TAA Annual Conference

Monday, 17 June 2024 3:00 PM - Thursday, 20 June 2024 11:30 AM MST

2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, United States

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Registration

Regular Annual Conference Registration Partial Approval - $455.00

Sale ends on 05/31/2024

Regular Annual Conference registration: $50 annual membership, $390, conference, $15 processing fee

Not on sale yet

Late Conference Registration Partial Approval - $482.00

Not on sale until 06/01/2024

Price includes $50 annual membership, $415 annual conference, $17 processing

Wednesday Only - Vendor/Trade Show Attendee Partial Approval - $175.00

Sale ends on 06/20/2024

Ticket includes annual membership $50, Trade Show & Bus Showcase, $110, processing fee $15

Annual Conference - Lifetime Member Partial Approval - $315.00

Sale ends on 06/20/2024

Annual Conference $300, processing fee $15 A lifetime member is any member who meets one of the following criteria: a. has served as President of the Association b. was an active member for 15 years and retired from the field of student transportation c. was an active member for 10 years and served at least one term as a Board member of the Association

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Monday, 17 June 2024 3:00 PM - Thursday, 20 June 2024 11:30 AM MST

Little America, 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004, United States.

Annual Conference for Transportation Administrators of Arizona.

Join us in the cool pines of Flagstaff for our annual conference and trade show. 

Cancellation policy

Full refund (minus processing fees) is available through May 31. 

Partial refunds of cancelled registration are as follows:

June 1 - June 14, cancellation fee is $100 (plus processing fees) 

No refunds will be issued after June 14th.

Transportation Administrators of Arizona

The vision of the Transportation Administrators of Arizona (TAA) focuses on the commitment to be the leader in Arizona in supporting and developing programs and industry professionals who will provide the safest form of school transportation for our children

Contact the Organizer View other events

Jesus Villajermosa
Safety Speaker
Crisis Reality Training

Jesus Villahermosa is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Active Shooters. His 33 years in law enforcement and 30 years serving as the Point Man on the S.W.A.T. Team while serving with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department allows Jesus to train others with reality always in mind.

https://www.crisisrealitytraining.com/

About Jesus Villajermosa

Safety Speaker
Crisis Reality Training
Rebecca Hendry
Director of Grants & Business
Florence Unified School District

About Rebecca Hendry

Director of Grants & Business
Florence Unified School District
Sandy Brown
Transportation Supervisor
Stanfield Unified School District

Sandy began her career at the Bullhead City Elementary District in 1991 when her kindergarten-age son was lost for over three hours on the first day of school. After learning that the district was short on bus drivers, she decided she could drive a bus and began training the very next day. Sandy later moved to Oklahoma, where she drove for five years. Ultimately, she returned to Arizona, working for several Phoenix-area districts. She currently serves as the operations manager for the Stanfield School District.

About Sandy Brown

Transportation Supervisor
Stanfield Unified School District
Sandy Cooper
Assistant Superintendent of HR
Retired from Chandler Unified School District

Sandy recently retired as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the Chandler USD and served the school community for more than 30 years. Sandy received a BA in Sociology from New Mexico State University and a MA in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She was part of the Arizona School Personnel Administrator's executive board (ASPAA) for several years, including serving as the state-wide President, and was awarded Administrator of the Year in 2003. She received the inaugural Arizona School Personnel Administrator's Association legacy award in 2016.

About Sandy Cooper

Assistant Superintendent of HR
Retired from Chandler Unified School District
Josh Crosby
Director of Transportation
Higley Unified School District

About Josh Crosby

Director of Transportation
Higley Unified School District
Cathy Erwin
Former Transportation Director
TAA Lifetime Member

