LAS VEGAS The United Motorcoach Association is as committed today to fighting for -- and fostering success in -- small coach companies as it was nearly 40 years ago when it was founded.

Not only that, but it is UMA that is taking the lead in pushing for reasonable regulations, battling predatory public transit agencies, and making the case for small operators in the halls of Congress.

That was the message delivered by outgoing UMA Chairman Godfrey LeBron in a valedictory speech near the conclusion of Motorcoach Expo here last month.

"UMA will always nurture and fight for the small, often family-owned operator, it is in our DNA," said LeBron, who is vice president of Paradise Trailways in Hicksville, N.Y.

"Look around you to see who is in the fight with you. Who is in your corner. Who is helping us push for regulations that make sense and do not over burden our time and resources. Who wants better new entrants, not through burdensome fees and regulations, but education and guidance.

"Look around you to see who is in the transit fight everyday, not just a sexy case here and there, but on the ground every day keeping transits out of the charter business and helping more and more operators privatize commuter routes," said LeBron.

"Look around you and see whos there supporting state associations and regional efforts.

"This is not a segmented industry but an industry with different roles. We all share a common mission, growing our industry so all of us have an opportunity to pursue (our) aspirations," he asserted.

Shared experiences

LeBron and his wife, Lauren, founded Paradise Trailways in the mid-1980s, and have experienced all of the travails that can come with operating a small motorcoach company. He has served on the UMA board for 13 years, the past two as the organizations chairman.

Like all UMA directors LeBron was chosen by operator members in a contested election.

"My greatest pride has been in visiting and talking with members about their concerns, hopes and aspirations," he said.

"It is heartwarming to know how many of our operator members greatest aspiration is to pass along a successful company to their sons and daughters. Lauren and I share that goal with you.

"Many of you would be surprised that much of UMA's mission today is much like it was in 1971, when our founding members started UMA -- to have and maintain an industry free of economic regulation.

"Most of us here tonight began our businesses after the industry became economically deregulated. Before those days, most of us would have never had the opportunity (to start our businesses) because obtaining operating authority was too often complex, expensive and nearly impossible.

Regulation? No Thanks

"If you were fortunate enough to obtain authority, your rates and fares were regulated, as well as where you could go.

"Imagine today," he said, "telling a potential customer you could not take them to a destination because you did not have authority or could not adjust your rate to meet their budget requirements as you could be called before a commission and lose your (operating) authority.

"Imagine a time when coaches were much older, interiors were aged and passenger comfort was much less a concern.

"Those days resulted in an industry that was stagnant and gained a reputation that all of us are still working to overcome."

LeBron noted that new entrants continue to enter the industry, competing on price and customer service. "While we all cringe when there is one more coach company down the street, it is the continuing expansion and diversity of the industry that continues to expand the marketplace," he said.

"Our founders were the rogue operators of yesterday who upset the apple cart, and while we always believe compliance and safe operations should never be compromised, it is today's and tomorrows rogue operators that will keep our industry vibrant and growing," he said.

Thank you vendors

"Yes, there are those in Washington, D.C.. who whisper in congressmens ears for legislation that would choke our industry, and those who clamor for more cumbersome regulations and fees that would not make our industry safer but impede those who choose to enter the industry and start those ever critical new companies -- tomorrow's success stories.

"They yearn for the status quo, the industry of yesterday," he said, making clear it is not a yearning he shares.

LeBron also acknowledged the support UMA has received over the years from industry vendors and suppliers, "particularly our manufacturing partners.

"It would be easy for each of them to sell to all of us and take their profits home," he said. "Yet they still recognize what every leader in this industry recognizes -- this is an industry still in its infancy, an industry that is many years, perhaps decades from reaching its capacity.

"They continuously, even in times of economic downturns, invest and reinvest in our industry so we can maximize our capital in our businesses."