Even after years of competing and placing in the UMA Maintenance Competition, Darren Haines still feels a rush every time he steps up to the challenge.
“It’s a thrill, man,” he said. “It’s better than riding a roller coaster.”
This year, the longtime technician and founder of JAG Motorcoach in Gladwin, Michigan, received one of the event’s highest honors: induction into the UMA Maintenance Competition newly established Ring of Honor, which recognizes master technicians who have won three Grand Championships in the annual competition.
Haines received the recognition during the UMA Gala Dinner on Saturday, March 22, at the 2025 UMA Motorcoach EXPO in Oklahoma City.
“Darren represents the very best of this industry,” said Kevin Whitworth, volunteer organizer of the UMA Maintenance Interchange and Competition. “He’s the guy who shows up early, helps other competitors, shares what he’s learned, and still brings his A-game to the competition floor. He embodies what this Ring of Honor is all about.”
Whitworth said the Ring of Honor was created to spotlight technicians who have demonstrated long-term excellence and leadership in the UMA community.
“These are the professionals raising the standard,” he said. “They’re not just winning, they’re building better, safer operations for everyone on the road.”
A hobby that blossomed
Haines began his career in 1991 when his parents introduced him to the motorcoach industry. What started as a side project eventually evolved into a full-fledged business when he and his wife Michele launched JAG Motorcoach two decades later.
“We had a couple buses, and we just did it kind of as a hobby,” he said. “It turned into, ‘Hey, those buses have got to roll, and let’s be safe and make sure these buses are roadworthy, so whatever it takes.’”
Without a backup fleet, every coach had to be ready each morning. “Michele would say, ‘I don’t care what you’ve got to do, that bus rolls in the morning,’” Haines recalled. “Those fast turnarounds? That’s what prepared me for this competition.”
A self-taught technician, Haines gained much of his knowledge from reading maintenance manuals cover to cover.
“I learned a lot by reading those books,” he said. “Way more interesting than something like a novel. ‘That’s why that works. Oh, because of this. Oh, that’s why they did that.’”
Attending his first UMA Maintenance Interchange was eye-opening.
“When I walked into that first Maintenance Interchange, I was like, all these people are doing the same exact thing that I’m doing,” he said. “They’re fixing buses, and they’ve got questions, and they can’t figure it out, too. I’m like, I thought I was the only one.”
A conversation with a fleet operator made a lasting impact.
“This guy has 300 buses, and he can see a pattern. ‘Oh, change this, it’ll fix it.’ And I’m like, I can’t believe it,” Haines said. “Then I’d go home, and I’m like, piece of cake.”
Still learning
Even as a Ring of Honor inductee, Haines says the competition continues to sharpen his skills.
“It’ll be cool to watch a couple of people that are gonna do it and see how they interact and see how they do it,” he said. “I think it will help me, as far as to keep my business rolling good.”
He recently returned to his training materials to stay sharp. “Just this last month or so, I reviewed my books again,” he said. “Just a refresher. Yes, I will definitely keep looking over my book.”
During the award presentation, Whitworth highlighted the dedication that sets Haines apart.
“Darren Haines is from the throw-back era of the Owner-Operator. Day one he’s helping clean a coach and dumping the restroom. The next day he’s turning a wrench and busting a knuckle. The third day he’s reminded to get a shirt and tie on because there’s a charter to drive. He does it all, Whitworth said. There was a story that circulated around Northern Michigan for years. Darren had been saving money to purchase his dream car, a Jaguar. When the time came to go shopping, he brought home a bus, instead. “JAG Motorcoach”
As he accepted his Ring of Honor recognition, Haines thanked the UMA, sponsors, and his support system.
“Thank you for this recognition—it’s an honor,” he said. “Thanks to UMA for the platform and ABC for the sponsorship – they’ve paid me a lot over the years!”
He also acknowledged his parents for introducing him to the industry, and his wife, Michele, for believing in the vision that became JAG Motorcoach.
“We love this industry,” Haines said, “and we’re thankful for UMA and the people we’ve met along the way.”
