Virginia Motorcoach Association AWARDS PrograM

Each year, the Virginia Motorcoach Association recognizes members or industry affiliates with awards for extraordinary accomplishment, substantial contribution to the association or the industry, and / or exceptional ethic.

It is important that all VMA members take advantage of this opportunity to recognize your company or your peers. Each of you knows a colleague who excels in his or her field, and we would like the entire VMA Membership have the opportunity to appreciate them.

VMA Robert T Mitchell Award

The Robert T Mitchell Award - a member or an industry affiliate may be chosen by the VMA nominating committee for outstanding achievement during the preceding year.

ABA's Peter Pantuso accepts the prestigious 2023 Robert T Mitchell award from VMA President J. Morgan Brown. Peter was recognized for his endless service and commitment to the motorcoach industry's recovery.

VMA President's Award

The President's Award - a member or an industry affiliate may be chosen by the VMA president for outstanding achievement during the preceding year.

Dale Bennett, Virginia Trucking Association and VMA Lobbyist, was recognized as the 2023 President's Award winner. Dale's was cited by VMA President Roddy Mitchell, in recognition of his contributions to the motorcoach industry and for his dedication, support, and service to the Virginia Motorcoach Association.

VMA Operator of the Year Award

The Operator of the Year award - an operator member may be nominated by any operator member in good standing. Final nominations are voted on by all operator members.

Quick's Bus President, Jason Quick, accepts the 2023 Operator of the Year award from President J Morgan Brown and Awards Committee and Board member Larry Williams.

VMA Associate of the Year Award

The Associate of the Year award - an associate member may be nominated by any associate member in good standing. Final nominations are voted on by all associate members.

Service Insurance Company President, Tim O'Bryan, accepts the 2023 Associate of the Year award from President J Morgan Brown.

As a reminder, all nominees' employers or businesses must be VMA members in good standing in order to be considered for an award. We are happy to reach out to any member whose employee or company is under consideration to resolve any concerns.

Life Member Award

Life Member awards, while not presented annually, are presented to a retiring VMA member who has shown particular dedication to the association and to the industry over the period of time they've been involved in the industry. Life members may be nominated by the board of directors, sometimes on the recommendation of a VMA member.

Former owner of Virginia Coach Company, Deb Owings, made the decision to retire from the business at the close of 2022. As owner / operator of a second generation company and longtime advocate and committee chair of the VMA Estes Counselman Scholarship Program, Deb was awarded a VMA life membership this year. She proudly accepted the honor from VMA President J Morgan Brown and long-time industry colleagues, friends, and board members, Fred and Sue Abbott.

As a reminder, all nominees' employers or businesses must be VMA members in good standing in order to be considered for an award. We are happy to reach out to any member whose employee or company is under consideration to resolve any concerns.

2024 Nomination Forms for Associate of the Year and Operator of the Year will be available during the Spring of 2024.

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Award History

Robert T Mitchell Award

2023 - Peter Pantuso, American Bus Association
2022 - Ken Presley, United Motorcoach Association
2021 - Jason Quick, Quick's Bus Company
2020 - No award presented due to Covid
2019 - Fred Abbott, Abbott Bus Lines
2018 - Jimmy Hall, Venture Tours
2017 - Larry Williams, LW Transportation
2016 - J Morgan Brown, Magic Carpet Tours
2015 - Tim O'Bryan, Service Insurance Agency
2014 - Chuck Andrews, WorldStrides
2013 - James Brown, Magic Carpet Tours
2012 - Robbie Quick, Quick's Bus Service
2011 - Eddie Sours, Richard's Bus Lines
2010 - Betty Jo Counselman, Virginia Coach Company
2009 - John Shaffer, Luray Caverns
2008 - Gwen Elmore,  Fun Tours
2007 - Evaleigh Estes, Dashing Cavalier Tours
2004 - Dave Bolen, New World Tours
2003 - Doug Douglas, Virginia Motorcoach Association
2002 - Elaine Ford, Holiday Inn Wilmington/Newark
2001 - Bruce Newton, TourTime
2000 - Jim Counselman, Virginia Coach Company
1999 - Lucille Newton, Newton's Bus Service
1997 - Jan Goggan, Myrtle Beach Adventures
1996 - Fred Abbott, Abbott Bus Lines
1995 - Stephen Story, James River Bus Lines
1994 - Calvin Major Esq, Counsel for VMA
1993 - Vernon Franklin, Franklin Bus Lines
1992 - David Shingleton, Tourtime America
1991 - Marvin Fisher, Virginia Overland Charter Service
1990 - Gary Estes, Tourtime America
1989 - Joe Nooney, Nooney Bus Lines
1988 - Ashby Johnson, Trailways
1987 - Nancy Nagel, VMA Executive Director
1986 - O.T. Howell, Trailways
1985 - E.J. Stephans, D&M Bus Lines
1984 - Robert L Quick, Quick-Livick Bus Lines
1983 - John C Estes, Cavalier Transportation
1982 - H. Lester Creech, Trailways
1981 - Alvin Newton, Newton's Bus Service
1980 - Richard A Trice, Trailways
1979 - Woodrow Story, James River Bus Lines
1978 - J. W. Whitt, Greyhound
1977 - Harris Mitchell, VBA Secretary / Treasurer
1976 - Taft Abbott, Abbott Bus Lines
1975 - J. Wiser Stowe, Lynchburg Transit Company
1974 - R.F. Lawson, AB&W Bus Lines
1973 - Alvin Bandy, Bandy Bus Lines
1972 - C.E. Hall, Greyhound
1971 - Hon. H. Lester Hooker, State Corporation Commission
1970 - K.A. Bradshaw, Virginia Transit Company
1969 - H.D. Brown, Greyhound
1968 - D.A. Reynolds, Trailways