Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Awards
Generic

Hope Watts

Lynchburg

Summary

Transportation Director and Marine Corps veteran with over 14 years of experience in transportation and logistics management. Expertise in fleet management, route optimization, budgeting, and implementing technology-driven solutions that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety. Proven track record of leading teams, streamlining operations, and implementing sustainable practices. Adept at managing multi-million-dollar budgets, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, and improving customer satisfaction.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Transportation Director

Lynchburg City Schools
10.2021 - Current
  • Oversee transportation for 8,000+ students across 20 schools and 6 private day schools, managing 67 bus routes and over 450 daily runs.
  • Spearheaded the replacement of 25 diesel buses with electric buses, saving the district $130,000 annually in fuel costs.
  • Manage a fleet of 108 buses, ensuring optimal maintenance, performance, and safety compliance.
  • Implemented new routing software with tablets on buses for real-time turn-by-turn directions and digital student tracking.
  • Launched a parent-facing mobile app providing real-time bus tracking and direct communication with dispatch, improving customer engagement.
  • Managed a $7M annual budget, ensuring effective resource allocation, cost savings, and financial transparency.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Reduced fuel costs by $130,000 annually.
  • Streamlined operational efficiency through improved routing and communication systems.
  • Enhanced safety and accountability with digital student tracking and video footage management.

Assistant General Manager

Greater Lynchburg Transit Company
06.2019 - 10.2021
  • Assisted in directing day-to-day operations and departmental oversight for a public transportation company.
  • Managed labor relations, employee assignments, and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • Administered Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs.
  • Acted as the EEO Officer, enforcing and developing programs to promote diversity and inclusion.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Oversaw daily operations and helped streamline organizational processes.
  • Supported the development and execution of programs to ensure regulatory compliance.

Distribution Planner

LSC Communications
02.2018 - 06.2019
  • Scheduled and monitored over 700 outbound shipments and 250+ inbound shipments to meet customer deadlines.
  • Developed a cross-departmental communication system for efficient tracking of shipments.
  • Maximized truck capacity to minimize loading times and shipping costs.
  • Authored SOPs that simplified cross-training and improved team efficiency.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Reduced shipping costs by optimizing truck capacity and load management.
  • Created processes that improved cross-department communication and operational transparency.

Warehouse Manager's Assistant

Gleaning For The World
02.2016 - 05.2017
  • Managed inventory, including weekly spot checks and monthly wall-to-wall inventories, ensuring 100% accountability.
  • Processed 300+ inbound and outbound shipments globally, coordinating logistics with international partners.
  • Cultivated partnerships with brokers to diversify the supply chain, improving cost-efficiency.
  • Built relationships with customers to improve service and encourage repeat business.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Improved supply chain efficiency by fostering relationships with international partners.
  • Achieved 100% inventory accountability through consistent oversight and checks.

Supply Administration and Operations Specialist

Patricio Enterprises, Inc.
09.2011 - 11.2015
  • Supervised redistribution of $100M worth of equipment, ensuring optimal utilization across various units.
  • Managed a $1B annual budget, supporting seven units and direct customers.
  • Maintained 100% accountability for 20K pieces of equipment, ensuring all records were accurate.
  • Led the transition to a new warehouse management system, modernizing operations and improving efficiency by 50%.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Saved costs and improved efficiency by modernizing the supply chain operations.
  • Successfully managed and tracked high-value assets, ensuring 100% accuracy and accountability.

Education

Master of Arts - Transportation and Logistics Management

American Military University
06-2025

Bachelor of Arts - Transportation and Logistics Management

American Military University
06-2018

Skills

  • Fleet Management
  • Route Optimization
  • Budgeting & Financial Oversight
  • Safety Compliance & Regulations
  • EEO & DBE Program Management
  • Technology Integration (Routing Software, GPS, Digital Tracking)
  • Supply Chain & Inventory Management
  • Project Management
  • Leadership & Staff Development

Timeline

Transportation Director

Lynchburg City Schools
10.2021 - Current

Assistant General Manager

Greater Lynchburg Transit Company
06.2019 - 10.2021

Distribution Planner

LSC Communications
02.2018 - 06.2019

Warehouse Manager's Assistant

Gleaning For The World
02.2016 - 05.2017

Supply Administration and Operations Specialist

Patricio Enterprises, Inc.
09.2011 - 11.2015

Master of Arts - Transportation and Logistics Management

American Military University

Bachelor of Arts - Transportation and Logistics Management

American Military University

Awards

Recognized by Virginia Clean Cities as a Clean School Bus Champion for electric bus implementation., Multiple performance awards for outstanding accountability and efficiency in logistics operations.

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Hope Watts