I’m a retired Transportation Director with over 40 years of Pupil Transportation experience. I started in 1979 as a school bus driver and over the years gained vast knowledge and experience resulting in many professional growth opportunities. I went from a Driver to a Trainer and finally to a Transportation Director in January of 2000. As a school Bus Driver and Trainer I was also an active member of our local School Association, the AEA and the NEA. I was the VP for several years of the local School Association, co-chaired the Meet and Confer Committee (negotiation body for wages and benefits) and was the PAC (Political Action Committee) chair. Over the years I worked closely with the Department of Public Safety Student Transportation Division on the State Training Manual for School Bus Drivers. I have also attended the Transportation Congress in Missouri in 2010 as one of 9 Arizona delegates, appointed by the DPS. I was appointed by Governor Napolitano in 2003 to sit on the School Bus Advisory Council which I did until I retired in 2018. Serving for 15 years under 3 different Governors i.e. Janet Napolitano, Janice Brewer and Doug Ducey. I am a Lifetime Member of the Transportation Administrators of AZ (TAA), serving as their Vice President for one term and a board member for several terms. I am also a lifetime member of the Arizona Association for Pupil Transportation (AAPT). In 1994 I won the AAPT Bus Road-eo and represented AZ at the International Competition in Boston. I was the first Bus Driver to hold the position of President for the AAPT (years later becoming a Director) and I am currently the AAPT Historian. I’ve served as a board member of the AAPT for 35+ years.

About Cathy Erwin

Former Transportation Director
TAA Lifetime Member
Jerry Goodman
Transportation Supervisor
Chandler Unified School District

Jerry has worked in transportation for 15 years, beginning his career as a bus driver to help put himself through college. He eventually became a classroom and behind-the-wheel trainer, training newly hired employees. He went on to become a third-party tester with ADOT. Currently, Jerry serves as a supervisor for the Chandler Unified School District. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and bleeds maroon and gold. Go, Devils!

About Jerry Goodman

Transportation Supervisor
Chandler Unified School District
Hilma Gustafson
Administrator of Transportation
Glendale Union High School District

About Hilma Gustafson

Administrator of Transportation
Glendale Union High School District
Denice Hall
Director of Transportation
Blue Ridge Unified School District

Denice has had a class A CDL for decades and drove commercial trucks cross-country with her husband, to whom she’s been happily married for 31 years. She has the privilege of being a mother to 5 wonderful children and a grandmother to 10 and counting. As a lifelong resident of Lakeside, AZ. She embarked on her professional journey two decades ago as a bus driver. She has been a bus driver instructor for 11 years and is immensely enthusiastic to be a part of the LIT team with the Trust.

About Denice Hall

Director of Transportation
Blue Ridge Unified School District
Coral Henry
Administrative Assistant
Glendale Union High School District

Coral Henry has been in school bus transportation since 2007. She brings with her knowledge, experience, and drive. She started as a special needs bus driver, and as her knowledge of the industry grew, she became a trainer, dispatcher, and transportation secretary. Coral is also a Transportation of Arizona Administrator (TAA) board member and works closely with some of the best pioneers in the transportation industry. Coral is dedicated to the ongoing education of school bus transportation.

About Coral Henry

Administrative Assistant
Glendale Union High School District
Brian Lockery
Director of Business Services
Kyrene Elementary School District

Brian has been in the education field for over 25 years, serving in different capacities between the Arizona House of Representatives, the Arizona Department of Education and most recently as the Director of Finance for Kyrene School District for the last six years. He has been providing training on transportation finance and state reporting for over 10 years to transportation departments across Arizona. Brian is a proud husband and father of three, as well as a diehard Arizona Wildcat!

About Brian Lockery

Director of Business Services
Kyrene Elementary School District
Kruze Mingus
Director of Transportation
Queen Creek Unified School District

Kruze currently serves as the Director of Transportation at Queen Creek Unified School District in Queen Creek, Arizona. He is an advocate for growth in the student transportation industry and has focused his time and energy into creating innovative systems to improve operations. Kruze began as a Analyst for Kyrene Elementary School District in 2019 working with Jason on developing innovative technology integration systems. Next, Kruze moved to the Private Sector of student transportation serving as the Director of Operations for Desert Choice Transportation. There he worked to update the operations systems and specialize in communication systems between clients and staff until taking over at QCUSD in 2022.

