“When you bring people in on the journey, they are
aware of what problems we are trying to solve for to- gether, then you get a lot of patience and grace on the other side when these kinds of solutions are rolled out to them, because they are the ones who helped create that solution,” he said, adding the next step is learning about what’s working and what isn’t and making changes to scale to a larger implementation stage.
Duke said Sharda is above the curve when it comes to AI and its capabilities. “Two years ago, he was talking about where we need- ed to take [AI], how it could streamline our business, and really putting us on the right path for that,” he said. “Gaurav has really been instrumental in transforming our business and how technology comes into play on it.” Duke, who has worked in transportation for 40 years, said that the school bus industry is slow to change. Plus, for many people it’s only about getting students from school and home, safe and on-time. “But there’s more to that, and today our parents expect a lot more, as do our customers,” he said, adding that
parents want a greater visibility into their child’s day. “[Sharda] has been a big thinker in that regard, and he’s really helped guide the organization to where we are today and well into the future.” Sharda said technology can create a positive impact
on society. “That’s what keeps me going. I love building strong teams. Bringing people in on the journey, growing technology teams and creating an environment where everybody fosters together. It’s that special.” He said serving students with special needs in the
community makes him the most proud. “Everybody getting behind the same mission of helping people live, learn and achieve, and providing the right investments in technology and the right partnerships to make it all happen,” he said. Crawford said Sharda is “an awesome” person and thinks differently about moving the company forward. “He’s very focused on the end customer,” she said.
“What do the kids riding the buses need? What do the school districts need? What do parents need? What do our drivers need? He’s very focused on that piece of it.
GAURAV SHARDA CTO, Beacon Mobility
2025 STN Innovator of the Year
Your proud partners at
GOADROIT.COM 76 School Transportation News • JULY 2025
GAURAV SHARDA
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