Jon Thomas’ journey into the transportation industry began long before his current role as Maintenance Director for All Aboard America.
As a teen, he began working on engines, a skill that would set the stage for his career. A neighbor who worked for All Aboard America encouraged him to apply for a job there. That advice 16 years ago shaped his path.
Thomas started as a nighttime mechanic and quickly worked his way up. His commitment and drive saw him rise to nighttime supervisor, then daytime supervisor, and ultimately to overseeing all maintenance operations across three states and four locations.
His early career was a product of practicality and opportunity.
“I was still in high school at the time, so the night shift fit my schedule,” Thomas recalls. “High school was easy for me. I had an internship doing welding, which counted as three elective credits, so I was only in school for 45 minutes a day. The rest of the time, I was working.”
That blend of work and education allowed Thomas to save money and achieve an impressive milestone. He purchased his first home at just 18. Timing was on his side during the 2008 housing market crash, which opened doors for young buyers like him.
“It was during the 2008 housing market crash, so they were trying to get people to buy homes. It worked out for me. Since then, I’ve bought a few more houses,” he shared.
Thomas credits those early experiences, from building engines to managing night shifts, as foundational to his success in the industry, where he is a Maintenance Director at one of the largest motorcoach operators in North America.
Thomas impressed the judges at the 2024 UMA Maintenance Competition at the UMA Motorcoach EXPO earlier this year, winning second runner-up in the annual contest for the third time.
Bus & Motorcoach News caught up with Thomas to ask him about his career, the highs and lows and what keeps him passionate about the industry.
As Maintenance Director, what does your role entail?
I oversee four shops: one in El Paso, Texas, one in Midland, Texas, another in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and one in Mesa, Arizona. I try to visit each location once a quarter, spending a week at each.
What’s the best part of your job?
It’s fun. I enjoy the variety. We’ve also improved a lot with technology. These days, we can remotely diagnose issues, which is something we couldn’t do in the past.
How big is the fleet that you oversee?
I manage 128 buses out of the company’s total fleet of over 1,000 buses. We’re part of a corporation that also includes well known companies Lux Bus America, San Diego Charter, All Aboard America, ACE Express Coaches and First Class Transportation.
What repair job gives you the most satisfaction when completed?
I like solving difficult problems that don’t make sense at first – like when a mouse chews through a wire and you have to figure out what’s wrong. It doesn’t have to be a big problem, just a challenging one.
What about the most challenging part of the bus to work on?
Emissions systems are the most challenging for us right now.
Do you have a least favorite repair?
Not really. I enjoy all aspects of the job. Even the messy jobs remind you where you came from.
What makes you most proud of your work?
Knowing that the buses I work on are safe enough to put my own family on.
What would you say is the biggest challenge in your role?
Finding qualified technicians and getting them trained to meet today’s standards.
How much time do you spend on preventative maintenance?
About 80% of my time is spent on preventative maintenance, 10% on engine work, and the rest on random stuff. Preventative maintenance is key. It saves money and prevents issues from becoming bigger problems.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in this industry?
If you have a passion for it, give it everything you’ve got, and you’ll go far.
You’ve clearly had a long and successful career. Do you have any career highlights?
I’ve placed third in the maintenance competitions three times in a row. I don’t mind, though I’m not looking to give a speech if I win first!
How do you feel about the maintenance competitions?
I like them. They’re valuable for networking. I’ve met people from all over the industry, and now, if I have a bus issue in another city, I know someone who can help. It’s a great way to build connections.
Finally, what do you love most about your career?
The variety. Every day is different, and you never know what challenges are going to come up. I’ve traveled to 29 different states and a few other countries, so it’s always an adventure.
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