Locally Operated,
FAMILY OWNED.
ABOUT CPT
Born on the Central Coast. Backed by Experience.
At Coastal Pacific, transportation isn’t just about getting from point A to B—it’s about showing up, on time and ready, for the communities we serve.
Founded and based in Santa Barbara County, we’ve provided safe, reliable group transportation for over 5 years. From daily school routes to private charters, our team takes pride in offering service that’s thoughtful, professional, and deeply local.
Every driver is carefully vetted, professionally trained, and committed to the highest safety standards. Our vehicles are clean, comfortable, and maintained with care. And our team? They're just as dedicated behind the scenes—planning routes, handling logistics, and making sure your ride runs smoothly.
Whether we’re transporting students, supporting a local event, or helping a corporate team get to their retreat, we bring the same steady focus to every mile: service, safety, and peace of mind.
What Drives Us
Safety First
Every route starts with rigorous standards—for our drivers, vehicles, and planning. Nothing matters more.
Dependability
We show up on time, ready to go, and follow through—every single day.
Community-Rooted
Based in Santa Barbara County, we’ve built long-standing relationships with schools, families, and organizations across the Central Coast.
Professionalism on the Road
From background checks to customer service, our team brings care and consistency to every mile.
Dignity for All
We respect the dignity of every passenger and every driver. It’s a simple belief that shapes how we treat people—and how we run our business.
Meet the Team
-
![A man with long dark hair, sunglasses, and a beard wearing a light blue shirt leaning against a stone wall, looking at his smartphone.]()
Donald Kissell
PRESIDENT / CEO
Transportation, has over 45 years of extensive leadership and safety experience in the student transportation industry. Don began his early career working for an independent operator in western Pennsylvania. In 1985, after being acquired by Laidlaw Transit, Inc., Don held increasingly progressive positions within the company. In 1999, he left Laidlaw to operate an independently owned operation. Ten years later, he joined Student Transportation of America, Inc. as the Senior Vice President of the Western Region. His responsibilities included oversight of multiple facilities, 2,500 vehicles and a budget of $150 million.
Don has served on the board of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association and is currently a member of the California Association of School Transportation Officials. He is the recipient of both the Golden Merit Award for safety presented by the National Safety Transportation Association, and the Award of Honor, presented by the American Family Institute.
Don graduated from Saint Francis University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He makes his home in the Santa Ynez Valley.
-
![Portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a dark top, standing in front of a wooden cabinet.]()
Valerie Kissell
Chief Financial Officer
Valerie has over 25 years of experience in the passenger transportation industry. In Western Pennsylvania, she served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority overseeing the operation of the fixed route transit system covering twenty-one distinct municipalities. Relocating to California in 2010, Valerie worked as an independent consultant specializing in transportation solutions before moving into the non-profit sector serving as the Executive Director of Channel Islands Youth and Family Services before taking on the role of Chief Executive Officer at People Helping People in Solvang.
Valerie is actively involved in the community serving on the Board of the Solvang Senior Center, Friends of the Library of the Santa Ynez Valley and Past President of the Solvang Rotary.
-
![A woman with dark hair, wearing a black fuzzy sweater and white pants, sitting on a striped blanket on a couch, smiling and looking to her right.]()
Andi Leonard
Operations Manager/Certified Instructor
Andi brings over 32 years of focused School Bus Driver instructor and training to CPT. Andi has an unwavering dedication and strong work ethic to provide quality, safe and reliable transportation through her training and instruction classes. To become a California state-certified school bus instructor, Andi, completed the California Department of Education (CDE) Bus Driver Instructor Training Course, which covers teaching techniques, relevant laws, and program assessment.
-
![Portrait of a smiling young man with glasses and dark hair, wearing a black shirt, against a plain light background.]()
Miguel Chairez
Shop Supervisor
Miquel has 28 years of experience in fleet management, and he ensures that the CPT fleet is ready to roll daily. Miguel oversees a team of technicians to maintain and repair CPT’s fleet, equipment, systems, and buildings. He inspects and maintains all equipment, managing inventory, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Miguel embraces new technology and works with each driver, maximizing efficiency, reducing downtime and ultimately contributing to overall customer satisfaction.
-
![A young woman with blonde hair wearing a sleeveless blue denim or chambray shirt, smiling and sitting on a brown leather bench or sofa.]()
Ashlee Ujano
Operations Supervisor
Ashlee’s 22 years of experience and her attention to detail is apparent in how she conveys policies, procedures and compliance information to customers, staff, and management. Ashlee oversees and coordinates the daily activities to ensure smooth, efficient, and productive operations, managing teams, workflows, and quality control. Her key responsibilities include assigning tasks, monitoring compliance with procedures, troubleshooting issues, assisting with staff training and performance reviews, and maintaining a focus on health and safety standards.
-
![A woman with shoulder-length dark hair wearing a black sweater and white pants sitting on a striped couch, smiling and looking to her left.]()
Kathy Kerns
Recruiting Supervisor
Kathy has a rich 22-year history in the school bus transportation industry. Her passion for driver recruitment, hiring and retaining staff is evident in her work ethic and interpersonal skills. As CPT’s recruiting supervisor, Kathy manages the hiring process to find and attract qualified and motivated candidates. Kathy’s key responsibilities include developing sourcing strategies, maintaining relationships, ensuring compliance with policies, tracking recruitment metrics, and improving the overall recruitment process to achieve staffing goals efficiently and ethically.
Out and about with CPT.
IN THE COMMUNITY
We’re proud to be more than just a transportation provider — we’re neighbors, too. From participating in local parades and events to offering shuttle services we’re committed to supporting the people and places we serve every day.
