Jonathan Curzon: Setting the Standard Regional Director of Maintenance | Southland Transportation/STA, Canada J
onathan Curzon’s career has taken him from au- tomotive dealerships in the United Kingdom to overseeing school bus maintenance operations across three Canadian provinces. Along the way,
he has remained true to a commitment of leading by example. Curzon entered the pupil transportation in- dustry 11 years ago after relocating with his wife. Before making the move, he became the youngest Honda Master Technician in the U.K. and earned certifications in hybrid, electric vehicle and hydrogen technolo- gies. Today, as regional director of maintenance for Southland Transportation, a Student Transportation of America company, Curzon oversees maintenance operations spanning Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. His region includes approximately 1,000 school buses supported by 45 maintenance employees, including technicians and parts specialists. Although his responsibilities now focus on regional leadership, Curzon continues to spend time in the shop helping technicians diagnose problems, repair buses and im- prove maintenance processes. “My current day-to-day varies,” Curzon said. “One day I will be working on a task for my boss, the next day I could be in a shop helping repair a school bus, the next assisting with inventory.” That hands-on approach has helped him build strong
relationships with technicians throughout the region. He enjoys helping teams solve complex diagnostic issues while introducing new procedures that improve efficien- cy and consistency across multiple locations. Technology has become an important part of that ef-
fort. Over the past year, the company introduced tablets for technicians and upgraded its maintenance software,
fleet for the upcoming school year take center stage. Recently, he was appointed interim fleet supervisor fol- lowing the resignation of the district’s fleet supervisor. Petaros has taken on additional responsibilities while continuing to support daily maintenance operations. Budget-related staff reductions have also creat-
ed new challenges for the department, requiring the remaining team members to adapt and find ways to maintain productivity. One tool helping the district meet those challenges is its fleet telematics system. The technology allows technicians to remotely monitor and diagnose vehicles while they are on route, help- ing the department identify issues more quickly and improve response times. “The system helps us diagnose vehicles out on route
remotely, which enables us to accurately remedy issues out in the field,” Petaros said.
allowing shops to move toward paper- less work orders while improving inventory management and productivity. Curzon also oversees a diverse fleet that includes diesel, gasoline and approximately 200 propane-powered school buses. He said the propane fleet has reduced preventive maintenance costs and lowered replacement part expenses compared with diesel-pow- ered vehicles. In recent years, each shop in his region has received facility and equipment upgrades, including new diagnostic tools, laptops and shop equipment. Those investments have helped technicians work more effi- ciently while improving service for customers. His advice for newcomers is to approach the industry with an open mind and a strong work ethic. “We can teach you the skills to do the job,” Curzon said. “The one thing we can’t teach is the willingness to learn and to put in a hard day’s worth of work.” Whether mentoring technicians, introducing new
technology or stepping into the shop to help solve a difficult repair, Curzon believes leadership begins by working alongside the people you support. He thanked Ken Gill for the nomination and his company, STA, which he described as the best company he has worked for, noting that they treat employees like family from the top down. He also extended his appreciation to all of his location staff for the hard work they put in every day to help make the company what it is today.
While Nye County does not cur-
rently operate alternative fuel school buses due to the long distances covered by its routes, Petaros and his team continue to embrace new technologies. Recent additions include cloud-based camera systems and other tools designed to improve fleet operations and safety. Outside of work, Petaros remains
committed to serving his community. Since 2016, he has coached soccer at Pahrump Valley High School, helping student-athletes develop team- work and discipline. In 2024, he also became a second lieutenant in the Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol Air Force Auxiliary.
www.stnonline.com 45
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