Q’STRAINT & SURE-LOK Present 2019 Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence at STN Reno

COMMUNITY NEWSAugust 12, 2019

Q’STRAINT & SURE-LOK awarded Diana Hollander, the Nevada Department of Education (DOE) program officer, with the Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence at the STN EXPO in Reno, Nevada on July 28th. It was the 13th consecutive year that Q’STRAINT – the leader in wheelchair securement – has sponsored the award.

Bud Fears, Q’STRAINT Midwest regional sales manager presented Hollander with the award.

“I can’t say enough about Diana Hollander and her 23-years of dedication to the Nevada DOE,” said Fears. “She has been a steady hand and guiding light in keeping Nevada focused on pupil safety.”

What is the Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award?

The Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award annually honors a school transportation professional, who goes above and beyond in their job duties on behalf of the nation’s schoolchildren, with a special emphasis on students with special needs.

The award is named after, Peter J. Grandolfo, the late Chicago Public Schools transportation director and NAPT board member, who was known for his passion and love of transportation specifically in the area of student transportation training.

Hollander Advances Nevada Student Transportation Agenda

Hollander has made tremendous inroads in the support of the Nevada Pupil Transportation system – which caters to nearly 170,000 students state-wide, in 17 school districts.

From advocating the installation of school bus lap and shoulder belts to serving as the president of the prestigious National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS); Hollander has played an integral part in advancing the Nevada student transportation agenda to where it is today.

A Special Relationship with Q’STRAINT

“Some of my favorite people have come from Q’STRAINT,” said Hollander. “My first interaction with the company was when they visited our schools and conducted free wheelchair securement training.”

Hollander appreciates the fact that Fears has always made it a point to stop in when in Nevada to provide her with Q’STRAINT product updates, answer technical questions, and share input on critical pupil transportation issues.

Hollander also values the Q’STRAINT National Training Seminar, where a number of her school bus transportation directors attended the seminar to learn the ins and outs of wheelchair securement training. She will be retiring this year after a storied career with the Nevada DOE, but her legacy will remain.

Perhaps Linda Grandolfo, widow of Peter, encapsulates Hollander’s career efforts the best: “She embodies the principles of Peter and has a huge passion for training, safety, and for drivers as well.”