Wes Kanaga’s calm approach, deep technical knowledge, and focus on constant improvement have left a lasting mark on the industry.
And to those who watched him over the years, he’ll always be remembered as the technician who never broke a sweat, even when the pressure was on during a UMA Maintenance Competition.
“Wes Kanaga? Coolest customer ever,” said Kevin Whitworth, organizer of the competition, as he introduced Kanaga during the UMA Ring of Honor induction ceremony. “While others were sweating, he was breathing calmly.”
That quiet composure became Kanaga’s signature over his career, earning him a reputation not only for his technical expertise but for his calm, collected approach. This year, that legacy was recognized with the industry’s highest honor: induction into the newly unveiled UMA Ring of Honor at the 2025 UMA Motorcoach EXPO, held in Oklahoma City in February.
Kanaga, now the service manager at TEMSA North America, earned his accolades while working at Peoria Charter in Peoria, Illinois. He took first place in the UMA Maintenance Competition three years in a row: 2009, 2010, and 2011.
“Recognition from one’s peers is the highest form of compliment anyone can receive,” Kanaga said.
‘Incredible career’
Whitworth praised Kanaga’s consistency, professionalism and technical excellence.
“He maintained five different brands in his fleet,” Whitworth said. “After Peoria, he went on to run shops in Orlando and at TEMSA North America. He’s had an incredible career.”
Taking the stage, Kanaga acknowledged the support team that helped him throughout his journey, including his family and the UMA community.
“First, I’d like to thank Kevin. He has a passion for our maintenance community and doesn’t give up,” Kanaga said. “I also want to thank my family. They’ve made sacrifices so I could stay in this business.”
And what about that legendary calm?
“Someone always asks if I was nervous. Oh yeah,” he said. “I just did a few deep breaths and went to work. You reach a point where you have to have a certain amount of confidence.”
Remembering his first competition, he recalled: “I was extremely nervous. I tried not to show it. I didn’t want people thinking I was afraid of it. So I’d back up, take a deep breath, get my zen together, and then just do what I was there to do.”
For Kanaga, competition was never about outperforming others; it was about continuous personal growth.
“My biggest competition? It wasn’t other people. It was the guy I was yesterday,” he said. “I’ve always tried to be better than him.”
Career began in his teens
That mindset took root early. As a young teen, Kanaga was hired to cut hedges for a local mechanic. He never got to the landscaping.
“He brought me into the shop instead,” Kanaga recalled. “Next thing you know, I had a toolbox there. I was going in after school and on weekends. He was quite the mentor. At 13, who knows what they want to do? But by 14, I did. I enjoyed it.”
After high school, Kanaga worked at a Chrysler dealership, then for the city maintaining police cars, trucks, and tractors. It was his first exposure to heavy equipment. He later worked at a Ford dealership, then ran a maintenance shop connected to an auto parts store.
Eventually, he joined Peoria Charter, where he spent 21 years. Hired by Roger Winkler and his son, Bill, Kanaga started as a line technician and gradually worked his way up.
“I came in there knowing very little about it,” he said. “After a few years, I took over running the shop. So I guess I picked it up pretty well.”
Quick success in competition
Kanaga’s first experience at the UMA Maintenance Interchange came in 2007. He competed for the first time in 2008 and earned second place.
“I was shocked to do that well, based on the talent I saw,” he said. “After that, I made a point to be there. I always looked forward to doing it, meeting the people involved. A lot of fun.”
In 2015, Kanaga left Peoria and moved to Florida, joining Mears Transportation. When the company changed ownership, he took a job at MCI as a service manager for a short time during the pandemic, then joined MV Transportation, managing a fleet of 250 paratransit buses for the local transit authority. When MV’s contract expired, he transitioned to his current role at TEMSA, North America. Back into the motorcoach business he has always been so passionate about.
Though he no longer competes, Kanaga hopes to stay involved with the UMA Maintenance Competition and mentor the next generation.
“It’s a great bunch of people. And with talent like that, you have to challenge yourself. If you get too comfortable, it doesn’t work,” said Kanaga. “You fall into a slump.”
In a side note, Whitworth previewed Kanaga’s role at the next EXPO.
“For those of you competing in the 2026 Maintenance Competition in Birmingham, our three-time Grand Champion and Ring of Honor inductee will be rigging the defects on the TEMSA coach. Buckle your seat belts, boys and girls!”
