Jackson speaks with mechanic Dave A’mato (left) while he fuels a propane school bus at the South Terminal for driver Maria Diaz, following an afternoon route. The South Terminal is currently the only one at Jeffco with a propane fueling station.
He was there for six years, and he said the expe- rience taught him the business aspect of busing students. It was also where he fell in love with the industry. He said he was surrounded by great people who helped him understand the day-to-day operations. It was under the leadership of Pauline Gervais,
the DPS executive director at the time, that Jackson learned about the bigger picture of larger organiza- tions. The experience instilled in him the drive that has carried him throughout his career. Then in 2007, Jackson started looking for a new
challenge and he became a terminal supervisor at Boulder Valley School District. It was the first time he was in a leadership position from an administrator standpoint. He learned more about the transportation business over the next four years, became involved in the Colorado State Pupil Transportation Association, and gave all the support he could to help the associa- tion continue to grow. His next stop was on May 2, 2011, when Jackson
joined Jefferson County Public Schools, where he has been ever since. Jackson was recruited by Chief Operating Officer Steven Bell.
The camaraderie between the two men is palpable.
Bell joked that he and his student transportation leader are like twin brothers, but mom liked Jackson better. That same relaxed, family dynamic extends across the district. “My leadership style is pretty simple,” Bell explained.
“It is to surround [myself] in the organization with top-talent individuals. That’s the reason that we solic- ited Greg Jackson.” Bell shared that Jackson was the only serious candidate for the transportation post. “I evaluated the people who were out in the field, and his name came up repeatedly,” Bell continued. “After I met with him a couple of times, I realized that this was the type of person that we wanted in our organization to become a leader. And he is better than I thought he would be, which is a very pleasant surprise.” While Bell and Jackson both share interests in
athletics and the outdoors, they also have the same leadership mentality. “My job is to work for him. My job is to do
whatever it takes to make him more successful, and he is forever coming up with ideas,” Bell said. “Which I really like and encourage. … How do we become better?” He said Jackson’s true talents are
Jeffco Public Schools At a Glance: Square Miles: ........................................................................................7,078 (suburban & mountainous rural) Students Transported Daily (one way): ....................................................................................................... 21,000 Total Number of School Buses: .................................................................................................................................415 Total Number of Service Vehicles: ..........................................................................................................................750 Total Daily School Bus Routes: .................................................................................................................................257 Number of School Bus Drivers (including substitutes): ..............................................................................305
50 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2019
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