#259 – Sean McCormack | First Student – Technology, Safety, and Real-World Innovation in Student Transportation

Big innovation doesn’t always mean big headlines. Sometimes it looks like improving how 5.5 million students get to school every day.In this episode of Building Better, Brandon Bartneck talks with Sean McCormack, Chief Information Officer at First Student. They dive into the challenges of routing 45,000 school buses, the role of AI and EVs in improving safety and sustainability, and why “user-centric design” means something very different when your user is a bus driver in the dark at 6am.Sean brings a refreshing perspective on product development and leadership. He talks about real-world agile development—not the buzzword version—and what it means to test, learn, and iterate when people’s lives are at stake. They also explore the difference between flashy products and meaningful work, and how the most rewarding engineering problems often live in overlooked corners of our world.About Sean McCormackSean McCormack is CIO at First Student, where he leads digital strategy, technical operations, and innovation. Prior to joining First Student, he served as VP of Engineering at W.W. Grainger and CTO at Harley-Davidson, where he launched connected vehicle programs and led product innovation. His background spans enterprise architecture, e-commerce, and systems integration across global organizations.About First StudentFirst Student is the leading provider of K–12 transportation in North America. Every day, they help 5.5 million students get to school safely across 45,000 buses. Recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2025 Most Innovative Companies, First Student delivers a wide range of services including special needs transportation, route optimization, EV transition, fleet maintenance, and more.Key TakeawaysSafety—not efficiency—is the top priority in school transportationTechnology like AI cameras and EVs are improving both safety and cost long termAgile development and real-world testing are essential for effective product developmentListening to end users—especially drivers—is critical for designing tools that actually workThere’s massive opportunity in solving “unsexy” problems that others overlookLinks & ResourcesLearn more: firststudentinc.comFollow First Student: LinkedInShow Notes: brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/seanmccormackListen & SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotify