School Transportation News and the Propane Education and Research Council present an overview of propane-fueled school buses and the impact that they have had on communities around the country — and on districts’ bottom line.
Hear from three school transportation directors on the environmental and economic benefits that they have experienced as they’ve introduced clean-burning, cost-reducing propane vehicles into their fleets.
Additionally, Stephen Whaley, PERC’S director of autogas business development, answers questions about propane autogas technology, infrastructure, and how to get started.
Presented by the Propane Education & Research Council.
The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs, and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.
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Presenters:
Shay Coates
Director of Transportation
Newport News Public Schools (Va.)
Coates began his career in pupil transportation at Newport News Public Schools in Virginia, in September 2013. He started out a Supervisor II for the transportation department and quickly rose to director of transportation in September of 2014 and has served in that capacity ever since. NNPS school district is made up of 42 schools and the transportation department transports over 24,000 students.
Coates is from Baltimore, Maryland and currently resides in Williamsburg, Virginia. He graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s College in and 1993 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. Coates spent 20 years in the U.S. Army as a Transportation/Logistics Officer, retiring in 2013 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his military career, Coates served in many parts of the US, as well as South Korea, Germany, Iraq and Kuwait. While in the military, he earned his Master’s Degree in Management from Webster University.
Kayne Smith
Director of Transportation Services
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (Texas)
Located northwest of Houston, Texas, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is the third largest district in Texas and the largest student transporter, providing bus service to 85,000 students daily. Smith is also the past president of the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation (TAPT) and has served as the legislative committee chairperson for TAPT since 2015.
Amy Rosa
Director of School Safety and Transportation
Wa-Nee Community School Corporation (Ind.)
Rosa has served in the school bus transportation industry for over 20 years and is currently experiencing the bliss of her 16th school year as the transportation director. She says, “It is a privilege to participate in student education through transportation, and working for the school bus drivers, who daily elevate the industry with their commitment to students and safety, is an honor.”
Although Rosa is fully committed to the school bus industry, grandchildren Lydia, age 2, and Jackson, age 9 months, are vying for her full-time attention. While they are not offering compensation, the benefits package is tempting.
Stephen Whaley
Director of Autogas Business Development
Propane Education and Research Council
As the chief architect of the over-the-road market portfolio, Whaley is responsible for maximizing propane autogas gallon sales in the on-highway light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle markets. He works with the Sr. VP of Business Development on establishing business plans, including strategies and tactics. Stephen focuses on new product research and development, product launches, maintenance and growth in existing market segments, and potential new market development opportunities.
