First Student Technician Earns ASE Master Certification

Boonville, Mo. - A First Student technician is now part of an elite group. Randy Stephenson has earned the prestigious Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) master technician certification.

Stephenson is responsible for maintaining a fleet of buses that provide safe and reliable transportation services for the Boonville R-1 School District and Prairie View State School in Missouri. Stephenson has 35 years of experience in the transportation industry.

Currently, there are only about 1,400 ASE-certified master school bus technicians in the US. ASE is an independent nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying repair and service professionals. ASE master technicians must complete a series of rigorous tests to earn the certification.

"Earning ASE master technician certification requires years of hands-on work and learning," said David Weller, First Student regional maintenance manager. "We are proud to have Randy join our other master technicians in leading our effort to ensure excellence in our maintenance operations. Their dedication to the work, and passion for continued professional development, represent the best our industry has to offer."

Stephenson's location is an ASE Blue Seal shop, which is the highest certification given by the organization. This achievement recognizes a commitment to recruiting top technicians, supporting their ongoing training, and providing the best equipment for vehicle maintenance.

About First Student, Inc.
As the leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. First Student completes five million student journeys each day, moving more passengers than all U.S. airlines combined. With a team of highly-trained drivers and the industry's strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, route optimization and scheduling, maintenance, and charter services for 1,100 school district contracts. For more information, please visit firststudentinc.com.

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