About Kruze Mingus

Director of Transportation
Queen Creek Unified School District
Jason Nelson
Transportation Program Manager
Arizona School Risk and Retention Trust, Inc

Jason is currently a transportation program manager with the Trust. With over 13 years in the transportation industry, Jason has driven a bus, held positions of dispatch and routing, and supervised a transportation department of more than 100 workers. He demonstrates his passion for pupil transportation, having served as a board member for the Arizona Association of Pupil Transportation (AAPT) and the Transportation Administrators of Arizona (TAA) presidency. Jason has a "can-do" attitude and is passionate about enhancing school bus transportation in the state of Arizona.

About Jason Nelson

Transportation Program Manager
Arizona School Risk and Retention Trust, Inc
Keith Oarde
Unemployment Insurance Program Manager
AZ School Risk Retention Trust, Inc

Keith has served as the Trust’s UI Program Manager since 2019. He’s overseen the program through the pandemic and has established success with its members throughout this period. With his knowledge of all things UI in Arizona, Keith has helped members and claimants alike navigate the UI claims process to ensure a fair outcome for both parties.

About Keith Oarde

Unemployment Insurance Program Manager
AZ School Risk Retention Trust, Inc
Sara Sims
Special Populations Coordinator
Phoenix Elementary School District

Sara has been an employee with Phoenix Elementary School District for 24 years. Some of that time, she served as a school-based social worker and now serves at the district office, coordinating programs for a variety of special populations. Sara is a passionate advocate for students who are newcomers to the US educational system, experiencing homelessness, or are involved in the foster care system. Sara was honored at the Homeless Liaison of the Year in 2015 by ADE and the Arizona Housing Coalition.

About Sara Sims

Special Populations Coordinator
Phoenix Elementary School District
Jeff Walker
Owner and Operator
Southern Express Bus Services

Jeff Walker has been in student transportation for nearly 25 years. He has worked with school districts and private bus companies all over the United States. He currently owns and operates Northern Express Bus Service in Wisconsin and Southern Express Bus Service in Arizona. He has a passion for student transportation and loves sharing it with others!

About Jeff Walker

Owner and Operator
Southern Express Bus Services
Shannon Weber
Director of Transportation
Florence Unified School District

I have served 12 years on the TAA Board and 21 years in Arizona student transportation. I love this work, and believe it takes a village to be the best we can be. Student transportation is already a difficult job -add student conduct challenges and it can be what makes or breaks our best! I believe that kids don’t care what we know unless they know that we care. With consistent expectations, quality tools, creative solutions and the right perspective we can WIN with bus conduct. Join me as I share some tools from my experience and as we learn from others who may share from theirs.

About Shannon Weber

Director of Transportation
Florence Unified School District
TAA Board
Executive Board Members
TAA

