as an energy resource for our community,” Epley said. Epley has also advocated for predictable, long-term and


accessible electric school bus funding that accounts for buses, infrastructure, electrical upgrades, training and operating costs. Despite the technology at the center of his work, Epley said his favorite part of the job can be summarized in one word: Support. “Knowing that, in some small way, I’m helping other peo- ple do their jobs better and ultimately helping our students,” he said. Epley credits his older sister Melissa Epley, and friend and mentor Ryan Calkins, founder and CEO of career realignment and coaching service Reframe and Rise, with influencing his career. His transportation mentors include retired executive director of transportation Dan Dobbins; Dewrell Wesley of Sequoia Union High School District;


Martin Cervantes of Redwood City School District; and Kelly Hubbard of San Mateo Union High School District. He also recognized retired school bus instructor Carrie Velez, Fremont Unified School District mentors Thomas Ekman, Zack Larsen and James Arcala, as well as Daniel Hillman of Van Pelt Construction Services. Away from transportation, Epley is an amateur astron- omer and photographer who combines the two interests through astrophotography. As for what comes next, Epley remains open to eventual- ly pursuing executive leadership. “For now, I’m just enjoying the ride, pun intended, con- tinuing to learn, and seeing where the next opportunity takes me,” he said.


✰Jerry Shannon Jr. School Bus Driver, Robertson County Schools, Tennessee


What began as a suggestion to Jerry Shannon developed into a seven-year journey through nearly every level of pupil transportation . Shannon entered Robertson


County Schools after his mother told him the district was looking for school bus drivers and atten- dants. He started as a school bus attendant before becoming a van driver and school bus technician. He later served as a dispatcher, administrative assistant, safety co- ordinator, routing coordinator, and ultimately operations and safety manager.


Each position, Shannon said, gave him a different per-


spective on the people and processes required to safely transport students. “Leadership is not simply about managing people but


rather it is about helping others develop, succeed and feel prepared for the responsibilities they carry,” Shannon said. Along the way, Shannon earned instructor certifications


in first aid, CPR/AED, the Smith System of safe driving, and Crisis Prevention Intervention, allowing him to train and support drivers and attendants. He also helped modernize the department through


technology and communication initiatives. Shannon helped develop its Facebook and Instagram presence, which allowed transportation staff to communicate di- rectly with families while recognizing employees for their


44 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2026


work. He also supported technology upgrades and efforts to provide schools and parents with more accurate and timely information. Shannon eventually left the transportation department to


become a city planner for the City of Springfield, but he did not leave pupil transportation behind. He continues to drive a school bus, transporting approximately 75 to 80 students each day. “My favorite part of the job is greeting each student as


they board the bus,” Shannon said. “Sometimes, a simple smile and a ‘good morning’ may be more meaningful than we realize.”


Shannon is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in supply chain and operations management. In less than a year, he completed 75 percent of the program and hopes to finish within six months. His mother, Marsha Shannon, and former transportation


director Joshua Hinerman (the current state director at the Tennessee Department of Education) have been major influences. Shannon’s mother has driven for Robertson County Schools for eight years, making him a second-gen- eration school bus driver. Looking ahead, Shannon hopes to continue serving the public, potentially as Springfield’s assistant city manager or in a position with the state of Tennessee. But wherever his ca- reer leads, he does not plan to stray far from the yellow bus. “I would love to continue serving students by driving a school bus whenever possible for years to come,” Shan- non said.


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