Our leadership team is dedicated to shaping the future with vision, expertise, and a commitment to excellence. With a deep understanding of industry trends and a passion for innovation, our leaders guide our organization toward growth, collaboration, and impactful solutions. Meet the individuals who inspire progress and drive success every day.
Elliott Carson is the visionary founder and CEO of Spring Bird, a company dedicated to revolutionizing urban transit with high-quality, heavy-duty buses. Born into the legendary Carson family, whose roots in the transit industry trace back to 1943, Elliott carries forward a multi-generational legacy of excellence in transportation.
Growing up immersed in the family’s pioneering ventures—including Cross Town Lines and major contributions to municipal transit systems—Elliott developed a deep appreciation for the role reliable, safe, and efficient buses play in urban mobility. Inspired by his great-grandfather Dean Carson’s ability to scale and innovate within the industry, Elliott recognized an opportunity to modernize fleet operations through both cutting-edge vehicle technology and a customer-first approach.
In 2020, Elliott founded Spring Bird, combining his family’s decades of industry expertise with a forward-thinking focus on next-generation transit solutions. Under his leadership, Spring Bird has grown into a trusted supplier of heavy-duty transit buses, as well as a leader in bus maintenance services—offering fleet operators a cost-effective way to maintain and deploy vehicle operations for efficient and high-volume transportation of people. Elliott’s vision for Spring Bird is simple yet ambitious: to provide municipal and private transit operators with the best in quality, innovation, and long-term support. With a deep respect for his family’s legacy and a relentless drive to push the industry forward, Elliott Carson is shaping the future of transit—one bus at a time.
With a deep background in fleet operations, transit solutions, and leadership, Tom Hoskins serves as the Director of Operations at Spring Bird. Bringing years of experience in fleet maintenance, vehicle rehabilitation, and operational efficiency, Tom plays a key role in ensuring that transit agencies and private operators receive top-tier service and support to keep their vehicles running safely and efficiently.
At Spring Bird, Tom oversees fleet rehabilitation projects, collision repairs, maintenance programs, and equipment upgrades, working closely with industry partners to extend the lifespan of transit vehicles and optimize fleet performance. His dedication to innovation, reliability, and customer-focused solutions makes him an invaluable part of the team.
Tom is passionate about helping transit agencies and private operators find cost-effective solutions to maintain and improve their fleets. His leadership ensures that Spring Bird continues to be a trusted name in fleet maintenance, transit vehicle upgrades, and operational support.
Charlie Conn brings over 35 years of leadership in transportation, logistics, and fleet maintenance to Spring Bird. Known for his deep commitment to customer success, Charlie has held senior roles at Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, Arizona Bus Sales, and A-Z Bus Sales—earning a national reputation for post-sale reliability and trusted client partnerships.
At Spring Bird, Charlie leads customer support operations across North America, ensuring every fleet—from municipal transit to private shuttles—receives the responsive, high-touch service they need to stay on the road. His appointment reflects Spring Bird’s continued investment in operational excellence and customer care as it grows into the nation’s largest transit bus leasing provider.
With a master’s degree in chemical engineering and over 20 years of experience in quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and process optimization, Kseniia Carson ensures that Spring Bird operates at the highest industry standards. Her career spans global manufacturing, auditing, and ISO compliance, with a track record of enhancing quality control systems and process efficiency across international markets.
At Spring Bird, Kseniia leads initiatives in regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement, ensuring that every transit solution meets the highest safety and quality standards. With a Six Sigma Green Belt certification and extensive expertise in ISO standards, she brings a strategic and data-driven approach to optimizing processes and integrating new technologies.
Beyond her technical expertise, Kseniia channels her passion for precision and design into her own interior design business, where she applies the same meticulous attention to detail that drives her success at Spring Bird. Whether optimizing processes or creating beautiful spaces, she is committed to quality, efficiency, and innovation.
With over 15 years of experience in office administration, customer relations, and operations management, Stacy Leahy is the backbone of Spring Bird’s day-to-day efficiency. She brings expertise in DOT compliance, payroll management, scheduling, and customer service, ensuring smooth internal processes and top-notch support for both staff and clients.
At Spring Bird, Stacy oversees daily operations, financial processing, and workflow coordination, ensuring that everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes. Her background in accounting, inventory management, and team leadership makes her an essential part of the company’s success. Whether she’s streamlining administrative tasks, optimizing records, or enhancing customer experience, Stacy’s organizational skills keep Spring Bird moving forward.
Beyond her professional expertise, Stacy enjoys exploring Austin’s vibrant dining scene and spending time with her granddaughter, balancing her sharp organizational skills with a love for great food and family time.
Kit joined Spring Bird because he believes in the power of smart procurement to drive operational efficiency and organizational growth. He cares about the details—and the big picture. Every supplier contract he negotiates, every part he secures, directly uplifts the field teams, accelerates project timelines, and ensures hundreds of riders experience reliable transit every day.
From standing alongside maintenance crews to reviewing vendor panels, Kit channels that entrepreneurial Carson-family spirit—blending legacy, innovation, and strategic foresight. His work enables Spring Bird to move forward faster and smarter—and drives the next chapter in transit excellence.
Justin Lloyd brings over a decade of hands-on experience in fleet maintenance and management, with a diverse background spanning both the public and private transit sectors. A dedicated and skilled professional, Justin has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and standards required to keep vehicles running safely and efficiently. His passion for working on buses and commitment to excellence drive his work every day.
As a proud disabled veteran, Justin brings a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and service to his role at Spring Bird. He oversees all maintenance operations, fleet rehabilitation projects, and customer relations across multiple Spring Bird locations. Justin is committed to implementing lean practices, staying current with evolving industry trends, and upholding the highest safety and maintenance standards.
A firm believer in continuous learning, Justin has completed countless training programs and holds numerous certifications in fleet maintenance, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. He is passionate about training and development—not just for himself, but for his entire team—ensuring that everyone at Spring Bird is equipped with the knowledge and tools to perform at the highest level.
Justin is deeply committed to making Spring Bird a leading and respected name in the transit industry. His vision is rooted in building a company recognized for its strong values, reliability, and unwavering dedication to safety. Under Justin’s leadership, Spring Bird continues to set the standard for excellence in fleet operations.
With over 25 years of experience in fleet maintenance, operations, and leadership, Danny Olivarez keeps Spring Bird running at peak performance. His expertise in fleet management, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting ensures our vehicles stay reliable and road-ready.
Danny’s career spans both military and civilian fleet operations, including work with the U.S. Army’s Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) and leadership roles in charter bus and transit maintenance. He’s a hands-on leader, streamlining maintenance workflows, optimizing inventory control, and mentoring the next generation of technicians.
When he’s not keeping fleets in top shape, Danny enjoys outdoor sports and hiking, always looking for the next adventure—whether on the trails or in the shop. His passion for problem-solving and exploration drives Spring Bird’s commitment to reliability and excellence.
