This Zum Mechanic Rescues Dogs, Loves Motorcycle Road Trips — and Has Kept School Buses Safe for 25 Years

Each morning well before sunrise, the first person to arrive at Zūm’s bus yard in Howard County, MD, is Rob Dennis, a mechanic who has dedicated most of his career to keeping school buses in top shape.

“You have to think about your kids riding the bus when you work on it,” says Dennis, a Lead Technician at Zum with more than 25 years of experience working on school buses and training others. “You can’t bypass anything — you have to think of safety.”

Dennis, an Army veteran with a lifelong passion for anything on wheels, arrives at work by 3:30 a.m. to open the gate. He and his team maintain about 175 Zum buses for Howard County Public Schools.

“Our drivers know they are in safe hands when they are on the road because of the level of service Rob brings,” says John Gray, General Manager at Zum. “He is out in the yard before service starts, ensuring the fleet is ready, and is with the drivers during pulls out to take care of any issues.” 

“If they have any questions — a jumpstart, a light out, headlight, window buzzers, anything like that — I take care of it,” Dennis says.

Working on vehicles runs in his family: Dennis’s father owned a trucking company, and his stepfather ran a shop in Bowie, MD, for 50 years. His two younger brothers also shared his passion for engines.

“Growing up, we built cars — you could buy them for $500, $600,” he says. “Most of them were Mustangs, Chevelles, Camaros.”

Dennis says he came to Zum because he had previously worked with the fleet manager, Mel Jacob, and was eager to work alongside him again.

“I’ve known Mel for 20 years, and I have his back,” Dennis says. “If he needs it, I get it done.”

Dennis says he enjoys interacting with Zum drivers and appreciates how his job requires him to keep up with the latest advancements in technology.

“You’re always learning, and it’s always a challenge because they’re changing these buses so fast now,” he says. “They’re changing the computers in them and stuff like that, to where you can’t just listen to a motor. You have to know where to go and what to look for.” 

In his free time, Dennis spends time with family — he has two kids and two grandchildren — and his dogs, which include Lola, his beloved dog of 16 years. Dennis is passionate about helping animals and estimates has fostered about 60 dogs over the years.

Dennis also likes to spend weekends riding his custom motorcycle, which has taken him all over the country.

“I do day trips and weekend trips all through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina,” he says. “Every year I do a one- or two-week road trip. Last year, I went out to Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota. I went to Yellowstone.” 

“Rob is a humble man who has proudly served his country, his community and his company,” Gray says. “He brings a high level of professionalism, dedication and integrity to the job.”

He adds, “Thank you, Rob, for being fantastic every day!”