Full-Time
General Manager
Major Event Operations
Highland Electric Fleets
51-200 employees
Electrifies school bus fleets with subscription
Compensation Overview
$180k - $200k/yr
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In Person
 Operations & Logistics (1) |
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- Proven experience leading complex, large-scale operational programs with real-time service delivery components for major events.
- Strong operator with the ability to translate strategy into execution and manage multiple moving parts simultaneously.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including executive‑level interaction with organizing committees, governmental entities, school districts, municipalities, and subcontractors.
- Experience managing external vendors, partners, or subcontractors in a structured, accountable way.
- Comfortable operating in high-stakes, time-bound environments with significant visibility.
- Excellent cross-functional collaborator and communicator, including with senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to build teams and operational systems from the ground up.
- Extensive experience with transportation, logistics, or similar operations.
- Familiarity with dispatch systems, routing, or field service operations.
- Experience working with public sector or large institutional partners.
- Own end-to-end operational execution of Highland’s LA28 transportation program.
- Serve as a senior liaison for Highland to LA28/USOPP organizing committees, districts, utilities, and subcontractors, ensuring alignment on transportation planning, risk mitigation and contingency planning, and ongoing operations.
- Design and implement the operational model for service delivery, including routing, dispatch, and staffing.
- Coordinate sourcing, readiness, and day-to-day operations of ~500 electric buses in partnership with local fleet customers and a network of Southern California school transportation providers.
- Oversee the Games-time operating mode and manage real-time service coordination, which may include: fleet readiness, charging and energy planning, driver recruitment and scheduling, maintenance staffing, spare buses, reporting, and incident response.
- Ensure delivery against timelines, service standards, and contractual commitments.
- Partner with commercial leadership to drive sales momentum across Southern California with districts, cities, and other partners.
- Lead cross-functional internal project management and governance for the Highland LA28 program, including transportation games budget ownership.
- Partner cross-functionally with internal teams (e.g., Fleet Operations, Procurement, Finance, Sales, and Marketing) to ensure readiness and alignment.
- Define performance expectations, service standards, and accountability mechanisms.
- As requested, support the oversight of other external transportation partners Highland uses to deliver ongoing contractual commitments for non-LA28 customers.
Highland Electric Fleets helps school districts switch their buses from diesel to electric. It provides a full-service package to electrify school bus fleets, including project planning, budgeting, buying electric buses, upgrading depots for charging, and staff training. Instead of paying upfront, districts subscribe and pay based on the miles their buses drive, with the subscription covering buses, charging equipment, depot improvements, maintenance training, and ongoing support. This makes the complex process of fleet electrification more affordable and straightforward for schools. The company differentiates itself by offering an end-to-end, all-inclusive, pay-per-mile model that reduces capital costs and administrative burden compared with traditional procurement. Its goal is to help schools run emissions-free transportation by making it easier and cheaper to convert to electric fleets.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$478M
Headquarters
Beverly, Massachusetts
Founded
2018
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Galvanize committed $75 million on June 2, 2026 for national expansion.
- Erie launched 12 buses on May 21, 2026 with nearly $4.8 million EPA support.
- Highland crossed 10 million electric miles by June 2026, proving operating scale.
What critics are saying
- Maryland upheld MCPS's $168 million Highland contract as illegal on January 28, 2026.
- Highland depends on EPA Clean School Bus grants, exposing deals to Washington delays.
- If grant funding tightens, districts cancel orders and Highland's asset-heavy model stalls.
What makes Highland Electric Fleets unique
- Highland's EaaS bundles buses, chargers, software, and operations under one contract.
- LA28 selected Highland in June 2026 for 500 electric school buses.