https://taa-online.org/

About TAA Board

Executive Board Members
TAA
Arizona DPS
Student Transportation Unit
Arizona DPS

About Arizona DPS

Student Transportation Unit
Arizona DPS

Platinum

About Arizona Bus Center

http://arizonabuscenter.com Sponsor Logo

About Canyon State Bus Sales

http://canyonstatebus.com Sponsor Logo

About RWC Group

http://rwcgroup.com Sponsor Logo

Educational Partners

About The Trust

Sponsor Logo

Gold

About Firebird Bus and Fleet Collision Center

https://firebirdbfcc.com/home Sponsor Logo

Conference Hosts

About Transportation Administrator of Arizona - TAA

https://taa-online.org/ Sponsor Logo

About Little America Flagstaff

Sponsor Logo

Entertainment Hosts

About FlagTag Arizona

https://flagtagaz.com/ Sponsor Logo

About Starlite Lanes

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Sessions on Jun 17, 2024

08:00 AM

Leadership in Training: Train the Trainer

08:00 AM - 03:00 PMLittle America Convention CenterTrust
    Jason Nelson
    Transportation Program ManagerArizona School Risk and Retention Trust, Inc
    Jason is currently a transportation program manager with the Trust. With over 13 years in the transportation industry, Jason has driven a bus, held positions of dispatch and routing, and supervised a transportation department of more than 100 workers. He demonstrates his passion for pupil transportation, having served as a board member for the Arizona Association of Pupil Transportation (AAPT) and the Transportation Administrators of Arizona (TAA) presidency. Jason has a "can-do" attitude and is passionate about enhancing school bus transportation in the state of Arizona.
    Denice Hall
    Director of TransportationBlue Ridge Unified School District
    Denice has had a class A CDL for decades and drove commercial trucks cross-country with her husband, to whom she’s been happily married for 31 years. She has the privilege of being a mother to 5 wonderful children and a grandmother to 10 and counting. As a lifelong resident of Lakeside, AZ. She embarked on her professional journey two decades ago as a bus driver. She has been a bus driver instructor for 11 years and is immensely enthusiastic to be a part of the LIT team with the Trust.
    Sandy Brown
    Transportation SupervisorStanfield Unified School District
    Sandy began her career at the Bullhead City Elementary District in 1991 when her kindergarten-age son was lost for over three hours on the first day of school. After learning that the district was short on bus drivers, she decided she could drive a bus and began training the very next day. Sandy later moved to Oklahoma, where she drove for five years. Ultimately, she returned to Arizona, working for several Phoenix-area districts. She currently serves as the operations manager for the Stanfield School District.

    Sponsors

    Leadership in Training: Director/Supervisor

    08:00 AM - 03:00 PMLittle America Conference Center
      Sandy Cooper
      Assistant Superintendent of HRRetired from Chandler Unified School District
      Sandy recently retired as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the Chandler USD and served the school community for more than 30 years. Sandy received a BA in Sociology from New Mexico State University and a MA in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She was part of the Arizona School Personnel Administrator's executive board (ASPAA) for several years, including serving as the state-wide President, and was awarded Administrator of the Year in 2003. She received the inaugural Arizona School Personnel Administrator's Association legacy award in 2016.
      Jerry Goodman
      Transportation SupervisorChandler Unified School District
      Jerry has worked in transportation for 15 years, beginning his career as a bus driver to help put himself through college. He eventually became a classroom and behind-the-wheel trainer, training newly hired employees. He went on to become a third-party tester with ADOT. Currently, Jerry serves as a supervisor for the Chandler Unified School District. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and bleeds maroon and gold. Go, Devils!
      Keith Oarde
      Unemployment Insurance Program ManagerAZ School Risk Retention Trust, Inc
      Keith has served as the Trust’s UI Program Manager since 2019. He’s overseen the program through the pandemic and has established success with its members throughout this period. With his knowledge of all things UI in Arizona, Keith has helped members and claimants alike navigate the UI claims process to ensure a fair outcome for both parties.
      Sara Sims
      Special Populations CoordinatorPhoenix Elementary School District
      Sara has been an employee with Phoenix Elementary School District for 24 years. Some of that time, she served as a school-based social worker and now serves at the district office, coordinating programs for a variety of special populations. Sara is a passionate advocate for students who are newcomers to the US educational system, experiencing homelessness, or are involved in the foster care system. Sara was honored at the Homeless Liaison of the Year in 2015 by ADE and the Arizona Housing Coalition.

      Sponsors

      03:00 PM

      Registration and Check In

      03:00 PM - 06:00 PMAggassiz RoomCheck In
        TAA Board
        Executive Board MembersTAA
        05:30 PM

        FlagTag Arizona

        05:30 PM - 08:30 PMFlagTag ArizonaMixer

        Sponsors

        Sessions on Jun 18, 2024

        07:00 AM

        Breakfast

        07:00 AM - 08:30 AMGrand BallroomBreakfastFoodMeals

        Sponsors

        07:00 AM

        Registration and Check In

        07:00 AM - 08:00 AMAggassizMixer
          TAA Board
          Executive Board MembersTAA
          08:30 AM

