TOLEDO, OH --- An American flag was recently flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. at the request of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in honor of the public safety efforts for a father-son team at Gardian Angel, LLC.
Steve Gardner and Andrew Gardner are two Toledoans who help make the safest vehicle on the road even safer for children using their patented technology which has received national attention by lawmakers and school districts across the country. The Gardian Angel school bus safety lighting system is light years ahead of the competition when it comes to protecting students as they load and unload the school bus.
Andrew Gardner posing with flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol holding certificate of authenticity which shows the request of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Steve and Andrew Gardner received a package from the United States Postal Service earlier this week from Nancy Pelosi’s office, which was labeled as public document and official business from the U.S. House of Representatives. Inside the package was a manila envelope with the words that read, “Certificate THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in the upper left hand corner. Under the manila envelope was a white cardboard box with some identification information located on only one side of the box which included a printed sticker with text that read, “PELOSI, NANCY. Rm H-1236” and a handwritten “1236” in permanent marker.
Inside the white cardboard box was a folded cotton United States of America flag which measured 5 by 8 feet. It had sewn stripes and embroidered stars along with two brass grommets. Underneath the flag were care instructions for the flag. Gardian Angel, LLC founder Steve Gardner said, “I’m so completed honored.”
The manila envelope contained a certificate. The dedication message on the certificate read, "THE FLAG of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the United States Capitol. This flag was flown at the request of the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, for Steve and Andrew Gardner.” The certificate of authenticity also included its own specific lot number and was certified from the Architect of the Capitol (signed J. Brett Blanton). Andrew Gardner, commented “This is something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. We are truly humbled to be individually named in this document and to be given such recognition by one of the most powerful women in American political history is just amazing. Thank you, Madam Speaker."
The two men and their patented invention from Toledo, Ohio made history several times. The story of Gardian Angel, LLC and its lighting system are showcased in a digital time capsule at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Read about the Gardian Angel through the Andrew’s Achievements with link shown below:
Aside from this great honor and individual personal recognition by the Speaker of the House, and already getting their story in the Smithsonian, the Gardners have done other amazing things. Steve and Andrew Gardner helped the National Transportation Safety Board by providing the NTSB with evidence for their federal investigation into the 2018 fatal Rochester, Indiana school bus crash caused by Alyssa Shepherd. The Gardner's evidence earned a spot in four reports to the federal investigation which includes the final NTSB report. Some of the final recommendations include the company's efforts to include their proactive school bus safety lighting system.
If that wasn't enough, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) now Public Law 117-58 includes an evaluation of the patented Gardian Angel school bus safety lighting system among other technologies as it pertains to section 24110 in 135 statue 811 in the review of laws, safety measures and technologies relating to school buses.
Steve Gardner, Founder of Gardian Angel, LLC and inventor of the Gardian Angel school bus safety lighting system.
Steve Gardner has a prominent background in the transportation industry. Steve is a former school bus mechanic for twenty years at the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, who wrenched his way into a fleet maintenance supervisor position for another 15 years. He was a licensed mechanic in Michigan, and was an ASE master technician in heavy trucks and school buses as well. Mr. Gardner was an active member in the Ohio School Bus Mechanics association for over 25 years. Steve is credited with organizing the first mock school bus disaster in the state of Ohio in 1996, which involved mentally and physically challenged individuals. He is also the inventor of the Gardian Angel school bus safety lighting system which he came up with as a solution after he learned about a 15-year-old girl who was killed while crossing the street to catch a school bus in Sylvania, Ohio. His solution is a simple lighting system that shines a path on the ground in front of the bus so that students are seen in the darkness as they cross the street and to give motorists a better understanding to stop and watch for kids loading and unloading to prevent any future injuries and or fatalities, and maybe even avoid one of those tickets issued by law enforcement through the controversial camera companies. Steve Gardner spoke at the 2013 National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) annual conference, where he demonstrated the Gardian Angel school bus lighting system for State Directors, the State and National Associations Council, the Supplier Council, along with other nationally recognized experts and associates. Since then, his credibility and the success of his invention, Gardian Angel, has only increased.
Andrew Gardner, Director of Marketing for Gardian Angel, LLC
Andrew Gardner is the Director of Marketing for Gardian Angel, LLC. He is Steve Gardner's youngest son. He's an accomplished marketing professional with over a decade's experience. Andrew’s business management, combined with over a decade of vast practical experience in marketing and sales, have given him the skills and strategic vision to develop and execute successful marketing strategies. Andrew grew Gardian Angel, LLC from its inception in January 2010 with his father. Andrew Gardner advised, helped established, and provided many marketing efforts for Gardian Angel, LLC including the web design, development and implementation of marketing strategy, and managing social media channels.
The Gardian Angel school bus lighting system is now currently available as optional equipment to school buses in the following 25 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
For more information, go to www.gardianangelllc.com and be sure to like Gardian Angel, LLC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GardianAngelLLC/
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