This Safety Manager Moved Halfway Across the U.S. – And Stayed With Zum
Jasmine Jackson never thought her job as a school bus driver would take her across the country. But when she was asked to travel from San Bernardino, CA, to help train a new team of Zūm drivers in Howard County, MD, she said yes. When Zum asked her to help train drivers in Omaha, NE, she said yes again — and soon realized she didn’t want to leave.
“I knew this would be somewhere that I would stay,” says Jackson, who grew up in California. “It’s just more quiet and peaceful.”
Jackson’s travels also helped her understand how much she loved training other drivers. Last year she left San Bernardino and permanently moved to Omaha, where she was promoted to Safety Manager at Zum.
“I love being able to help other people,” she says. “Drivers appreciate the fact that my background comes from driving a school bus and being in the field, and they’re more able to understand when I coach them on certain things. And to show people where I came
from to now — that they can do it, too — that is important.”
As a Safety Manager, Jackson works closely with drivers to reinforce safety procedures and manages vehicle safety and fueling, among other responsibilities. Zum’s operations in Omaha include two locations with 239 drivers and 200 routes, as well as teams of mechanics, dispatchers and operations supervisors.
“I met Jasmine on my first day starting as location manager for Omaha,” says Gary Driskill, Senior Location Manager – Nebraska at Zum. “It was immediately obvious what she brings to the table and the value she adds to any team. She brings experience and an energy that is unmatched in every role she has had with us. She epitomizes everything our team values and needs.”
Jackson knows from experience that it helps to be as hands-on as possible and get to know everyone she works with.
“I think it’s better for drivers if you’re out there, wave bye to them, have a conversation with them,” she says. “I think it sends them out on the road with a better attitude. So I try to do that every day during a.m. and p.m. rollout — just go out there, walk the lot and speak to the drivers.”
When she isn’t working, Jackson enjoys spending time at her new house, where she loves to cook and hang out with friends. Recently, family members came to visit her from California.
After more than a year in Omaha, Jackson says she is happy and eager to pass on what she has learned.
“Putting smiles on the kids’ faces and just seeing them every day … you know, we make their day,” she says. “So that’s what I coach to my drivers now: ‘Say good morning to every single one of them and tell them have a good day, because it makes a difference.’”