Marshall Casey, the director for maintenance with the South Carolina Department of Education’s student transportation program, announced today that he will retire on Sept. 14 after a 37-year career with the state agency. But he plans on remaining aligned with the student transportation industry. In addition to being a regular presenter at the STN EXPO, which begins Saturday and runs through Wednesday in Reno, Nev., Casey has served on the NAPT America’s Best School Bus Technician and School Bus Inspector Training and Skills Competition. He said he will remain affiliated with the event, “hopefully forever.” This year’s AmericaÆs Best will be held from Sept. 25–28 at the Cummins Inc. engine plant in Rocky Mount, N.C.
Casey added that he will continue to provide school bus training and presentations, as well as consulting, to the industry.
“I have often said, ‘No one accomplishes anything on their own. There is always someone who offers an opportunity, encouragement and/or support,’” he wrote in an email. “Throughout my career, I have had been blessed by many who did these things. To you, I say thank you. You have helped me enjoy a very rewarding career.”
Casey said he started in the industry as a school bus technician in the mid-1970s with the goal of moving into a dealership technician position. But, he noted, like many in the industry, school buses became a part of his life.
“So often we use the phrase, ‘Bleed Yellow,’ with a lot of truth. Once you become a part of the school transportation industry, school buses become a part of you and the yellow gets into your blood,” Casey said. “While I will miss the day-to-day operations, I will take with me many memories of milestones reached and, most importantly, people met. I will forever remember the friends I have made along the way.”
