Student Transportation of America's Keith Popp Earns National Spotlight as 2025 "Garage Star"

New Jersey shop manager recognized for expertise, leadership, and enthusiasm for the transportation industry

WALL, N.J., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Student Transportation of America (STA), a leader in school transportation, safety, and fleet services, is proud to announce that Keith Popp, shop manager for STA's Jordan Transportation/ Jordan Bus Service terminals in Butler and Pine Brook, New Jersey, has been named a 2025 "Garage Star" by School Transportation News (STN). This prestigious recognition, now in its 10th year, honors fleet management professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills in their bus garages and local community.

"Not only is Keith a talented mechanic, but he is also an integral part of the future of the bus transportation industry," said Rebecca Dollaway, NJ Area Safety Manager for STA. "His ability to lead his team, inspire future mechanics, and be an active member of the community is truly exceptional. He is the 'go-to guy' for any kind of troubleshooting, whether it's electrical issues or diagnostics, and he is a real asset in the field. With his level of experience and knowledge, our team leans on him often and today, we are thrilled to celebrate Keith for his hard work and dedication."

Popp's day-to-day involves working closely with terminal mechanics and technicians, monitoring the status of a 225-bus fleet, and managing key administrative tasks to ensure smooth operations across all terminals. He is often seen in the field, both diagnosing and fixing vehicle issues off-site and alongside his team within the shops. With more than 13 years of experience as a mechanic, including a decade with STA, Popp prioritizes staying current on the latest technology and best practices for keeping his team operating at peak efficiency. Recently, each of his stations were upgraded with spill-reducing oil and antifreeze reel systems, LED lighting to eliminate the need for flashlights, and new dryers and compressors that enable more in-house repairs like vehicle painting.

Beyond his role at STA, Popp also teaches Diesel Technology at Sussex County Community College, demonstrating his commitment not only to his team's success, but also to training the next generation of fleet technicians. After hours, he continues to serve his community, most recently by helping battle wildfires along the New York–New Jersey border as a volunteer firefighter. Combining his two passions, he is also known to work closely with local first responders on evacuation drills involving school buses, ensuring that first responders know what to expect should they come on-scene to a school bus accident.

"I'm honored to receive this recognition from School Transportation News," said Popp. "I love serving as manager for our Butler and Pine Brook shops and I am thankful for the opportunities it has given me to make a real difference in my community. What my colleagues and I do matters. We take pride in keeping students and drivers safe on the road, and that makes me extremely proud to be part of this hardworking team."

For each finalist, STN evaluated community involvement, credentials, industry development, leadership, level of responsibility, time spent on the job, training capability, regulatory agency communications, and value to the transportation program. STN will feature the "2025 Garage Star" honorees in the August edition of School Transportation News.

About Student Transportation of America
Student Transportation of America (STA), an industry leader in school transportation and fleet services, was founded in 1997 on the bedrock of family, community, and a safety-first mindset. Operating more than 22,000 vehicles, STA provides customers with the highest level of safe and reliable student transportation, management, logistics, and technology solutions throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company is focused on fostering a safety-driven culture that empowers its employees to feel proud of their work, delivering safe, reliable, and on-time service. Additionally, STA's commitment to positively impacting the health of our passengers and the planet is evident through its conscious decision to undertake each initiative to decrease its carbon footprint to help move the company and industry toward a greener future. For more information, please visit www.rideSTA.com. 

SOURCE Student Transportation of America