NEW YORK — The New York School Bus Contractors Association (NYSBCA) presented their 2017 industry safety and service awards during the association’s 63rd annual convention held October 13-15 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lake George, N.Y.
“During our annual convention school transportation professionals from all over New York gather together to learn about school bus safety, security, technology, and pending regulations, along with the latest industry innovations and best practices,” said New York School Bus Contractors Association President, Bree Allen. “It also allows us to recognize and honor the people who propel our industry forward with an unmatched commitment to student safety and exceptional service to our school districts and communities”.
The New York School Bus Contractors Association presented the following awards this year; Contractor of the Year, Distinguished Service Award and the Heart of the Industry Award.
The Contractor of the Year Award is the association’s highest honor and presented to a contractor who, along with having an exceptional safety and performance record, has superior maintenance and training programs, and is deeply involved with their local communities.
This year’s Contractor of the Year Award went to Robert Pape, Partner and Secretary/Treasurer of Dell Transportation.
From his start with Hendrickson Bus Corporation, to serving as the Director of Transportation for Lawrence Public Schools, to his current position with Dell Transportation in Port Washington, New York, Pape has been a leading authority on student transportation for over 40 years.
“My father always told me there is no greater award than that of one bestowed upon you by your peers and receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” said Robert Pape, Partner and Secretary/Treasurer of Dell Transportation. “I have been blessed with fantastic support staff and family, and I share this award with all of them. Behind every successful man is a supportive woman, and for me that is my wonderful wife, Judy, who made this award possible and all my success more enjoyable.”
Pape was past President for the National Association for Pupil Transportation and Finance Chair for the National School Transportation Association. A founding member and first President for both the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute and National Association for Pupil Transportation Foundation, he also received the Art Shock Award from the New York Association for Pupil Transportation, its highest honor.
“Robert Pape is one of the most experienced student transportation professionals in the country and his top priority has always been the safety of the children who ride our buses,” said Allen. “Throughout his entire career, including his service on the New York School Bus Contractors Association board and as its past president, Robert’s passion and commitment to safe school transportation has been inspirational. He is a mentor and a friend, a powerful voice in our industry, and its conscience. We are deeply honored to present him with the Contractor of the Year Award.”
The winner of the Contractor of the Year Award is also honored with The Roger Weeks Scholarship Award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship made to the Contractor of the Year Award winner’s school district of choice. Pape, along with John Corrado, President of Suffolk Transportation Service, were also named Lifetime Honorary Members of the New York School Bus Contractors Association.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to the person, or persons, who have demonstrated an unmatched commitment to the association’s mission to provide the safest, most reliable and cost-effective student transportation possible.
This year’s Distinguished Service Award recipients are former New York State Pupil Transportation Director, Mary Sansaricq, and Nestor Zaragoza, President and CEO of Nesco Bus Sales and Service.
Accepting the award on behalf of Mary Sansaricq, who passed away unexpectedly in September, were her husband, Ralph, and son Robert Sansaricq.
The Heart of the Industry Award honors an industry employee who, through the course of their job performance, has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving other people’s lives and who has gone above and beyond to accomplish that goal.
The association gives out two Heart of the Industry Awards; one to an “on-road” employee and the other to an “off-road” employee. The awards are sponsored by Factory Direct Bus Sales, and were presented by the owner of Factory Direct Bus Sales, Rick Reichenbach.
This year’s NYSBCA On-Road Heart of the Industry Award went to Maureen Moore, Driver for West Point Tours, and this year’s Off-Road award winner is the President of Golden Sun Bus Service, Patrick Kinane.
“Our award recipients have all demonstrated a commitment and passion for safe school transportation that set the standard for the entire industry,” concluded Allen. “Their professionalism and service to their communities, school districts and transportation partners, is something everyone involved with school transportation should strive to match. We are thrilled to honor them with these awards and celebrate their many accomplishments along with their co-workers, family and friends.”
Photo Captions — All photos were taken at the NYSBCA’s 63rd Annual Convention held October 13-15 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lake George, New York):
- NYSBCA Contractor of the Year, Robert Pape and his wife, Judy.
- (from L to R) – NYSBCA Board Member and President of Huntington Coach, Kevin Clifford, NYSBCA Contractor of the Year, Robert Pape and NYSBCA Board Member, Corey Muirhead of Logan Bus Company.
- (from L to R) – Heart of the Industry Award Winner (on road) Maureen Moore of West Point Tours and owner of Factory Direct Bus Sales, Rick Reichenbach.
- (from L to R) Owner of Factory Direct Bus Sales, Rick Reichenbach, Heart of the Industry Award Winner (off road) and President of Golden Sun Bus Service, Patrick Kinane, and NYBCA Board Member Corey Muirhead of Logan Bus Company.
- (from L to R) – NYSBCA President, Bree Allen with Distinguished Service Award recipient, Nestor Zaragoza, President and CEO of Nesco Bus Sales and Service.
- (from L to R) – Ralph Sansaricq, husband of Mary Sansaricq, NYSBCA Board Member, Paul Mori of Hendrickson Bus Company, and Robert Sansaricq, son of Mary Sansaricq.
About NYSBCA
The New York School Bus Contractors Association is an organization representing over 100 school transportation companies, also known as school bus contractors. The industry transports more than half of all the children who ride a school bus to and from school each day. The association’s primary mission is to promote safe, reliable and cost-effective student transportation services for New York’s school children. www.nysbca.com
