INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS Life of Riley
RETIRING NASDPTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REFLECTS ON FOUR DECADES IN THE INDUSTRY
WRITTEN BY RYAN GRAY B
eing a “bus boss” is not what Bob Riley envisioned when setting out on his career, and he says most youngsters probably don’t, either.
But then the yellow got in his blood. As he eyes retirement this summer after serving as executive director for the National Associa- tion of State Directors of Pupil Transporta- tion, he said he wouldn’t have his “cross-sec- tion of opportunities” any other way. Well, he conceded, at least he
wouldn’t change much. He has worked in nearly every capacity of student transportation, beginning similarly to many others: as a school bus driver. He was attending college at Towson State Uni- versity in Maryland before graduating and becoming a teacher, and he needed some part-time income.
and pupil transportation, a post he held until 1982 when he joined Palm Beach County Schools in South Florida as the assistant director of transportation opera- tions. In doing so, he went from overseeing the transportation of 40,000 students a day throughout Wyoming to more than 70,000 a day in Palm Beach. “One thing that now stands out to me is that the challenges faced on a daily basis in running a safe, efficient school bus transpor- tation system are most similar regardless of the size of the system; and that the key to success is having quality, dedicated staff at all levels provided with the tools necessary to do their jobs,” he explained. He then rose to his current position with
NASDPTS in 2006 after the retirement of Charlie Gauthier. Since, Riley has worked
“I strongly recommend that all industry professionals become familiar with the ASBC website as well as those from NASDPTS, NAPT and NSTA.” — Bob Riley
By 1969 he began teaching high school
driver education in Maryland. Over the next couple of years he also pursued a master’s degree in traffic safety, and in 1973 he joined the Maryland Department of Ed- ucation as a consultant in traffic safety and school transportation. Since then, he as well as his contemporaries have seen a plethora of changes. “School buses are safer and more depend- able than ever. Bus drivers are well trained professionals, (and) the use of technology to improve safety, efficiency and accountability is rapidly becoming the norm,” he told STN. “And the administration of transportation systems is ever improving. One thing that has not changed is the dedication and pro- fessionalism of the members of the yellow school bus community. I am proud to con- sider myself a member of that community.” In 1975, Riley moved to Wyoming to become the state director of traffic safety
20 School Transportation News April 2014
with the pupil transportation industry and see it in action from a national perspective. “Te various federal agencies that pro-
mulgate laws, rules and standards governing the construction and operation of school buses have been, much to my surprise, a pleasure to work with,” he added. “In gen- eral, they are most supportive of the school bus industry and have a great appreciation of our dedication and success in the safe transportation of the nation’s students.” He said a very positive industry im-
provement on the national level during his tenure was cooperation between NAPT, NSTA and NASDPTS with the assistance of the three major school bus manufactur- ers Blue Bird, IC Bus and Tomas Built Buses to create the American School Bus Council. It was formed to educate parents, school officials and lawmakers about the essential role of the yellow school bus. “I strongly recommend that all industry
£ Bob Riley has almost done it all when it comes to student transportation. He started as a school bus driver and has been a safety trainer, assistant director and director of transportation at a local school district, state director, and executive director of a national association.
professionals become familiar with the ASBC website as well as those from NAS- DPTS, NAPT and NSTA,” said Riley. Max Christensen, president of NAS-
DPTS, said replacing Riley would be a tall order. “Bob Riley has been and continues to be a
very effective executive director for NAS- DPTS. Te depth and breadth of his knowl- edge base and industry contacts have been a significant factor in the positive and proactive direction our association has taken during his tenure,” Christensen said. “On behalf of the board, we wish him the best and want to thank him for his service to NASDPTS and to the industry.” Te association posted the open position
in early December, and Christensen said NASDPTS hopes to name Riley’s successor this spring. Finalist interviews were held in Nashville, Tenn., last month.Riley remains on contract with NASDPTS on a month- to-month basis until the end of June, or until NASDPTS hires the new executive director. He currently resides in Steamboat
Springs, Colo., with wife Jo. Te couple also operates a local bed and breakfast. “We do offer special yellow school bus
rates at the B&B for old friends!” Riley added.
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