- Erie and Johnstown projects show repeatable district deployments across multiple states.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Vacation
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -1%1 year growth
↓ -1%2 year growth
↑ 3%Highland Electric Fleets raises $75 million to scale electric school bus expansion. 2 June 2026 Key Takeaways * Highland Electric Fleets raises $75 million in preferred equity from Galvanize * Capital supports expansion of Electrification-as-a-Service across US markets * Funding accelerates electric school bus deployment and charging infrastructure buildout Preferred equity structure strengthens growth strategy. Highland Electric Fleets has raised $75 million in preferred equity from Galvanize. The deal lifts total preferred equity commitments to $150 million. It is the first investment from Galvanize's credit strategy. The broader strategy targets $1.8 billion in deployments over three years. The financing is structured in stages. It aligns capital deployment with fleet rollout timelines. Highland operates an Electrification-as-a-Service model. It delivers electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, software systems, and ongoing operations under long-term contracts. This structure reduces upfront capital burden for customers. It also creates predictable recurring revenue for Highland. The model is designed for municipalities and school districts. These customers face strict budget cycles and long-term infrastructure needs. Fuel volatility continues to shape demand. Rising diesel prices are increasing pressure on public transport budgets. This has accelerated interest in electrified fleet solutions across the United States. Expansion of electric school bus and energy infrastructure. Highland will use the new capital to scale electric school bus deployments. The company will also expand charging infrastructure across key US states. It is investing in battery storage capabilities. It is also building energy integration systems tied to grid services. The company is also evaluating selective acquisitions. Leadership has indicated early-stage consolidation in the sector. This reflects a maturing market for electric fleet infrastructure. Highland already operates under long-term municipal agreements across multiple regions. The Electrification-as-a-Service model is central to its expansion. It allows customers to transition without major capital expenditure. Payments are aligned with traditional fuel costs. This makes adoption easier for school districts and city fleets. Highland is also expanding its energy services offering. This includes integration between charging systems and on-site energy resources. These systems can support grid stability during peak demand periods. They also improve long-term operational efficiency. Fuel pressure and market acceleration. Rising fuel prices are a major driver of EV fleet adoption. Global energy disruptions have increased volatility in oil and diesel markets. Public transport operators are particularly exposed to these fluctuations. This has created urgency around cost-stable alternatives. Highland CEO Duncan McIntyre highlighted this shift. He noted that fuel price spikes can severely impact school district budgets. This has led to increased demand for electric bus solutions. Many operators are reassessing long-term diesel dependency. School buses remain one of the strongest use cases for electrification. They operate fixed daily routes. They return to depots each night. This allows for structured charging and predictable energy use. The use case also delivers environmental benefits. Electrifying school buses reduces diesel emissions. This improves air quality for students and communities. It is a key factor driving public sector adoption. Highland is positioned at the intersection of transportation and energy transition. It benefits from both infrastructure demand and sustainability goals. This dual exposure supports long-term growth potential. Scaling infrastructure and long-term operating model. Highland advances electric fleet infrastructure with integrated energy systems and scalable operations. Source: Created by Ventureburn Highland is expanding beyond vehicle deployment into integrated energy systems. It is developing infrastructure that connects charging networks with distributed energy resources. This supports more efficient energy usage across fleets. It also improves resilience in local power systems. The company has already completed more than 10 million electric miles. This provides real-world validation of its operating model. It demonstrates reliability at scale across multiple US regions. Highland also holds a high-profile public contract. It is the official electric school bus provider for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This strengthens its visibility in large-scale infrastructure projects. Galvanize views Highland as part of a broader energy transition thesis. The firm invests across credit, growth, and infrastructure markets. Its strategy focuses on flexible capital deployment into scaling companies. Highland fits this profile due to its asset-heavy, contract-backed model. The company continues to expand across states including California, Florida, Michigan, and others. It is standardising deployment across diverse operating environments. This includes urban and rural school districts with different infrastructure needs. Execution remains a key focus for management. The company prioritises reliability in daily operations. It aims to deliver consistent service across all deployed fleets. This is critical for long-term municipal partnerships. Electrification market trends and competition. The electric fleet sector is beginning to consolidate. Smaller operators are being absorbed or merged into larger platforms. This is driven by capital requirements and infrastructure complexity. Highland is positioned to participate in this consolidation phase. Battery storage and grid services are becoming increasingly important. Rising electricity demand from AI and data infrastructure is reshaping energy markets. Fleet operators are now part of this broader energy system. Highland is leveraging this shift to expand its capabilities. It is integrating transportation services with energy management. This creates additional revenue streams beyond fleet leasing. It also improves system efficiency for customers. The combination of transportation electrification and energy services is central to Highland's strategy. It allows the company to operate across both mobility and power infrastructure. This positions it within a larger energy transition ecosystem. Galvanize expects to deploy up to $1.8 billion across related sectors. These include power, manufacturing, and energy resilience. Highland represents one of the early credit strategy investments within this framework. To stay updated on crypto venture capital funding and market trends, visit its venture capital news section for more insights. Clinton Nwachukwu is a crypto and finance writer with an MBA in Artificial Intelligence and 6+ years of experience creating content for leading global brands. He turns complex topics into clear, actionable insights for readers worldwide. Disclaimer VentureBurn is a media platform covering the latest in cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, venture capital, and the startup ecosystem. Opinions expressed on VentureBurn are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Before making any high-risk investments in digital assets or emerging technologies, readers should conduct their own due diligence. All transactions and financial decisions are made at your own risk, and any losses incurred are solely your responsibility. VentureBurn does not endorse or recommend the buying or selling of any digital assets and is not a licensed investment advisor. Please note that VentureBurn may participate in affiliate marketing programs.
