CINCINNATI — The National Safety Council elected First Student President Linda Burtwistle to its board of directors during NSC’s 2010 Congress & Expo this week in San Diego. She will serve a two-year term.

“I am honored to serve on the board of the National Safety Council,” said Burtwistle. “Their mission to prevent injuries and promote safety directly aligns with First Student’s core values. I look forward to working closely with the team to share ideas and best safety practices.”

Previously, First Student was represented on the NSC board by former FirstGroup America CEO Michael Murray. Murray left the company, which operates First Student in the U.S. and Canada for parent company FirstGroup plc in the UK, this past year.

NSC's mission is to save lives by preventing injuries at work, in homes, in communities and on the roads. The organization said it achieves these goals through leadership, education, research and advocacy. As a member of the NSC Board, Burtwistle will help oversee the organization’s strategic direction and finances, and she will also play a key role in approving policies and fundraising efforts.

Prior to joining FirstGroup America, Burtwistle was the chief financial officer at Virgin Rail Group in the UK and the financial chief of Coach USA.