SCHENECTADY, N.Y. and RENO, Nev. — The leaders of the six school districts recently named 2026 Top Transportation Teams winners will take center stage at STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada, where they will share the strategies, leadership lessons and culture-building practices that helped earn them recognition as one of North America’s best transportation departments.

The event marks the fourth consecutive year that Top Transportation Team winners have participated in a special panel discussion, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at how high-performing transportation departments attract, develop and retain outstanding teams.

Hosted during a Transfinder-sponsored “Lunch & Learn” luncheon, the session will feature an engaging interview and discussion led by Antonio Civitella, president and CEO of Transfinder, who will sit down with leaders from each of the winning districts to explore what sets their teams apart and how they continue to improve year after year.

Representatives from Franklin Square Union Free School District (New York), Franklin Township Community School Corp. (Indiana), Hoover City Schools (Alabama), Pembroke Central School District (New York), Rockwall ISD (Texas), and Wa-Nee Community Schools (Indiana) will discuss topics ranging from workplace culture and leadership to employee engagement, professional development and operational excellence.

“This is one of the most inspiring and informative sessions at the STN EXPO,” said Civitella. “The winners always provide valuable advice and the transportation professionals are always very engaged and ask insightful questions. These teams have built winning cultures that their employees feel proud to be a part of. I’m grateful each year the winners are willing to share a little of their ‘secret sauce’ with attendees. They understand that it is about helping us all get better at serving our communities.”
The panel has become a popular feature of STN EXPO WEST because it goes beyond theory and highlights real-world successes. Attendees gain firsthand knowledge from leaders whose departments were selected solely through anonymous employee surveys measuring culture, leadership, resources, incentives and career development opportunities.

This year’s discussion is expected to be particularly compelling with Wa-Nee Community Schools becoming the program’s first-ever three-time consecutive winner and Pembroke Central School District earning its third overall Top Transportation Team title. Their experiences, along with those of the other 2026 winners, will provide valuable tidbits into what it takes to build and sustain exceptional transportation teams.

The Top Transportation Teams program recognizes transportation departments that foster outstanding workplace cultures and empower employees to succeed. The winners are determined based on the results of anonymous surveys taken by employees. Created and administered by Transfinder, the program continues to attract growing participation from school transportation departments across North America.

To learn more about the Top Transportation Teams program, visit www.toptransportationteams.com.

About Transfinder

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is redefining transportation management through industry-leading intelligent transportation solutions and Transfinder’s proprietary AIO (Artificial Intelligence Optimization) technology. Serving school districts, municipalities, adult care facilities and public safety agencies nationwide, the company’s award-winning technology helps route one in every three students across North America—moving millions safely and efficiently each day. A perennial growth leader, Transfinder has been recognized by the Albany Business Review as one of the Capital Region’s fastest-growing companies and has earned a spot on Inc. magazine’s list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for 13 years. Known for its culture of innovation and employee engagement, the software and hardware company has repeatedly been named a Best Place to Work, Top Workplace and one of New York State’s Best Companies to Work For. Learn more at www.transfinder.com.

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