About the Series
40 Over 40 Legends honors ground transportation professionals who have devoted four decades or more to the industry. While “40 Under 40” lists spotlight rising leaders, this series recognizes the veterans whose dedication, resilience, and leadership built the foundation for the future.
This week on Ground Transportation Insights — and in the second video interview I’ve shared here — I had the privilege of sitting down with Mike Waters, whose career in our industry spans nearly 60 years.
Mike began in 1967, cleaning buses for his uncle’s company in San Francisco. From there, he worked his way through nearly every role imaginable — driver, mechanic, owner-operator — before leading Coach America’s San Francisco operation, part of what was then the nation’s largest private charter and tour network. Today, he continues his career with Coach USA, still contributing his leadership and perspective.
In our conversation, Mike shared:
The major turning points he witnessed in equipment, operations, and the industry at large.
Why leadership is about people first — knowing employees as individuals and supporting them in critical moments.
His belief that “the customer isn’t always right, but they are always your customer.”
What has kept him motivated across nearly six decades?
His advice for the next generation of leaders: care for employees, serve customers well, and never compromise on safety.
Mike and I closed our conversation by reflecting on the scale of the industry. I shared an American Bus Association statistic that motorcoach operators collectively move more than 400 million people every year — more than the population of the United States. Mike quickly added his perspective, reminding us that behind that staggering number are real responsibilities.
“We move a lot of people,” he said. “And we do it safely. That takes commitment from everyone — the driver, the mechanic, the shop, the leadership team. It’s not just about buses; it’s about lives. And when you step back and realize the scale of what we do, you can’t help but feel proud to be part of it.”
If you know someone who would be an excellent fit for a future 40 Over 40 Legends interview, I’d love to hear from you. Please email me at brian@busbusinessconsultants.com.
