Several state motorcoach associations elected new officers and handed out awards to members during their recent meetings. Here is a rundown:
The Alabama Motorcoach Association elected Elizabeth Wright of Wright’s Charters in Mobile as president; Alan Thrasher of Thrasher Brothers Trailways in Birmingham was elected vice president; John Adams of Southern Coaches in Dothan was elected secretary/treasurer; and Frank Leyden assumed the position of immediate past president.
Bud Hale of Anchor Transportation in Tuscumbia was welcomed as a newly elected director.
The Georgia Motorcoach Operators Association board welcomed Bill Leonard of Prevost Car as its coach representative.
The association’s members also voted Tim Guldin of CH Bus Sales/Temsa as Outstanding Associate of the Year.
The South Central Motorcoach Operators Association board welcomed newly elected directors Lori Guyton of Dixieland Tours in Baton Rouge, La., and Donna Maynes of Road Runner Charters in Hurst, Texas.
The association also presented the Life Membership in South Central Motorcoach Association award to Jim Pitstick, who is retiring from Tri-City Charter in Bossier City, La.
The Joint SCMA, GMOA and AMA Operator of the Year award was presented to Michelle Mueller of Jazzed Up Destination Services & Tours in New Orleans; the Associate of the Year award was presented to Scott Poland of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau in Arlington, Texas; and the Rookie of the Year award was presented to Andy Lengsas of Medieval Times Dinner Tournament in Lawrenceville, Ga.
The Motorcoach Association of South Carolina board welcomed Doug Woodie of Cross Country Tours in Spartanburg as a new member and Page Large of Motor Coach Industries as its coach representative.
The association also presented the Legacy Award to John Cauley of Jean’s Bus Service in Greenville, the President’s Award to Bob Crocker of Eastside Transportation in Greenville, and the Associates’ Choice Award to Mary Price of Stamm Travel in Rock Hill.
Rita Blenman Green of Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Miss., received the Operators’ Choice Award in appreciation of her support for operator members and promotion of the group tour industry.
The North Carolina Motorcoach Association presented the Operator of the Year award to Tony Infantino of Holbrook Field Trips in Apex.
The Virginia Motorcoach Association elected Brian Sours of Richards Bus Lines in Luray as president and Jason Quick of Quick’s Bus Company in Staunton as first vice president. Roddy Mitchell of Platinum Tours in Montpelier was appointed to succeed Quick.
James Brown of Magic Carpet Bus Service in Richmond assumed the position of immediate past president. The VMA board also welcomed Pete Smith of Smoky Mountain Resorts Hospitality Group in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., as associate director.
VMA’s Robert T. Mitchell award for Public Service was presented to Larry Williams of LW Transportation in Fredericksburg, and the VMA Market Place Operator of the Year award went to Steve Everidge of Shenandoah Tours in Staunton.
The Joint VMA and NCMA Associate of the Year Award went to Pete Smith of Smoky Mountain Resorts Hospitality Group, and the Joint VMA and NCMA “Rising Star” Award for new members was presented to Kindle Baumgarten of Medieval Times Dinner Tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
DES PLAINES, Ill. — Patrick Scully, vice president of sales and marketing at Motor Coach Industries, was named 2017 Outstanding Public Transportation Business Member by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
The award is given to an APTA public transportation business member who has made outstanding contributions to the public transportation industry.
APTA singled out Scully’s long history in mass transit advocacy for the award. He joined APTA in 1995 as a member of the Business Member Board of Governors, pressing for growth and diversity within the board’s ranks. He has served on numerous committees and helped draft the industry’s Standard Bus Specifications and Procurement Guidelines.
Scully served as chair of the Business Member Board of Governors from 2014 to 2016, helping strengthen business member support for APTA’s congressional lobbying efforts.
A native of Toronto, Scully began his career at Ontario Bus Industries’ aftermarket parts group in 1988. He transitioned to Detroit Diesel Corporation in 1994, joined Daimler Buses North America in 2001 and moved to MCI in 2012.
“To be recognized by the industry and my peers is truly an honor,” Scully said. “I hope that the work I have contributed to the industry on behalf of APTA and its members have improved mobility for our communities and our industry as a whole. It is my sincere conviction that business and operating members working cooperatively on industry issues is critical to our mutual success.”
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Michael Perez, contracts manager for Complete Coach Works, has been named liaison for the company’s new Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.
Perez is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the DBE program, which has been accepted and certified by the Federal Transit Authority.
DBEs are defined as for-profit small business concerns where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51 percent interest and also control management and daily business operations.
CCW’s policy is to ensure that DBEs have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in U.S. Department of Transportation-assisted contracts.
Perez joined CCW in 2013 as inventory analyst and was promoted to contracts manager in 2014. He has more than four years of transportation-industry experience and expertise in inventory management and government solicitations.
As CCW’s DBE liaison officer, Perez will oversee the program with regard to federally funded projects and will be the main contact for all DBE-related matters.
“CCW is very proud to be able to participate in and be certified as a Transit Vehicle Manufacturer in the FTA’s DBE program,” Perez said. “We share its goal of providing small disadvantaged businesses the opportunity to participate in federally funded transportation contracts and look forward to growing our involvement with the DBE community.”