          Opening Ceremonies

          08:30 AM - 09:00 AMGrand BallroomOpening Ceremony
            Shannon Weber
            Director of TransportationFlorence Unified School District
            I have served 12 years on the TAA Board and 21 years in Arizona student transportation. I love this work, and believe it takes a village to be the best we can be. Student transportation is already a difficult job -add student conduct challenges and it can be what makes or breaks our best! I believe that kids don’t care what we know unless they know that we care. With consistent expectations, quality tools, creative solutions and the right perspective we can WIN with bus conduct. Join me as I share some tools from my experience and as we learn from others who may share from theirs.
            09:00 AM

            Energy UP! - Rebecca Hendry

            09:00 AM - 10:30 AMGrand Ballroom
              Rebecca Hendry
              Director of Grants & BusinessFlorence Unified School District
              10:45 AM

              Region 4 Meeting

              10:45 AM - 11:30 AMTBD
                TAA Board
                Executive Board MembersTAA

                Region 1 Meeting

                10:45 AM - 11:30 AMTBD
                  TAA Board
                  Executive Board MembersTAA

                  Region 2 Meeting

                  10:45 AM - 11:30 AMTBD
                    TAA Board
                    Executive Board MembersTAA

                    Region 3 Meetings

                    10:45 AM - 11:30 AMTBD
                      TAA Board
                      Executive Board MembersTAA

                      Region 6 Meeting

                      10:45 AM - 11:30 AMGrand Ballroom
                        TAA Board
                        Executive Board MembersTAA

                        Region 5 Meeting

                        10:45 AM - 11:30 AMTBD
                          TAA Board
                          Executive Board MembersTAA
                          11:30 AM

                          Lunch

                          11:30 AM - 01:00 PMGreat Ballroom

                          Sponsors

                          01:00 PM

                          Fleet Maintenance - Canyon State Bus Sales

                          01:00 PM - 02:00 PMTBD

                          HR Energy

                          01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
                            Rebecca Hendry
                            Director of Grants & BusinessFlorence Unified School District

                            DPS Updates

                            01:00 PM - 02:00 PMTBD
                              Arizona DPS
                              Student Transportation UnitArizona DPS

                              Accident Packets

                              01:00 PM - 02:00 PMTBD
                                Josh Crosby
                                Director of TransportationHigley Unified School District
                                02:10 PM

                                Fleet Management - RWC

                                02:10 PM - 03:10 PMTBDClosing Ceremonies

                                100 Day Reporting and Vehicle Inventory Reports

                                02:10 PM - 03:10 PMTBD
                                  Brian Lockery
                                  Director of Business ServicesKyrene Elementary School District
                                  Brian has been in the education field for over 25 years, serving in different capacities between the Arizona House of Representatives, the Arizona Department of Education and most recently as the Director of Finance for Kyrene School District for the last six years. He has been providing training on transportation finance and state reporting for over 10 years to transportation departments across Arizona. Brian is a proud husband and father of three, as well as a diehard Arizona Wildcat!

                                  How do We WIN?

                                  02:10 PM - 03:10 PMTBD
                                    Shannon Weber
                                    Director of TransportationFlorence Unified School District
                                    I have served 12 years on the TAA Board and 21 years in Arizona student transportation. I love this work, and believe it takes a village to be the best we can be. Student transportation is already a difficult job -add student conduct challenges and it can be what makes or breaks our best! I believe that kids don’t care what we know unless they know that we care. With consistent expectations, quality tools, creative solutions and the right perspective we can WIN with bus conduct. Join me as I share some tools from my experience and as we learn from others who may share from theirs.

                                    Special Needs Records/Information Requests

                                    02:10 PM - 03:10 PMTBD
                                      Hilma Gustafson
                                      Administrator of TransportationGlendale Union High School District
                                      03:20 PM

                                      Special Needs Bus Books

                                      03:20 PM - 04:20 PMTBD
                                        Sandy Brown
                                        Transportation SupervisorStanfield Unified School District
                                        Sandy began her career at the Bullhead City Elementary District in 1991 when her kindergarten-age son was lost for over three hours on the first day of school. After learning that the district was short on bus drivers, she decided she could drive a bus and began training the very next day. Sandy later moved to Oklahoma, where she drove for five years. Ultimately, she returned to Arizona, working for several Phoenix-area districts. She currently serves as the operations manager for the Stanfield School District.

