John Wilson: Commitment Through Service Shop Manager | Volusia County Schools, Florida
looking for a career that offered a greater sense of purpose. Seventeen years later, he continues to realize
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that in pupil transportation. As shop manager for Volusia County Schools, Wilson oversees
the maintenance of more than 90 school buses, 159 white fleet vehicles
and 26 trailers. His team includes eight vehi- cle technicians, three technician assistants, an A/V technician, a body technician, and a parts mechanic. Together, they help ensure safe and reliable transportation for approximately 20,000 students each day. For Wilson, safety remains the foundation
of everything the department does. “As a shop manager, ensuring that all students and staff are in safe, secure, effective and efficient vehicles is the best part of my job,” he said. “Safety is the No. 1 priority.” Before joining the district, Wilson spent more than 20 years working in retail automotive dealerships, building the technical expertise that would later shape his leadership style. Over the course of his career, he earned 28 ASE certifications, including Master Automotive ASE, Master Medium/Heavy Duty Truck ASE,
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fter more than two decades in the au- tomotive industry, John Wilson was
and Master School Bus ASE credentials. He also serves as a Florida Department of Education school bus inspector and inspector trainer. Wilson is also a member of the Florida Department of Education School Bus Spec- ifications Committee and chairman of the Technician Qualifications Committee, helping guide standards and best practices for student transportation across the state. Within his own department, Wilson is known as a mentor who encourages technicians to continue developing their skills and adapting to new technologies. The district supports that effort through year- round training opportunities and investments in modern diagnostic equipment. One project that stands out during Wilson’s tenure is the creation of two STEM bus mobile classrooms. The department has also expanded its main-
tenance capabilities in recent years with the addition of two new vehicle lifts and ongoing investments in tools and equipment to support an increasing workload. Although no two days are exactly alike,
Wilson embraces the variety that comes with overseeing a large transportation operation. From supporting technicians to helping solve maintenance challenges, his focus remains on ensuring vehicles are ready to safely serve students and staff. His advice for newcomers entering the industry is straightforward: “Gain as much knowledge as you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
Jonny Petaros: From the Racetrack to Student Transportation Fleet Mechanic | Nye County School District, Nevada
or 13 years, Jonny Petaros worked as a professional racing mechanic, maintain-
ing Le Mans prototype race cars while traveling
across the U.S., Canada, England and Portugal.
Today, he applies that same attention to detail and diagnos- tic expertise to a different mission:
Keeping students safe on the road. Petaros joined Nye County School District nearly four 44 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2026
years ago after deciding it was time for a career change. The motivation came from home. “My 5-year-old son wanted me to be home for his 6th birthday,” Petaros said. “When he asked me to find a new career path, I started the search. I saw that they had a mechanic position open up with Nye County School District, which was the school district I attended and graduated from. I applied and got the job.” Today, Petaros works alongside his team to maintain
more than 50 school buses and 45 district vehicles. His days begin with shop meetings focused on assign- ing tasks and prioritizing repairs. During the summer months, annual safety inspections and preparing the
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