(Alexandria, VA ) As the Motorcoach industry begins to recover from the devastation of the pandemic, United Motorcoach Association Chairman Jeff Polzien announced today the launch of a search for a new President/CEO. “When UMA tapped Larry Killingsworth to be our interim President and CEO in February 2020, for six to nine months while we searched for a permanent leader, little did we know what was ahead. We are grateful to Larry for leading us through these past fifteen months and continuing with UMA through the search process.”
David Moody, UMA Vice Chairman, is leading the search committee and expects it will take three to six months for the committee to complete its work. “UMA has played a vital role for its Members during the pandemic and will continue to deliver the critical support that is needed. It is now time for our organization to turn our focus to the future and bring in the next leader of UMA,” stated Moody. Some of the specific initiatives include:
1—Teaming up with other industry groups to conduct a powerful advocacy program for the motorcoach industry that resulted in the CERTS program, the first-ever direct funding from the federal government for our industry.
2—Providing financial relief for our operator Members by suspending dues for the 12 months ending March 31, 2021.
3—Dramatically increasing the timeliness of information by moving the industry-leading Bus & Motorcoach News to a digital format, launching the Daily NewsFlash, and conducting 58 Town Halls every Thursday at 2p.m. ET.
4—Shifting the annual Sales Summit and Safety Management Seminar from live meetings to a safer and more cost-effective virtual format, with record attendance at each.
5—Planned and delivered a live EXPO in Orlando in April, 2021, the first industry-wide gathering in more than a year. UMA’s Annual Motorcoach EXPO is North America’s premier equipment show and will continue to be the source for the coach operator to learn, strengthen and grow their businesses and relationships.
6—Relaunched a strengthened BusRates.com on March 1, 2021, to provide a powerful tool for its subscribers to respond to the trend toward online search for transportation services.
Polzien commented that “UMA has streamlined its ability to deliver for Members as our industry rebounds from its worst crisis ever. UMA will continue to offer its Town Halls, NewsFlash, Sales Summit, Safety Management Seminar, and annual EXPO as we continue to be the source for coach operators as we help them return to normal.”
Anyone interested in applying for the position should submit their resume at https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/4482f684
About UMA
The United Motorcoach Association is the nation’s largest organization exclusively protecting and promoting the interests and welfare of privately-owned bus and motorcoach companies. Members include motorcoach owners and industry suppliers. For more information about UMA, upcoming events, membership, and important legislative information, please visit www.uma.org.
