CINCINNATI — First Student recently presented its inaugural Presidential Awards of Excellence to the company’s top performing contract and regional managers. The company recognized the select group of managers who rated best-in-class in safety, customer service and overall performance categories.
“Our managers have shown a tremendous commitment to adhering to our core value of safety and to the high standards we’ve established in providing outstanding service to our customers,” said Linda Burtwistle, president of First Student. “I am proud to present the Presidential Awards of Excellence to the managers in both the U.S. and Canada who have demonstrated the absolute best in service and safety as they are an integral part of our company’s success.”
The Presidential Awards of Excellence Region Manager of the Year Award is presented to the manager in each region with the best overall performance as determined by the region staff. The inaugural recipients of the award are:
- East Region: Lucille Ayotte, Conn.
- Central Region: Norman Mars, Ill.
- West Region: Van Criddle, Ore., Utah and Colo.
- Canada: Garry Gosling, Ontario
The Safety Presidential Award of Excellence for best overall region manager safety performance was awarded to:
- East Region: Dave Kinley, N.Y.
- Central Region: Tim Stieber, Hodgkins, Ill. and Ind.
- West Region: Van Criddle, Ore., Utah and Colo.
- Canada: Garry Gosling, Ontario
The Customer Service Presidential Award of Excellence for region managers, as determined by senior management and results of each region’s customer survey, was presented to:
- East Region: Gig Michaud, Mass. and N.H.
- Central Region: Bob Rutkoski, Ill.
- West Region: Dan Muehlbauer, Minn. and Iowa
- Canada: Michel Larocque, Quebec
Additionally, First Student presented awards to contract managers in each region’s divisions who displayed excellence in overall performance, safety and customer service. Out of First Student’s approximately 600 locations, the company recognized 47 managers for outstanding customer service, 40 for top safety marks and 46 managers for top overall performance.
