Maurice Brewster has stepped into the spotlight this year, gaining national recognition for his leadership in the transportation industry. But even as accolades roll in, Brewster finds himself navigating one of the biggest challenges of his 23-year career.
The founder and CEO of Mosaic Global Transportation in San Jose, California, was recently named a Bay Area regional finalist in EY’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year program.
He is among 30 business leaders selected from more than 1,000 applicants in the Bay Area as a regional finalist. In June, he’ll travel to Monaco to speak on a global stage as part of EY’s World Entrepreneur of the Year event as a panelist, where he’ll share MGT’s growth story and his entrepreneurial journey.
“I’ve been asked to speak about how the EY (formerly known as Ernst & Young) Entrepreneur Access Network has benefited Mosaic Global and helped us scale for growth,” Brewster says. “It’s humbling. Of the thousands attending, to be elevated as a speaker is a high honor.”
Follows award at UMA EXPO
Brewster and his wife, Rhonda Brewster, who co-own Mosaic Global, kicked off the year with another milestone. In February, the couple attended their first United Motorcoach Association Motorcoach EXPO in Oklahoma City, where they were honored with the 2024 UMA Environmental Leadership Award.
The Brewsters joined UMA during the pandemic, encouraged by fellow operators to connect with a broader network of peers. Attending this year’s annual conference and trade show far exceeded their expectations.
“We have been pleasantly surprised,” Maurice says. “So many people saw us up on stage. It gave us credibility.”
That growing credibility has helped elevate MGT’s profile far beyond the motorcoach industry. Brewster has been involved in EY’s Entrepreneur Access Network for nearly five years, originally joining when the global accounting firm was seeking diverse business owners, including people of color and women, who were scaling companies and looking for rising stars mentorship.
“They were looking for entrepreneurs building something different, who wanted to grow and just needed some guidance,” Brewster says. “They were looking for entrepreneurs who displayed passion and real entrepreneurial stories.”
Through EY, Brewster says he gained access to strategic guidance, financial tools, and the kind of connections that open doors.
“When they make an introduction, people listen,” he says. “This has been life-changing.”
Still, the national recognition comes at a time of uncertainty. Earlier this year, Mosaic faced a major setback after the loss of a key contract, leading to layoffs and an internal restructuring.
‘We still believe in you’
Instead of being disqualified, Brewster says his honest reflection on how we planned to rebuild strengthened his standing in the competition. He shared with the judges his vision for MGT’s future and his plan to stabilize and regrow the company over the next few years.
It’s a paradox many entrepreneurs face: public recognition paired with private struggle. Brewster acknowledges the irony of being hailed for success while managing the toughest business year of his career.
“It’s strange. At the same time I’m receiving all these accolades, I’m also facing the biggest challenge of my career,” he says. “But that’s life. It’s not just a good year or a bad year—it’s a mix of both.”
At the EY Monaco event, Brewster plans to deliver a message centered on capability, resilience, and the importance of community support.
“I’ll be talking about the fact that it takes a village like EY that lifts entrepreneurs up,” he says. “Being part of a mentorship network and a supportive organization has made all the difference.”
If he advances past the finalist stage, Brewster will compete for the national Entrepreneur of the Year title at the EY’s Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Desert this November.
For now, Brewster is staying grounded, grateful for the recognition and focused on rebuilding Mosaic Global Transportation with renewed purpose.
“I’ve really learned the strength of our company through this process,” he says.and I am grateful for all of our employees who stand strong with our brand”
