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First Student Canada
Corporate Headquarters
3221 North Service Road
Burlington, Ontario
L7R 3Y8
One of the keys to ensuring that your contracted services run smoothly and efficiently is our management team, which gives you access to an exceptional breadth and depth of industry experience. Let us tailor our streamlined processes and proven solutions to your school district needs, to help you use your transportation budget most efficiently.
Our seasoned managers work together, drawing upon their shared knowledge base of insight and best practices, to meet your specific requirements. You can rest assured that virtually any challenge you’re facing is a challenge we’ve faced—and solved—many times before.
Carey Paster President
Mr. Paster has been in the student transportation industry for over 25 years. Beginning with his family owned school bus company which operated over 700 buses and subsequently purchased by Ryder Student Transportation. Prior to his appointment as President in April 2004, he served as Chief Operating Officer. He is a member of various school transportation organizations and sits on the Board of Directors for the National Student Transportation Association. He holds a Masters from Northeastern University in Boston and a BBA from the University of Massachusetts. His office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Charles Bruce Executive Vice President of Commercial Development
Mr. Bruce joined First Student in August 2005 and has over 25 years of transportation management experience. Prior to First Student and following a 20 year career with Ryder, he was the Senior Vice-President and General Manager for Ruan Transportation and based in Dallas Texas. He holds a BA in Agriculture from Lakeland College. His office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rick Vilines Senior Vice-President, Human Resources
Mr. Vilines joined First Student in October 2001 and has over 30 years experience in the human resources area including assignments in both unionized and non-unionized sectors. He has worked in the metals and textile industries as well as distribution and consumer products. He has a BS and MS from Western Kentucky University. His office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Gary Catapano Senior Vice-President, Safety
Mr. Catapano has over 14 years of school transportation and risk management experience. He is currently the Chairman of the National Safety Councils School Transportation Section and a member of the National Association of Pupil Transportation. Prior to his work in school transportation, he helped develop both onsite and offsite Emergency Plans and Safety Procedures for nuclear power facilities. His office is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jim Castelli Senior Vice President-Operations, Mid-Atlantic
Mr. Castelli has over 30 years of student transportation experience beginning with his family business which was acquired by Ryder Student Transportation and subsequently First Student in 1999. He has a BS from Keene State College. His office is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
Ron Howard Senior Vice President-Operations, Midwest & South
Mr. Howard too has over 30 years of student transportation industry experience. He began as a technician and following the acquisition of KAL Bus by Ryder Student Transportation 1991 became a Contract Manager in Danville, Illinois. He became the Region Manager in 1993. He attended Danville Community College and his office is located in Danville, Illinois.
Cal Hull Senior Vice President-Operations, West
Mr. Hull has been in the student transportation industry for over 30 years. He began his career as a school bus driver and following the acquisition of St. Paul and Suburban Bus Corp. by Ryder Student Transportation and subsequently First Student in 1991. He has a BSBA degree from Northwestern College. His office is located in Vancouver, Washington.
Carey Paster President
Charles Bruce Executive Vice President of Commercial Development Rick Vilines Senior Vice-President, Human Resources Gary Catapano Senior Vice-President, Safety
Jim Castelli Senior Vice President-Operations, Mid-Atlantic
Ron Howard Senior Vice President-Operations, Midwest & South Cal Hull Senior Vice President-Operations, West
