In recognition of his dedication to student transportation and leadership in the industry, Newport-Mesa Unified Transportation Director Pete Meslin was awarded the 2016 Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence at this year’s STN EXPO in Reno, Nevada.
Meslin, a lifelong advocate for students with disabilities, was honored for his ‘Bus in the Classroom’ program, which builds the groundwork for special needs children to ride various methods of transportation they will encounter throughout their lives.
Named for the late Peter J. Grandolfo, the award goes to an industry member who, like Grandolfo, displays a love and dedication to safe and efficient school transportation, as well as a person who serves as a mentor to those associated with the profession. Grandolfo was a director of transportation for Chicago Public Schools and a board member for the National Association for Pupil Transportation as well as a sought-after industry trainer and presenter, especially on topics related to transporting students with disabilities.
Like previous award winners, Meslin has showcased integrity, devotion to furthering education and learning, humanitarianism and out-of-the-box thinking throughout his career in Southern California.
The award was sponsored by Q’Straint/SURE-Lok and presented by James “Bud” Fears and Linda Grandolfo, the widow of Peter Grandolfo.
