FAIRFAX, Va. Joseph E. Kobussen, president of Kobussen Trailways in Kaukauna, Wis., has been appointed to a one-year term on the board of directors of the Trailways Transportation System.

Kobussen is a third-generation family manager of the company his grandfather founded in 1938. Kobussen Trailways has grown to operate a fleet of 350 school buses, 13 motorcoaches, and assorted paratransit vehicles. It operates out of six terminals in southern Wisconsin.

Kobussen also serves as president of the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce in Fox Valley, Wis., and is past president of the Wisconsin Family Business Forum and the Wisconsin Motorcoach Association.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Peter Pan Bus Lines has promoted four top managers to senior positions within the company.

Frank Dougherty was named vice president-transportation and an officer of the company.

In his new role, Dougherty will be responsible for the development of strategic fleet planning and optimization of driver manpower companywide, as well as assure that all Peter Pan divisions are coordinating and functioning efficiently. In addition, Dougherty will be responsible for maximizing efficiencies of Peter Pans pool service with Greyhound Lines throughout the northeast.

Dougherty previously was general manager of Peter Pans Providence, R.I.-based division (formerly Peter Pan-Bonanza). He began his career as a driver for Greyhound before joining Bonanza Bus Lines in 2000.

Peter Pan promoted Ken Mulcahy to senior director of line-run operations.

Mulcahy joined Peter Pan 21 years ago as a driver and for the past 11 years has been director of operations.

Bruce Westcott has been named senior director of sales and marketing. Westcott joined Peter Pan last year to handle business development for the company. He previously was executive vice president of The Stanley Works and has more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing.

Joanne Berwald has been appointed senior director of human resources. Berwald joined Peter Pan last year, having previously been director of human resources and vice president of operations for Buxton Company.

Peter Pan achieved an extraordinary level of visibility in late August when the company provided 40 motorcoaches to transport family, staff and members of Congress during the three days of funeral services for the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass. The coaches were seen frequently in the extensive television coverage.

WASHINGTON -- The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced that Stephen Keppler has been named interim executive director. Keppler most recently served as CVSA director of policy and programs. He succeeds, at least temporarily, Stephen F. Campbell, the long-time executive director of CVSA who did not have his contract renewed by the organizations executive committee.

CVSA promotes commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. Its membership is comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and motor carrier industry representatives from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. The board of directors of ABC Companies has appointed Ashley Cornell the vice president/general manager of the organizations CustomerCare Group.

At the same time, ABC announced the appointment of Tom Sullivan to the position of account executive for its southeastern region.

In his new position, Sullivan will team with ABC sales veteran Claude Payne to cover new and pre-owned coach sales in Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, and North and South Carolina.

In her new role, Ashley Cornell will manage all aspects and responsibilities within the CustomerCare area, overseeing day-to-day activities for a support staff consisting of technical, engineering, service representatives and warranty personnel. CustomerCare is the unit of ABC that handles all new coach equipment-related issues, including warranty and vendor alliances, engineering, technical and product development services and field services.

As the former director of CustomerCare, Cornell has managed customer relationships, serving as the key liaison between ABC after-sales support programs and ABC customers.

Cornell joined ABC Companies a dozen years ago. She holds a bachelors degree from the University of Tampa.

Sullivan has extensive sales experience, including employment with Volvo Trucks North America, and most recently as regional sales manager for Motor Coach Industries.

He is a graduated of James Madison University with a degree in finance and holds a masters degree from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

GREENSBORO, N.C. Tim Bittner has been appointed a regional sales manager for pre-owned motorcoaches by Daimler Buses North America.

Bittner joins Daimler from Prevost Car, where he sold motorcoaches in the Mid-Atlantic region. Prior to that he spent seven years as president/owner of a commercial bus dealership in Southern California.

Bittners territory at Daimler includes parts or all of six mid-east states, including Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Cummins Inc. has promoted Lori Thompson to vice president of the truck and bus OEM business.

Thompson, who was executive director of the truck and bus OEM business, joined Cummins in 1979. She has led the company's logistics and ReCon remanufacturing operations in Memphis, Tenn., and held management roles at company operations in Mexico and Belgium. She moved into the truck and OEM business unit last year, after serving as general manager of the global parts business for four years.

"Lori's deep knowledge of the engine business and our customers have been invaluable since she took over leadership of the heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicle OEM business during the deepest recession in decades," said Jim Kelly, president of the engine business. "Her breadth of experience, perspective and vision for the business, have served us well during a difficult period, will continue to do so in the future."

DULUTH, Ga. - Cricket Elliott, Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau tour and travel sales manager, has been named Associate of the Year for the South Carolina Motorcoach Association. The award is presented annually to the associate member who has best represented their destination, made the most effort to follow up with contacts made, and provided the highest quality service to operators as they plan for group travel, said association President Walter Bryant.