ABA's Women in Buses: 50 Stories from 50 States | Page 60

Pat Ziska Motor Coach Industries ( MCI ) Vice President Private Sector Sales Pat . Ziska @ MCICoach . com Little did Patricia Ziska know at age 19 when she began her career in the bus business working for the highest achievers in the motor coach sales-side of the industry , she herself would fill similar shoes .

Though her journey is uniquely her own , Ziska learned how listening to customers ’ concerns , gaining their trust , following through and doing what you say you will , makes all the difference in getting ahead .

Today , as Vice President of Private Sector Coach Sales for Motor Coach Industries , ( MCI ), a position she has held since 2012 in a 40 plus-year career with the manufacturer , Ziska demonstrates those same leadership qualities to the executive sales team she manages in the U . S . and Canada . And today , she works to elevate and inspire other women in the industry .

MCI is the largest manufacturer of intercity coaches in North America , building the iconic MCI J4500 , the industry ’ s best-selling model for 15 consecutive years . That kind of market leadership position speaks volumes about both the quality of the product , the responsive team behind it and Ziska ’ s hard work .

When faced with business challenges , Ziska finds that the practice of keeping an open mind , finding creative solutions and flexibility are aptitudes that also elevate a career . “ Rigidity doesn ’ t work ,” she says . “ You have to bring a unique response to every customer ’ s situation and remain flexible for successful outcomes .”

With Ziska ’ s product knowledge and manufacturing perspective , her contributions representing MCI on industry associations have proven valuable to new generations of male and female motor coach leaders . As a member of the American Bus Association ’ s Women in Buses Council ( WIB ), Ziska has brought more women into the industry with MCI ’ s sponsorship . She helps promote WIB ’ s events and activities , while her networking efforts have helped build its national membership .

“ When I started , women in the business were usually working side by side with their husbands as operators . Not so today ,” she said . “ It ’ s been rewarding to see success stories of more women running multigenerational coach businesses and we ’ re seeing more women-owned startups , and women at the helm in commuter shuttle operations and tourism .”

Four decades of experience — and counting Ziska ’ s path in the bus business began in 1976 when she landed a job as administrative assistant in the new coach department with Hausman Bus Sales , a renowned dealer of all types of used buses . Hausman had just been named the U . S . sales distributor of MCI coaches .

While finishing her college degree at night , Ziska officially joined MCI when MCI acquired Hausman in 1989 . By 1992 she was named MCI ’ s Director of Customer Relations , responsible for trade shows , marketing and advertising . In 1996 , she was named Vice President of Central Region Sales , leading new and pre-owned coach sales activities for the busy Chicago , IL and Dallas , TXbased regions . In 2012 , she was promoted to the role of Vice President of MCI Private Sector Sales , which she leads today .

Among other milestones , Ziska helped build the Motorcoach Marketing Council and launched the earliest motorcoach green marketing environmental campaigns .

Ziska recently celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary and has four adult children — three sons and one daughter — and four grandchildren . She looks forward to continuing her MCI career at this critical time for the industry — putting her experience to work , grooming talent at MCI and engaging with customers on measures that protect and improve their business as the industry rolls to a bright future .

Advancements in accessibility , driver assistance safety systems , battery-electric environmental solutions and autonomous bus applications destined to redefine the public ’ s relationship with automobiles are on the rise . As a subsidiary of NFI Group , one of the world ’ s largest independent global bus manufacturers , MCI is ahead of the curve in most of these areas thanks to sister company New Flyer ’ s investment in bringing these progressive concepts to market .

Ziska says changes in public policy , tourism , commuter culture and technologies shaping products and businesses is a given in the bus industry , and postpandemic , group transport will have to adapt to yet another new reality . “ Receptivity to these new changes and finding the advantages in the unexpected is what sets leaders apart ,” said Ziska .

In addition to the J4500 , MCI builds the all-new 35-foot J3500 model , and the workhorse D-Series including the ADA-accessible MCI D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach , and the battery-electric , zero-emission D45 CRTe LE . MCI also provides maintenance , repair , 24-hour roadside assistance , parts , and technician training through the industry ’ s only Automotive Service Excellence ( ASE ) accredited MCI Academy . Learn more at mcicoach . com .