BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A first-time competitor won first place at the 2026 UMA Maintenance Competition.
Lance Salik from Hotard Coaches in New Orleans won the Grand Champion award at the UMA Motorcoach EXPO.
The yearly competition displays the skills technicians use to keep motorcoaches safe and running well across North America.
The competition took place on Feb. 13, with 36 technicians first taking a written test. The top 14 advanced to the hands-on round, highlighting their inspection and problem-solving skills.
‘Truly amazing’ experience
After claiming the top honor, Salik expressed appreciation to organizers and fellow participants.
“I appreciate all of y’all. This is my first time here, and it’s amazing,” Salik said.
He credited event organizers, vendors, and industry partners who supported the experience.
“The Maintenance Interchange and competition were truly amazing, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.”
Salik also acknowledged his colleagues at Hotard Coaches.
“Last but certainly not least, my work family at Hotard Coaches — they were there when I needed them most, and I’ll always try to reciprocate the time and effort they’ve invested in me.”
Hotard Coaches was started by the Hotard family. The company is now part of All Aboard America Holdings Inc., which belongs to the Kelsian Group in Australia.
Months prior to EXPO, Louis Hotard, who has helped with the event since its beginning, stepped aside because Salik was competing.
“The integrity of the competition has always come first,” he said.
While a newcomer claimed the championship, returning competitors again demonstrated elite performance.
Juan Velasquez of Windstar Lines in Carroll, Iowa — the 2024 Grand Champion and second runner-up in 2025 — earned first runner-up honors this year, extending one of the most consistent competitive runs in recent UMA history.
“It was nerve-wracking, but it was fun — very fun,” Velasquez said. “Me and Sean (Piersall, last year’s Grand Champion) got to go head-to-head in our grouping, and that made it exciting.”
He emphasized the strong sense of community among participants.
“When new people come in, everyone welcomes them. You see competitors open up, and that’s part of what makes this event special.”
Piersall, of Adventure Tours in Maryland, was second runner-up.
Rising Star Award, Ring of Honor Scholarship
The competition also recognized early-career technicians entering the profession.
Kurt Johnson, a technician with Lorenz Bus Service in Blaine, Minnesota, received the UMA Rising Star Award.
Sponsored by Stertil-Koni, the award recognizes technicians with two or fewer years of industry experience.
Johnson also became the first recipient of the Ring of Honor Scholarship, a United Motorcoach Association initiative created by veteran technicians to support education, training, and career advancement among emerging professionals.
Mechanical work has long been part of Johnson’s background. Inspired by his father, an aircraft mechanic, he began working on agricultural equipment before moving into over-the-road trucking and later transitioning to motorcoach maintenance. He said maintaining vehicles that carry passengers daily is a responsibility that requires constant attention and pride in workmanship.
Deserving of recognition
Sponsored by ABC Companies, the Maintenance Competition is a cornerstone of the UMA EXPO, emphasizing the work technicians perform behind the scenes.
Roman Cornell, CEO of ABC Companies, said the competition highlights how expertise directly affects fleet safety and reliability.
“This competition matters, and the fact that it’s part of UMA every year says a lot about what this industry values,” Cornell said. “The work technicians do does not always get the spotlight, but it keeps fleets safe, reliable, and ready every single day.”
Cornell noted that operational success depends heavily on maintenance professionals.
“Equipment matters, but uptime, safety, and reliability ultimately come down to the people in the shop,” he said. “The expertise you saw is earned through years of experience, discipline, and pride in the job.”
He added that ABC Companies’ sponsorship reflects a long-term commitment to technicians and industry partnerships.
“Whether you’re taking home an award tonight or not, you have set the bar high for this industry. ABC is proud to stand alongside the operators and technicians who keep our industry moving forward.”
Photos by Jill Kelly of Terrapin Blue
