John Benish, Sr.

John Benish, Sr., Chief Executive Officer, is the founder of Cook-Illinois Corporation and has more than 50 years’ experience in the contract school transportation industry. Beginning with Illinois School Bus Company, where Mr. Benish worked immediately after graduation from Purdue University, Cook-Illinois Corporation has grown to 18 school bus subsidiaries under his leadership.

John has served as President of the Metropolitan Transportation Association and on the Board of Directors of the National Student Transportation Association (NSTA). Over the years, he has received a number of awards, including Contractor of the Year from the Illinois Student Transportation Association and the Purdue School of Technology Distinguished Alumni Award. John is also a licensed Illinois school bus driver.