Bob Zanotti will be the first non-family leader since Roland (Rollie) and Pearl Bast founded the company in 1957 with just four school buses serving the newly-created Germantown School District.
Richfield, Wis.-based GO Riteway Transportation Group announced the appointment of Bob Zanotti as its new president. Zanotti will be the first non-family leader since Roland (Rollie) and Pearl Bast founded the company in 1957 with just four school buses serving the newly-created Germantown School District.
The company is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2017 and today has over 1,350 employees and 1,090 vehicles, operating out of 18 Wisconsin locations. It services 27 school districts, including the newly-awarded Elmbrook School District. The commercial services division operates 38 airport shuttles, 31 motorcoaches, 30 executive sedans, and 21 mini-coaches.
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“Thanks to the efforts of our employees, GO Riteway has been fortunate to experience significant growth,” said Ron Bast, chairman of the board of GO Riteway’s family ownership group. “Our organization has grown in both size and complexity due to people, honesty, and hard work. We hire good people and let them do what they do best.”
“Our family has recognized the need for professional management to help us continue to grow as we move into the next chapter of our company,” said Wendy Bast, a third generation family co-owner of GO Riteway and vice chair. “Fortunately, we have found someone who is not only a highly qualified manager, but a strong leader who closely aligns with the values of our family and how we want our company run.”
The Bast family has owned Go Riteway since 1957. Pictured (clockwise from back left) Safety Director David Butcher along with RJ, Ronald, Rochelle, and Wendy Bast.
Zanotti credits his early management career experiences at Federal Express Corp. with his leadership approach. “Focusing on treating employees with consideration and respect is the best way to deliver outstanding service to customers,” he said. “GO Riteway has a rich history of providing exceptional customer service and we all expect that to continue as we grow.”
Since leaving FedEx, Zanotti has been president of two privately held local companies in southeast Wisconsin. He is a native of Kenosha, Wis., and a U.S. Army veteran.
“We’re proud of the company we built,” Ron Bast added. “We’ve tried to do the right things and thank all of our past, present, and future employees. We will continue with good smart growth for the sustainable future and want employees to be proud of saying they work for GO Riteway.”
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