School Bus Inc.; Jeffery Flitcraft of B.R. Williams; Linda Caudillo of Mid-Columbia Bus Company; and Becky Williams of Dousman Transport Company.
Carina Noble of Durham School Services in Lisle, Illinois, was inducted into the NSTA Hall of Fame for long-term contributions to student transportation.
Nominations for the 2026 awards program open in January.