Highland Electric Fleets has secured a $75 million preferred equity commitment from Galvanize, bringing total preferred equity commitments to $150 million. The funding will support the deployment of electric school buses and charging infrastructure across the US. Founded in 2019, Highland offers an Electrification-as-a-Service model that provides vehicles, charging infrastructure, software solutions and operational support under long-term contracts. The company serves municipalities, school districts and fleet operators, aligning costs with traditional fuel options whilst creating recurring revenue. The capital will accelerate electric school bus deployment, expand operations in key markets and integrate charging infrastructure with on-site energy resources. Highland's electric school buses have travelled over 10 million miles. The company serves as Official Electric School Bus Provider for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Erie's Public Schools has launched a fleet of 12 IC electric school buses with charging infrastructure, partnering with Highland Electric Fleets through an Electrification-as-a-Service model. The deployment marks the district's first step towards electrifying student transportation for its approximately 10,000 students. The project received nearly $4.8 million from the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Programme. The electric buses operate at roughly one-quarter the noise level of diesel buses and significantly reduce student exposure to air pollution during daily commutes. Research indicates replacing just five diesel buses with electric models can reduce pediatric asthma risk for approximately 1,500 students. The buses feature fewer moving parts than diesel models, helping reduce maintenance needs and exposure to fuel price volatility whilst maintaining reliable daily service.
Greater Johnstown School District in Pennsylvania is deploying 10 electric school buses and 10 DC fast chargers in partnership with McIlwain School Bus Lines and Highland Electric Fleets. The Thomas Built Jouley Type C buses can travel over 130 miles on a single charge and will support daily student transportation. Highland Electric Fleets is providing the buses, charging infrastructure and ongoing operational support under a long-term service agreement that aligns costs with traditional fuel options. The charging infrastructure includes 30kW Zerova DC fast chargers configured to match route schedules. The project received $3.45 million in rebates from the US Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus Programme and $612,000 through Pennsylvania's Driving PA Forward Onroad Rebate Programme. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 30 April.
Belmont Public Schools adds electric buses to transportation fleet for 2026-2027 school year. Belmont Public Schools March 5, 2026 Belmont Public Schools has partnered with Highland Fleets to secure a $1.8 million grant to support the electrification of the district's transportation services. Through a 10-year agreement, Highland Fleets will use the granting funds to acquire electric school buses and install the necessary charging infrastructure to serve the Belmont fleet. The transition will begin with at least three electric buses in service by September 2026, with the long-term goal of converting the entire fleet to electric vehicles over the course of the contract, pending additional grant funding. Day-to-day transportation operations will be managed by Doherty's Garage, a long-established school transportation provider. The adoption of electric buses reflects the School Committee's policy commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and directly supports the Town of Belmont's Climate Action Plan (2009) and Climate Action Roadmap (2019). Both documents demonstrate Belmont's long-standing dedication to the sustainable use of energy, water, and other natural resources, a commitment that is formally referenced in School Committee Policy ECF. By transitioning to electric school buses, the district is advancing these established climate goals and taking meaningful action to reduce emissions, promote cleaner air, and model sustainability for students and the broader community. "The Belmont School Committee supports the district's work to introduce electric school buses," said Meg Moriarty, Chair of the Belmont School Committee. "This initiative aligns with our Sustainable Use of Resources policy and the Town's Climate Action goals, while supporting a cleaner, healthier transportation system for students and responsible long-term stewardship of district resources. I want to recognize the work of district leadership, who began exploring this opportunity more than three years ago, and the valuable collaboration and input from Belmont's Energy Committee throughout the process." This initiative was made possible through both a state contract as well as competitive pricing supported by grant funding, making the cost to the district comparable to a traditional diesel fleet. By partnering with Highland Fleets, a company specializing in school bus electrification, Belmont gains expert support in vehicle procurement, site development, and charging infrastructure, with start-up and operational logistics fully managed by the company. In collaboration with an established transportation provider, the district can modernize its fleet while continuing to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient daily service for students and families. Launching this EV initiative marks an important step in Belmont Public Schools' commitment to sustainability and student health. By adding electric buses, the district is reducing emissions, supporting Belmont's climate goals, and providing cleaner, reliable transportation for students.