Tina Hansen
Tina Hansen is a seasoned transportation professional with over 26 years of experience in the industry. Beginning her career as a school bus driver while raising six children, Tina quickly discovered a passion for transportation management and driver development. Over the years, she advanced to driver trainer, operations supervisor, and ultimately operations manager, where she oversees daily operations, manages routing and scheduling, coordinates onboarding with HR, and ensures compliance with all state and federal transportation regulations. Tina has also served as an Illinois state-certified instructor, teaching school bus driver certification classes and fostering safety and professionalism across the industry. In addition to her transportation career, Tina is the founder of Travelin’ with Gmama, a travel business she launched to help others plan memorable and budget-friendly trips. Drawing on 15 years of personal travel experience, she specializes in crafting detailed itineraries, finding cost-effective accommodations, and providing hands-on guidance for vacations ranging from family trips to destination weddings. Tina is committed to delivering exceptional customer service, making travel accessible and enjoyable for every client she serves. Outside of work, Tina shares her love of food and travel through the family-run blog Foods with Kevin, where she and her husband explore restaurants, events, and culinary experiences. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and godmother she balances her professional pursuits with family life, bringing authenticity, dedication, and a hands-on approach to everything she does. Whether managing a transportation fleet, instructing new drivers, or planning a dream vacation, Tina’s work is defined by expertise, integrity, and a genuine passion for helping others.
• Passenger Endorsement (CDL)
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
• Q straint
• School Bus Endorsement (CDL)
• Regional office of education - School bus instructor
• 1st aid
• Inteletravel
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to making others happy and giving them great experiences. I try to be a people pleaser to a point, because I want them to have the best time possible. Whether I'm booking buses for weddings and pub crawls in my operations manager role, or planning travel itineraries, it's all about providing excellent customer service. I'm community-minded, and word of mouth does wonders for my business. I focus on being true, authentic, and honest with people. If I don't know something, I'll let you know, and we'll figure it out together. It's a 'we,' not a 'you,' because when you go on that trip, you're going to send me pictures, and I'm going to be right there with you experiencing it. I research travel deals like it's my own money I'm spending, not just picking the first option. I want to give my clients the same care and attention to detail that I'd want for myself.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to approach everything I do with passion, integrity, and from the heart.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to build a strong support network—people who will champion you, offer guidance, and help you grow.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is expanding our client base and reaching more people who can benefit from our services.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are integrity, honesty, transparency, authenticity, and a commitment to providing exceptional service.