CINCINNATI — First Student, the nation’s leader in student transportation, has named four members to its management team. The new employees will lead all aspects of student transportation operations, maintenance and safety for the company’s new agreements with Detroit Public Schools (DPS) and Oak Park Schools in Michigan.
“We are pleased to have such an accomplished team with extensive experience in the transportation industry as we further develop First Student’s presence in the Detroit area,” said Doug Meek, region operations manager, First Student. “Their knowledge of the industry and dedication to their community will benefit the schools and families we serve for many years to come.”
Matthew Wensko joins the company as the senior contract manager. He is responsible for all transportation operations for the company’s contract with DPS. Wensko has more than 20 years of experience in operations management and logistics. He spent the majority of his professional career at FedEx where he managed operations at a number of facilities and was recognized for increasing productivity, improving customer service and implementing new technology to improve procedures. Most recently, he was the district field services manager for DHL-Airborne Express in Detroit.
Marcellette Burnette joins the First Student team as contract manager. She will oversee all aspects of student transportation including operations, safety and customer service for Oak Park Schools. Burnette joins the company after 25 years with DPS, where she began her career as a school bus driver and held a series of progressive roles throughout the district’s transportation department. Burnette was most recently the supervisor of the district’s East side bus facility where she supervised more than 200 employees.
Carl Ingram joins First Student as contract manager for the company’s DPS partnership, managing all operations for the company’s East side bus facility. Ingram joins the company from the DPS’ transportation department. Ingram has served on the executive board of the Michigan Association of Pupil Transportation and the Wayne County Supervisors Association. He is also a member of the state’s Pupil Transportation Advisory Committee and is certified by the State of Michigan Department of Education as an instructor for new school bus driver and advance bus driver training classes.
Elizabeth Junior joins First Student as the operations manager for the company’s West side bus facility serving DPS. Junior joins the company after more than 30 years with DPS’ transportation department. Junior began her career with the district as a driver before moving on to scheduling, terminal management and supervisor positions throughout the department.
The 2010-2011 school year marks the start of First Student’s five-year contract with Detroit Public Schools and three-year agreement with Oak Park Schools to provide safe and reliable student transportation for the districts.