WARRENVILLE, Ill. — Durham School Services, a leader in student transportation, earned several special recognition awards at the National Student Transportation Association Annual Meeting and Convention in Baltimore, Md., July 16-20, 2011. The goal of NSTA is to promote greater safety and more professional transportation service throughout the industry.
Golden Merit Award
Scott Bruegge, Midwest regional manager for Durham School Services, and Carina Noble, vice president of communications and marketing at Durham, each received the prestigious Golden Merit Award. This award recognizes excellence in service, safety and outstanding demonstration of community responsibility. Only ten such awards are given each year. Bruegge has worked in school transportation for 20 years and has served as a judge for multiple driver safety competitions and is a certified driver trainer. Noble, who has worked with Durham for ten years, enhanced customer service and support by implementing Durham’s customer relationship management system. She also has been instrumental in organizing activities at Durham locations across the U.S. in support of the Special Olympics.
Green School Bus Fleet Certification
The NSTA Green School Bus Fleet Certification is the only program of its kind to recognize school transportation companies for providing environmentally responsible transportation through the use of new technologies and those that meet EPA/CARB standards. It also is the only program in the industry to be endorsed by the EPA Clean School Bus USA program. Six Gold-level Green School Bus Fleet Certifications were awarded; two of them went to Durham School Services fleets in Milwaukee, Wis., and Santa Ana, Calif., for their use of reduced-emissions technologies, alternative fuels and fuel conservation techniques.
41st Annual School Bus Driver International Safety Competition
Albert Black, from in Beaufort, S.C., and Nelven Smith, from Topeka, Kans., both competed in this year’s driver safety competition. The National School Transportation Association holds this annual event to highlight the safe practices and driving skill of school bus drivers. To qualify for the international competition, drivers first must earn top placements in their state/province competition.
Thomas Built Buses, Inc., Continuing Education and Professional Growth Grant
To further the professional and business education of those working in contract pupil transportation, school bus manufacturer Thomas Built Buses, Inc., offers a $2,500 grant to a NSTA member for continuing education. Only one award is presented each year and this year, Durham School Services training specialist Kimberly Isley is the recipient.
“We are so proud of our showing at this year’s NSTA awards,” said David Duke, CEO of Durham School Services, who recently was appointed to the NSTA board as an at-large representative. “Being recognized for our accomplishments in safety, customer service, employee development, and community and environmental responsibility is especially gratifying. These are all areas supported by our company Values which drive our actions as an organization. We will continue to focus on initiatives that promote these primary company values.”
“I also would like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of NSTA for furthering the safety and efficiency standards of school buses and continuing to promote the numerous benefits of riding a yellow bus,” said Duke.
