The drivers were nominated by their supervisors as persons who exemplify the best of the best in school transportation.

Applications were judged on the criteria of years of service, dedication to safety, community service achievements, communication with school staff, and letters of recommendation from parents, co-workers, students and school staff.

This year was the 19th annual award ceremony, which was held on June 13. The driver winners honored at the conference in Grand Rapids, Minn., were:

• Sharyn Nepsha of Kottkes' Bus Service
• Galen Nilson of Lake Crystal School Bus Service
• Debra Pawlowicz of Voyageur Bus Company
• Geoff Ralson of Lake City Bus Lines
• Mike Schreyer of Faribault Transportation Company, Inc.
• Olav Thormodson of Madelia Bus Service

Each driver received a trophy and a $1,000 check in each of their respective names toward a scholarship fund for deserving youth who attend the school district in which they work.

 

The MSBOA board honored Lyle Hicks with the Jim DeVeau Award, established in 2007 to honor any contractor, contractor's manager or associate/vendor member who has helped to shape the MSBOA organization and to help influence the entire school bus industry. Hicks is MSBOA's legislative chair.

 

Jim DeVeau was a past bus contractor/operator and later became the MSBOA’s first Executive Director. He worked tirelessly for MSBOA and for the school bus industry in Minnesota and nationally.

Meanwhile, Dick Plahn of Willmar Bus Lines won the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the school bus industry. He is also secretary treasurer of the Minnesota Charter Bus Operator's Association.

 

Shelley Jonas, the executive director of MSBOA, said Plahn trace his school bus career back to 1972, when he worked for Chuck Hey at Willmar Bus Service. Plahn purchased the company from Hey in 1986 and ran both school bus and charter bus operations until selling the company in 2004.

 

Plahn also served on the MSBOA Board of Directors for nine years, served on the National School Transportation Association Finance Committee and is a recipient of the NSTA Golden Merit Award.