April 22 is Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and to celebrate, we talked to Stacy Woodard, one of NAU’s amazing shuttle drivers. Originally from Page, Woodard worked as a river guide at the Grand Canyon for 25 years and later became a helicopter pilot. He later shifted gears and found a career transporting people on the ground rather than through the sky. Read on to find out how he found his way to NAU—and make sure to say hi next time you’re on the AXEpress!
How long have you been working at NAU?
This is my third season driving at NAU.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I really like talking to the students. A lot of them have their headphones on, that is kind of the thing now, but there is a spot on the bus, a chair that is kind of off to the side from where I am driving, and I like to call it the hot seat. When students sit there, and they don’t have their headphones on, the game is on! I enjoy talking to them about where they are from and what their major is. I am very good at recognizing accents, since I used to be a river guide at the Grand Canyon and worked with people from all over the world, so when a student sits there and has an accent I can usually tell where they are originally from.
What made you become a bus driver at NAU?
After some years of flying a helicopter, I decided to shift gears and thought that driving a big bus would be a lot like flying a helicopter but on the ground.
What is a typical workday like for you?
First, we have to go through the pre-trip checks and make sure all is working well and that our buses are safe. After doing that, we head to the first stop and we are basically driving around in a circle taking everyone where they need to go. We check the rearview mirror a lot and make sure everyone is safe. We are always looking in the mirrors and are careful on the road. There is a lot of traffic, a lot of electric scooters now a days and they go right in front of you. You have to be on all day, and by the end of your eight hours, you are very tired.
You’ve lived in many different parts of the country. What has kept you coming back to northern Arizona?
My father worked for the government in law enforcement and his job kept us relocating. He loved the Lake Powell area and was always able to find a way for him and his family to get back to the area. When I flew a helicopter I lived in North Carolina, but like my father, I always felt a pull back to Arizona because of my love of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell and all of northern Arizona.
What do you like to do on your days off?
I am a guitarist and spend my time learning new songs and trying to create my own original music. I’ve also been known to smack a pretty good pickleball.
Can you share three things on your bucket list?
Perform music live with my two sons at a local venue in Flagstaff.
See art in Florence, Italy.
Last but not least, retire in a few years and spend time with my amazing wife Katie.