School Transportation News released its Rising Superstars of the school transportation industry and New York State Bus Distributors Association President and Executive VP of Bird Bus Sales, Robert Reichenbach, was chosen.
According to School Transportation News they have requested nominations of rising stars in the school transportation industry who are displaying leadership or innovation in their school transportation operation, but who may have not received the public or industry-wide recognition that they deserve.
This year, they received 68 nominations and from those they chose 10 individuals who they felt were truly rising superstars in the school transportation industry.
Click here to read more about STN’s Rising Superstars
Reichenbach got his start in the industry at just 10-years-old after his father, Rick, established Factory Direct Bus Sales/Bird Bus Sales in the late 90’s. He fondly remembers attending industry trade shows throughout the country and the early lessons of having to gain the respect of experienced school transportation professionals. His focus on safety began at an early age too, as he took part in school bus roadeos while in middle school, including one of the largest school bus safety events ever held at Shea Stadium – where he made sure participants had plenty of coffee and donuts for the day.
During his high school years, Robert’s hands-on involvement in the family business expanded. From washing buses, to changing breaks, doing oil changes and other maintenance, he developed a keen understanding of the “nuts and bolts” of a school bus and, most importantly, how to ensure that a school bus remained safe for students. He also delivered buses throughout the NYC area, and New York State. In fact, Robert was driving school buses before he drove a car!
Robert took breaks from the business to attend college, and it was during his college years that his ability to lead with distinction took hold. During his time at Sacred Heart University he was class treasurer and even founded a fraternity, where he served as its president.
Before attending law school, he worked in a more administrative capacity at Factory Direct Bus Sales/Bird Bus Sales, gaining invaluable experience and skills in the day-to-day operations of the business and in what it takes to run and manage a successful and growing school bus provider. Upon graduation, Robert returned to the business full-time taking on the role of Executive Vice President.
His immediate impact extended to the company’s involvement in local charitable initiatives and in helping families who work in the school bus industry. One example includes the establishment of the company’s college scholarship fund for students whose family members work in the industry.
Despite his youth, Reichenbach’s experience, knowledge and skill led him to being recently appointed President of the New York State Bus Distributors Association – a highly respected organization representing bus distributors throughout New York state. He’s the youngest person to ever take on that role, and as its president, Reichenbach is advancing the associations status as an industry thought leader and in supporting critical school bus safety legislation in New York.
Reichenbach’s youthful energy, lifetime of experience, deep understanding of the latest school bus technology, and new ideas will help propel the school bus industry in New York and throughout the country forward in the years to come.