Answering The Call Of Those In Need
Established in the early 1950s by Eric Christianson, Dean was born out of a recognized need for transportation services for students affected by polio in Lansing area schools. In 1969, the company was officially named Special Transportation by Lyle L. Stephens, a former Michigan State Police motor carrier lieutenant and a leader in passenger safety, with a focus on providing services to special education students and those with disabilities.
In 1986, Kellie P. Dean, who currently serves as Dean’s CEO, joined Stephens, leaving a position in the Lansing School District after 14 years. While working for the district, Dean was a teacher’s aide, special education teacher and special education administrator in charge of the programs for the physically or otherwise health- and hearing-impaired. Dean is a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Education and holds an undergraduate degree in special education and a master’s degree in school administration.
A Leader in Transportation Safety Emerges
In 1991, Special Transportation changed its name to Dean Transportation Inc. Dean has twice been named the top school bus company in North America and has received two environmental awards for its commitment to clean transportation.
Dean Trailways is Born
Shortly after establishing its new name, the organization expanded its service offerings with the introduction of Dean Trailways in 1994. Trailways was envisioned as a charter service line that would support Dean’s efforts in transporting Michigan’s special-needs students in the Upper Peninsula to the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing and the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint.
Trailways provides luxury transportation services to schools, universities and individual charter groups. Our services have grown to include charters, tours and sports packages. We work closely with individuals, tour companies, professional event organizers, professional sports teams, corporate event organizers, schools and major universities.
The Dean Coin
Dean Transportation and Dean Trailways were established from a mission to provide safe, reliable and efficient passenger transportation, and built on a commitment of integrity, trust and respect.
The heart of our family-owned, Michigan-based company is the people that make it all happen. This includes our hard-working, dedicated employees, customers, transportation partners and the community.
In an effort to recognize those individuals who have gone above and beyond and provided an outstanding contribution to Dean, the Dean Coin was developed. The coin signifies the value, gratitude and heartfelt appreciation in facilitating the goal to connect people to purpose.
Awards and Recognition
Dean is driven by the opportunity to improve the lives of our passengers and employees. We’re committed to being recognized as a leader in safety and environmental consciousness. We’ve been proudly recognized with the following awards and certifications:
Contractor of the Year, School Bus Fleet Magazine, 1995
Contractor of the Year, School Bus Fleet Magazine, 1987
- Champion Award, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, 2020
- Bronze Level Veteran-Friendly Employer, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2020
- Commitment to Diversity Award, Greater Lansing Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission, 2015
- Legacy Award, Special Olympics Michigan, 2015
- Gold Level Environmental Certification, 2010
- Corporate Clean Transportation Leadership Award, Clean Cities
- Celebration of Contributions to Regional Growth Honoree, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, 2010
- Philanthropist of the Year, Association of Fundraising Professionals and Greater Lansing Community Foundation, 2010
- Five Star Community and Five Star Investor Award, American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, 2010
- Corporate Clean Transportation Leadership Award, 2009
- Ballentine Award, St. Vincent Catholic Charities, 2006
- Socially Responsible Business, Lansing Business Monthly Entrepreneurial Awards, 1997
