Driving Innovation: Grove Transit Attends Driverge Open House in Akron, OH
- Dan Reid
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Last week, Grove Transit’s President, Dan Reid, joined transportation leaders from across the country at The Transportation Alliance (TTA) Open House, hosted at Driverge Vehicle Innovations in Akron, Ohio. The two-day event brought together operators, vendors, and industry experts for hands-on learning, thoughtful discussion, and—of course—some much-needed networking.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Accessible Vehicle Innovation
One of the highlights of the event was an exclusive tour of Driverge’s vehicle conversion plant, led by President Mark Minatel. The group got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the development process of a new ADA-compliant conversion built on the Toyota Sienna platform.
From manufacturing details to design challenges, it was a true “peek behind the curtain” into how accessible vehicles are built from the ground up—something few operators get to experience firsthand.
Operators in the Driver’s Seat: Collaborative Conversations
After the tour, Jim Cermak hosted a roundtable with members of the Driverge management team. This wasn’t just a sit-and-listen session—operators like Dan had the opportunity to share real-world feedback on vehicle features that could make a difference in everyday service. Lesli Paoletti, Driverge’s Product Marketing Manager, took detailed notes as operators explained what works, what doesn’t, and what’s needed in future vehicle builds.
Jim also shared driver training best practices, offering practical strategies that providers can bring home to improve service and safety across the board.
Focus on Safety, Insurance & Securement Systems
During lunch, James Hawks of AMF Bruns took the floor to present on securement system innovations—an often-overlooked, but critical component of ADA transportation. His insights into rider safety, product updates, and user-friendly features sparked great conversations among attendees.
Later that day, Dan Reid co-led an insurance and safety roundtable alongside Jessie Coffey of National Interstate Insurance. The session touched on everything from insurance trends to loss control best practices, giving providers actionable tips to strengthen their operations.
Big Ideas and Bigger Connections
The Open House wasn’t just about products and policy—it was also about people. Attendees included representatives from:
• Ace Taxi
• Americab
Special shoutout to Jeremy Oliver, Ted St. John, Cliff Montemayor, Stone Pinson, Hayes Stills, Devo Bavishi, and Adam Ciganik for sharing stories, asking great questions, and helping move the industry forward. We’re especially looking forward to hearing more about Hope Town at Mobilize in Las Vegas later this year.
Wrapping Up with Training & Top Golf
After a full day of learning, attendees met up at Top Golf for a little fun and face time with new colleagues. On Wednesday morning, Jim Cermak returned to lead a CTAA Train the Trainer certification session—giving providers a chance to strengthen their own leadership skills in driver education.
A Word From Dan Reid
Reflecting on the event, Dan shared
"As usual, I left the event with a pad full of notes and best practices we're already putting into action at Grove Transit and GoRide. I also left with new colleagues I know I can reach out to if I need advice. These Open Houses always deliver real value. I've never attended one without walking away better informed and better prepared. It's proof that The Transportation Alliance is truly committed to driving value for its members."
Special thanks to:
• Driverge Vehicle Innovations for their incredible hospitality and insight
• AMF Bruns for providing lunch
• National Interstate Insurance for sponsoring the insurance discussion
• And all the providers who traveled from across the U.S. to make this event so impactful
The collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community spirit shown during this Open House are exactly what move the NEMT industry forward—and we’re proud to be part of it.