SAN FRANCISCO Bus & Motorcoach Academy has received its first major endowment a substantial financial contribution from ABC Companies to maintain a business education program exclusively for operators, plus a sizable ongoing commitment during the next decade to assure the success of the program.

In recognition of the endowment, the board of directors of the United Motorcoach Association has named the academys program of coach operator continuing education in honor of the founder and chairman of ABC Companies, Clancy Cornell.

The Clarence Cornell School of Business within Bus & Motorcoach Academy has begun offering a core curriculum focused on key business-related issues affecting private motorcoach owners/operators, including fundamental and advanced business and marketing courses; financial management; safety and compliance, and human resources.

"This school, recognizing Mr. Cornell, is now providing educational opportunities specifically tailored for industry-centered learning," said Ken Presley, executive director of Bus & Motorcoach Academy and vice president of industry relations at UMA.

"This is such a unique opportunity to help assure the future success of our industry," said Dane Cornell, president and CEO of ABC Companies and son of Clancy Cornell. "The importance of a continuing education legacy is invaluable."

Clancy Cornell said he was honored to be part of the academy and its important learning programs. "We are always eager to participate in helping business owners realize their dreams, especially through personal development and education," he said.

Presley said the academy and UMA welcomed ABC's strong demonstration of support for the goals and ambitions of the program of industry continuing education.

"Consistent with Clancy Cornell's dedication to creating opportunities for all operators, we are honored and excited that ABC is supporting the efforts to make business tools easily available to the nation's bus and motorcoach company owners and managers," said Presley.

"The Clarence Cornell School of Business will enable hundreds of operators to develop their skills and grow the industry, an enduring tribute to a true giant of the bus and motorcoach industry."

Bus & Motorcoach Academy was announced exactly one year ago at Motorcoach Expo 2007 in New Orleans and officially opened for business in early August when the first classes began.

The academy was created by UMA through a partnership with the College of Southern Maryland, which specializes in distance learning programs. It is the nation's only continuing education program dedicated to private bus operators.

The academy has two principal components, the Clarence Cornell School of Business, which offers the Accredited Passenger Transportation Operator Program, with courses designed to prepare students for running a successful motorcoach operation, and a comprehensive curriculum for drivers, culminating in a certified driver program.

The business curriculum offers in-depth instruction covering a wide range of topics in each course, from business ethics to the basics of employment law. Through a hands-on approach, students learn how to prepare a business and marketing plan, understand the basics of finance, accounting and tax accounting using popular tax and accounting software programs, and determine return-on-investment and develop cost-control plans.

Additionally, safety and compliance and human resource courses explore regulatory, maintenance, safety and security issues, as well as human resource management, employee relations, recruiting, hiring and benefits and compensation issues.

Upon completion of program requirements, students receive a certificate from the College of Southern Maryland. Courses are offered in single units or individual courses may be combined to achieve the accreditation.

Similarly, the program for drivers provides a curriculum focused on driver qualification, vehicle maintenance, safety, security, and passenger issues through the academys Motorcoach Driver School.

For more information, registration, course descriptions and schedules, go to www.busandmotorcoachacademy.com.