Executive Team

Jim Switzer

Jim Switzer, President and CEO

Jim Switzer is President, CEO and Co-founder of Switzer-Carty Transportation Inc. Jim has spent his over 35-year business career in school busing.

Jim began his career with Babcock Bus Lines, a family-owned business in Niagara that won national recognition for service delivery. When Babcock Bus Lines was sold to Laidlaw in 1999, Jim’s energy, enthusiasm and focus on customer service and employee satisfaction earned him numerous promotions within Laidlaw. He became Vice-President of Operations within one year and was ultimately named Senior Vice-President of the Canadian Region overseeing all operations across Canada for Laidlaw. Laidlaw was acquired by First Group PLC in 2007, and Jim was appointed President of First Student Canada, responsible for all Canadian school bus operations with a fleet of over 12,000 buses.

Throughout his career, Jim has taken an active role in industry affairs and associations including the Ontario School Bus Association where he acted as both a Director (1997–2002) and as President (1999–2001).

Jim has built a reputation of treating people fairly, with dignity and respect. His unique approach to leadership with his people and delivering a high-quality service to customers has generated success over his 30+-year career. As President and CEO of Switzer-Carty Transportation Inc., Jim continues that practise for customers and his employees to maintain this operating philosophy in the school bus industry.

Doug Carty headshot

Doug Carty, Co-founder

Doug Carty is Co-founder of Switzer-Carty Transportation Inc. Doug has been involved in transportation since 1990 when he joined Canadian Airlines in its finance organization and where he ultimately became Chief Financial Officer.

As CFO, Doug was intimately involved in all aspects of strategy and finance and was a key part of the sale of Canadian Airlines to Air Canada. Doug went on to be CFO for Atlas Air, an all cargo airline.

In 2003 Doug joined Laidlaw International as CFO as it emerged from a difficult two-year financial re-organization. During that time, Laidlaw International undertook significant transactions including the sale of its health care investments, material improvements in its Greyhound subsidiary operating results, a listing on the New York Stock Exchange and shareholder friendly returns on capital.

In 2006 Doug was appointed President and CEO of Laidlaw’s school bus operations in North America which had 40,000 buses, 45,000 employees, and contracts in 38 states and six provinces.

Dan Maradin

Dan Maradin, Chief Operating Officer

Dan Maradin, Vice President, Operations, has been involved in the school bus business for over 30 years.

He started out with Laidlaw in the Management in Development program and held progressive roles at Laidlaw, including Operations Manager, Branch Manager and a regional General Manager. Dan’s operational experience stems from performing and knowing the grassroots functions and understanding the impact of these on customers and employees.

Dan takes pride in being process-driven with a high level of customer satisfaction. In 2007, Dan blended his operational experience with technology innovation to lead the effort at Laidlaw in implementing on-board technology to support a new branch operation platform. This new approach to school bus operations leverages technology, such as GPS, to enhance the customer service experience and create efficient operations.

As a recognized leader in school bus technology, Dan brings a unique perspective on leveraging technology for the benefit of Switzer-Carty and ultimately for the consortium and our passengers.

Nick McRae

Nick McRae, Vice President, Operations

Nick McRae, Vice President, Operations, continues the tradition of school bus transportation services spanning 3 generations.

Formerly leading Roxborough Transportation (acquired by Switzer-CARTY Transportation in 2023) Nick brings operations leadership acumen honed in the Ottawa market. This extends beyond school bus services to include expertise in the coach bus and transit line segments.

Curious and forward-thinking, highly engaged with staff, partners and stakeholders, with hands-on involvement in the professional community and charitable causes related to children, education and health.

Nick brings the same values and dedication to exceptional service Switzer-CARTY Transportation customers have come to expect.

Kate Clutterbuck

Kate Clutterbuck, Chief Financial Officer

Kate Clutterbuck is the CFO of Switzer-CARTY Transportation. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA,CA).

Prior to joining Switzer-CARTY, Kate developed expertise in the transportation industry while working as the Director of Finance, and previously the Director of Financial Planning, at Porter Airlines.

Kate began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Vancouver focusing her skills in the areas of Assurance and Business Advisory Services, as well as Corporate Finance and Investment Banking.  She held analyst and management roles at BC Hydro and Power Authority as part of the Financial Reporting and Planning group, where she was primarily engaged with forecasting and budgeting.

In addition to strong leadership skills, Kate brings her attention to detail and thorough knowledge of financial management to the role of CFO.  Kate oversees Switzer-Carty’s accounting practices, internal controls, reporting and financial planning and analysis.  At Switzer-Carty, she acts a a strategic advisor in banking relationships and capital structure planning and implementation.

Rich Bagdonas

Rich Bagdonas, Vice President, Business Development

Rich Bagdonas, is Vice President of Business Development at Switzer-CARTY Transportation.

Rich has 25 years’ experience in student transportation and transit systems. He has held progressively senior roles in operations, human resources and business development. He draws from vast experience gained at Laidlaw, subsequently First Student and now leads with our Executive Team.

Prior to joining Switzer-CARTY, he was Senior Director of Operations and Organizational Development for First Transit overseeing the Canadian Region, with particular focus on Western Canada.

This experience, combined with his experience in the public sector while working at a school board, makes him uniquely qualified for this role at Switzer-CARTY.

Regional Management Team

John Giannone

Director of Maintenance

John has over 40 years’ experience in student transportation leading the maintenance teams for large fleet operators including Laidlaw, First Student and Stock Transportation.

John has also served on the D250 industry standards committee for many years. John’s extensive knowledge and experience in managing fleet maintenance is respected within the school bus industry across Canada.

Vikki Manning

Director of Safety and Training

Vikki has over 20 years’ experience in student transportation working both in operations and safety. Starting as a school bus driver and progressively earning promotions through her leadership ability, she has successfully integrated that experience and leadership ability into her Director of Safety and Training role. Vikki has been instrumental in creating the Switzer-CARTY driver training program and we are proud that our course was among the first to be approved by the Province of Ontario under the updated provincial training standards. Vikki has a passion for safety that is infectious and leads the safety team with a vision of Switzer-CARTY’s guiding principles.