                                        DPS Portal Setup and Use

                                        03:20 PM - 04:20 PMTBD
                                          Kruze Mingus
                                          Director of TransportationQueen Creek Unified School District
                                          Kruze currently serves as the Director of Transportation at Queen Creek Unified School District in Queen Creek, Arizona. He is an advocate for growth in the student transportation industry and has focused his time and energy into creating innovative systems to improve operations. Kruze began as a Analyst for Kyrene Elementary School District in 2019 working with Jason on developing innovative technology integration systems. Next, Kruze moved to the Private Sector of student transportation serving as the Director of Operations for Desert Choice Transportation. There he worked to update the operations systems and specialize in communication systems between clients and staff until taking over at QCUSD in 2022.

                                          Live, Laugh, Love... And School Buses!

                                          03:20 PM - 04:20 PMTBD
                                            Jeff Walker
                                            Owner and OperatorSouthern Express Bus Services
                                            Jeff Walker has been in student transportation for nearly 25 years. He has worked with school districts and private bus companies all over the United States. He currently owns and operates Northern Express Bus Service in Wisconsin and Southern Express Bus Service in Arizona. He has a passion for student transportation and loves sharing it with others!

                                            Special Needs Emergency Evacuation Planning

                                            03:20 PM - 04:20 PMBack Lot of Conference Center In the Bus
                                              Coral Henry
                                              Administrative AssistantGlendale Union High School District
                                              Coral Henry has been in school bus transportation since 2007. She brings with her knowledge, experience, and drive. She started as a special needs bus driver, and as her knowledge of the industry grew, she became a trainer, dispatcher, and transportation secretary. Coral is also a Transportation of Arizona Administrator (TAA) board member and works closely with some of the best pioneers in the transportation industry. Coral is dedicated to the ongoing education of school bus transportation.

                                              Fleet Maintanance-ABC

                                              03:20 PM - 04:20 PMTBD
                                              04:30 PM

                                              Cornhole Tournament

                                              04:30 PM - 06:00 PMBack Lawn at Little America
                                              04:30 PM

                                              Transportation Bingo

                                              04:30 PM - 05:30 PMFlagstaff Room
                                              06:30 PM

                                              Dinner, Bowling and the Museum Club

                                              06:30 PM - 10:00 PMStarlight Lanes

                                              Sponsors

                                              Sessions on Jun 19, 2024

                                              06:30 AM

                                              Breakfast

                                              06:30 AM - 08:00 AMGrand BallroomFoodMealsBreakfast

                                              Sponsors

                                              06:30 AM

                                              Registration and Check In

                                              06:30 AM - 07:30 AMAggassizCheck In
                                                TAA Board
                                                Executive Board MembersTAA
                                                08:00 AM

                                                TAA Annual Recap and President Elect Speeches

                                                08:00 AM - 08:45 AMGrand Ballroom
                                                  TAA Board
                                                  Executive Board MembersTAA
                                                  09:00 AM

                                                  Talk to the Experts with DPS

                                                  09:00 AM - 10:00 AMGrand Ballroom
                                                    Arizona DPS
                                                    Student Transportation UnitArizona DPS
                                                    10:10 AM

                                                    Special Needs Emergency Evacuation Planning

                                                    10:10 AM - 11:00 AMBack Lot at Little America
                                                      Coral Henry
                                                      Administrative AssistantGlendale Union High School District
                                                      Coral Henry has been in school bus transportation since 2007. She brings with her knowledge, experience, and drive. She started as a special needs bus driver, and as her knowledge of the industry grew, she became a trainer, dispatcher, and transportation secretary. Coral is also a Transportation of Arizona Administrator (TAA) board member and works closely with some of the best pioneers in the transportation industry. Coral is dedicated to the ongoing education of school bus transportation.

