Ethan Castilla

Oversaw multi-site pupil transportation operations with $15M direct responsibility and $75M regional impact. Managed 350+ direct reports and supported 1,500+ employees across corporate and operational teams.

Key Achievements & Responsibilities:

• Led multi-disciplinary teams including General Managers, Operations Supervisors, Safety Training Supervisors, Dispatchers, Recruiters, CDL Drivers, and Bus Monitors to ensure operational efficiency, compliance, and service excellence.
• Directed strategic business initiatives to grow sales, profitability, and market share within the region, leveraging market intelligence and competitive analysis.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with corporate functions (Finance, HR, Marketing, Legal, Procurement, Safety, Maintenance, Real Estate, Route Logistics) to ensure aligned execution of operational and commercial strategies.
• Conducted financial and operational analyses to optimize performance across Customer Service Centers (CSCs) and support data-driven decision-making.
• Implemented Salesforce campaigns and mapping software for targeted client engagement and operational insights, improving regional service delivery and marketing effectiveness.
• Led engineering and construction of $1M bus depot, including facility planning, operational readiness, and staff relocation.
• Directed operational mobilization during critical scenarios, including facility renovation in House Springs, MO, and health hazard evacuation in Herrin, IL, ensuring uninterrupted transportation services.
• Managed occupational health hazard mitigation, proactively reducing risk exposure across multi-site operations.

Impact & Scope:

• Directly responsible for $15M in revenue, supporting a $75M regional portfolio.
• Oversaw a 350-person direct workforce and coordinated efforts across 1,500+ regional employees.

Directed multi-site school transportation operations with $3M annual management and $15M in secured contract value, leading 75+ direct reports and driving financial turnaround and client growth.

Key Achievements & Responsibilities:

• Reversed a budgeted $750K loss into positive financial results, managing P&L, invoicing, and operational cost controls.
• Oversaw full operational scope including bid development, safety and driver training, recruiting, payroll, and employee relations, ensuring compliance and high-performance culture.
• Successfully executed 24-hour emergency contract mobilization for a school district, retaining their business and securing subsequent RFP awards.
• Expanded existing client relationships, driving contract retention and service excellence through proactive account management and customer lifecycle oversight.
• Managed CDL driver travel program to support other Customer Service Centers, optimizing regional staffing and operational flexibility.
• Transformed local brand perception from underperforming to trusted community partner, enhancing reputation and stakeholder confidence.

Impact & Scope:

• Directly responsible for $3M in operations; secured $15M in contracts.
• Supervised 75+ employees, leading high-performing teams and fostering collaboration across all functional areas.

Directed multi-fleet logistics operations, optimizing resource allocation and operational performance across dedicated and common carrier routes.

Key Achievements & Responsibilities:

• Managed dispatch, load planning, payroll, and driver scheduling, ensuring efficient allocation of fleet and personnel while maintaining high operational throughput.
• Enhanced delivery ETA processes, achieving 98%+ on-time performance and improving service reliability for clients.
• Reduced DOT violations by 36% and increased audit compliance from 72% to 93%, strengthening regulatory adherence and safety standards.
• Produced weekly KPI reports highlighting operational trends, gaps, and opportunities, informing strategic decision-making and performance improvements.
• Oversaw dock operations, shipment tracking, and carrier communications, ensuring seamless coordination across all logistics functions.
• Maintained near-perfect operational data accuracy in TMW systems to support reporting, analytics, and process optimization.

Directed multi-state workforce transportation operations for Fortune 500 clients, managing fleet expansion, compliance, and strategic service delivery.

Key Achievements & Responsibilities:

• Managed transportation programs for Fortune 500 clients including Penske Logistics, DOT Foods, and Brook & Whittle Printing Co., delivering reliable, scalable service as part of employee benefit programs.
• Secured funding for fleet expansion, enhancing operational capacity and supporting business growth initiatives.
• Executed $1M, 1-year workforce transportation contract with a SaaS startup, expanding service offerings and demonstrating commercial and operational leadership.
• Oversaw financial operations, ensuring budget compliance, cost management, and revenue accountability across multiple depots.
• Implemented SHARE Mobility SaaS solutions to optimize scheduling, vehicle tracking, and operational efficiency.
• Monitored and enforced vehicle and driver safety standards in compliance with federal transportation regulations.
• Coordinated procurement and supply chain activities to maintain efficient fleet operations and service continuity.
• Established and operationalized workforce manager depots in PA, MO, and IL, ensuring regional scalability and service readiness.

Founded and scaled statewide Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) operations, overseeing corporate compliance, multi-site operations, and financial/revenue cycle management.

Key Achievements & Responsibilities:

• Established corporate entity structure, including entity protection, tax registration, corporate accounts, HRIS/payroll systems, and internal policies, enabling compliant and scalable operations.
• Secured Series A funding, obtained WEBNC certifications, HFS Med Car Provider License, and negotiated Managed Care Organization, assisted facility, and workers’ compensation contracts.
• Built and led statewide dispatch teams across Aurora, Peoria, and Ottawa, delivering monthly performance and safety presentations to enhance operational awareness and accountability.
• Maintained strategic hospital partnerships, ensuring safe, high-quality patient transfers and providing pre-arrival medical guidance (CPR, airway management, diabetic emergencies, feeding tube support).
• Implemented Samsara safety technology and developed monthly safety materials, strengthening fleet and driver safety compliance.
• Oversaw medical billing and revenue cycle management for Medicaid and commercial payers, including claim submission, eligibility verification, payment reconciliation, and denial resolution.
• Designed and executed comprehensive insurance and risk management program, securing $5M per-incident general liability (including abuse/molestation), workers’ compensation, and commercial auto coverage for startup operations through broker negotiations and corporate compliance structures.

Impact & Scope:

• Directed multi-site operations and statewide teams while establishing financial, regulatory, and operational frameworks from scratch.
• Enabled sustainable growth and compliance in a highly regulated healthcare transportation sector.