A management & maintenance magazine for school transportation fleets
Issue link: https://sbf.epubxp.com/i/402970
36 S C H O O L B U S F L E E T • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 Anna Borges Supervisor, Offce of School Transportation California Department of Education West Sacramento, California How did you get your start in the school bus industry? My family has been involved with school transportation since I was born, so it was a natural ft when my mother asked if I would be interested in working part-time as a bus driver. I was attending college and wanted a job, not realizing that this path would turn into a long-lasting career. I actually started driving a transit bus, became a state certifed instructor and manager, and then became the East/West Coast safety director for one of the largest contractors. What are your current job duties? I support the safe operation of effcient and effective trans- portation programs through training curriculum and data, in- cluding school bus, school pupil activity bus, transit bus and farm labor vehicles. I also oversee the training programs that the state provides through the Department of Education, which pre- pares instructional personnel to provide education to prospec- tive drivers. I also monitor the instructional personnel. What do you consider your top achievement? When I achieved the position of state director of California, which allowed me to effect changes in education and participate in the growth and safety for ef- fective transportation programs. My role as director allows me to contribute to the ongoing safety record in our state, which con- tinually affects the children we transport. Outside interests? I love discovering new winer- ies with my closest friends. I trav- el as much as possible to day spas for a girls' weekend, especially in Napa, California. Most interesting place you've been? I am very fortunate that because of what I do for the trans- portation industry, I have had the opportunity to travel exten- sively. Visiting Ocho Rios, Jamaica, this past winter was one of the highlights of 2014. Something people would be surprised to learn about you? I used to be a hair stylist. When she's not overseeing California's school transpor- tation program, Anna Borges enjoys visiting wineries with friends. Born: Norwalk, California Home: Sacramento, California Years in industry: 24 Fascinating Personalities