LEWISBURG -
When kids get on the school bus each day, is your first concern their safety?
It is for Greenbrier County school bus inspector Jack Defibaugh who won a national competition and was named America's Best School Bus Inspector.
Defibaugh represented West Virginia at America's Best Tech Inspect competition in Texas and completed a written test and three timed inspections to win his title.
"When I won I was overwhelmed, you know, to go down and compete with everybody in the country and be known as the best in the United States," said Defibaugh.
Greenbrier County has nearly 90 school buses on 72 routes throughout the county.
"Mr. Defibaugh, he inspects all of those school buses to ensure that they are mechanically running properly," said John Curry, Greenbrier County Schools Superintendent.
Defibaugh attributes his national recognition to the high safety standards West Virginia has for its school buses.
"We are number one in transportation as a state, West Virginia, and I got to accredit that to the policies and procedures that we have in place as a state for inspecting school buses," said Defibaugh.
Defibaugh has been inspecting school buses for seven years and believes this award could advance him to the next level in his career.
"I've applied for a state inspectors job that came open and hope this will propel me on to that job," said Defibaugh.
The director of transportation said Defibaugh's work is invaluable.
"Ordering all of our new supplies and parts and everything that goes on the buses. He's my right hand man. So I depend a lot on him," said George Brooks, director of transportation.
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