Coach USA announces leadership change

Coach USA has announced a leadership change. 

Current CEO Linda Burtwistle will shift to Executive Chair, and Derrick Waters, currently COO, will step into the CEO role. 

“After 7.5 years as CEO, it is time for me to hand the reins over,” Burtwistle said in a statement announcing the leadership change. “It has been my absolute honor to lead the Coach USA team through the many successes we have celebrated and through the challenges we have faced and overcome together.”

She added that she takes pride in how the transportation giant was able to “successfully navigate our way through a pandemic and remain viable, unlike many others in our industry.” She called that “a huge testament to the entire Coach USA family.”

Burtwistle and Waters will continue to collaborate as they take on new leadership responsibilities.

 New CEO joined Coach in 2021

“I am delighted that Derrick has agreed to become our new CEO, and I am excited to see continued progress under his leadership,” Burtwistle said. “In his CEO role, Derrick will continue to report to me, and I will still be very much involved in our strategic direction and growth plans. I look forward to continuing to be an advocate for Coach USA and to supporting the team.”

Waters joined the transportation giant in summer 2021 as COO after a 34-year career at UPS, where he most recently had been Vice President of Packaging Operations for the West Region, overseeing operations.

“I am extremely excited to continue building and strengthening the relationships I have developed over the last 18 months with the outstanding team members at Coach USA,” Waters said. “As we continue to focus on ‘Our People, Safety, and Our Customers,’ I look forward to what the future will bring as we explore new opportunities.”

The company also announced that after a long career with UPS, Tracy Roberts will take up the position of Senior VP of Human Resources.