                                                      100 Day Reporting and Vehicle Inventory Reports

                                                      10:10 AM - 11:00 AMTBD
                                                        Brian Lockery
                                                        Director of Business ServicesKyrene Elementary School District
                                                        Brian has been in the education field for over 25 years, serving in different capacities between the Arizona House of Representatives, the Arizona Department of Education and most recently as the Director of Finance for Kyrene School District for the last six years. He has been providing training on transportation finance and state reporting for over 10 years to transportation departments across Arizona. Brian is a proud husband and father of three, as well as a diehard Arizona Wildcat!

                                                        Work Doesn't Have To Be A 4 Letter Word

                                                        10:10 AM - 11:00 AMTBD
                                                          Cathy Erwin
                                                          Former Transportation DirectorTAA Lifetime Member
                                                          I’m a retired Transportation Director with over 40 years of Pupil Transportation experience. I started in 1979 as a school bus driver and over the years gained vast knowledge and experience resulting in many professional growth opportunities. I went from a Driver to a Trainer and finally to a Transportation Director in January of 2000. As a school Bus Driver and Trainer I was also an active member of our local School Association, the AEA and the NEA. I was the VP for several years of the local School Association, co-chaired the Meet and Confer Committee (negotiation body for wages and benefits) and was the PAC (Political Action Committee) chair. Over the years I worked closely with the Department of Public Safety Student Transportation Division on the State Training Manual for School Bus Drivers. I have also attended the Transportation Congress in Missouri in 2010 as one of 9 Arizona delegates, appointed by the DPS. I was appointed by Governor Napolitano in 2003 to sit on the School Bus Advisory Council which I did until I retired in 2018. Serving for 15 years under 3 different Governors i.e. Janet Napolitano, Janice Brewer and Doug Ducey. I am a Lifetime Member of the Transportation Administrators of AZ (TAA), serving as their Vice President for one term and a board member for several terms. I am also a lifetime member of the Arizona Association for Pupil Transportation (AAPT). In 1994 I won the AAPT Bus Road-eo and represented AZ at the International Competition in Boston. I was the first Bus Driver to hold the position of President for the AAPT (years later becoming a Director) and I am currently the AAPT Historian. I’ve served as a board member of the AAPT for 35+ years.

                                                          DPS Updates

                                                          10:10 AM - 11:00 AM
                                                            Arizona DPS
                                                            Student Transportation UnitArizona DPS
                                                            11:15 AM

                                                            School Bus Showcase

                                                            11:15 AM - 01:30 PMTravel Center Parking Lot

                                                            Sponsors

                                                            12:30 PM

                                                            Lunch

                                                            12:30 PM - 01:30 PMTBD
                                                            01:30 PM

                                                            Vendor Show

                                                            01:30 PM - 04:30 PMGrand Ballroom

                                                            Sponsors

                                                            04:45 PM

                                                            Cornhole Tournament Finals

                                                            04:45 PM - 05:45 PMBack Lawn at Little America
                                                            06:30 PM

                                                            Dinner

                                                            06:30 PM - 10:00 PMGrand BallroomFood

                                                            Sponsors

                                                            Sessions on Jun 20, 2024

                                                            07:30 AM

                                                            Breakfast

                                                            07:30 AM - 08:45 AMGrand BallroomBreakfastMealsFood

                                                            Sponsors

                                                            08:45 AM

                                                            Personal Safety is Thinking at the Speed of Life - Jesus Villahermosa

                                                            08:45 AM - 10:45 AMGrand BallroomKeynote Speaker
                                                              Jesus Villajermosa
                                                              Safety SpeakerCrisis Reality Training
                                                              Jesus Villahermosa is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Active Shooters. His 33 years in law enforcement and 30 years serving as the Point Man on the S.W.A.T. Team while serving with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department allows Jesus to train others with reality always in mind.
                                                              10:45 AM

                                                              Closing Ceremonies

                                                              10:45 AM - 11:30 AMGrand BallroomClosing Ceremonies
                                                                TAA Board
                                                                Executive Board MembersTAA