1/11/2024
The Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA) changes name to the Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA). The Board proposed the change to better fit the increased diversity of our members. A proposed bylaw change was sent out to the voting members who approved the change this week.
Association Evolution:
The Association was established initially under the name Atlantic City Bus Owner’s Association (ACBOA). The ACBOA entered the scene in 1981 so that private bus operators would have a more unified voice on matters of collective interest in the Atlantic City Marketplace. Over the years, with no active New Jersey Association in place, the ACBOA's role grew beyond the scope of Atlantic City and in January 2004 the association expanded to become a state organization known as the Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA).
The Association was founded by a small group of bus owners: Jeff Weintraub (Harran Transportation), Carl Bieber (Bieber Tours), Tom Dugan (Safety Bus), Sid Kushan (Suburban Coach), Mitch Sussman (Starr Tours), Frank Gallagher (Community Coach), and Dan Mercadante (Leisure Line). Jeff and Mitch were the first president and vice-president, respectively. The catalyst for the group forming was Steve Norton of Resorts. Our partnership with Resorts is still strong as Meg Lewis and her team are annual Platinum Sponsors of the Association.
The Association is led by a committed Board of Directors, comprised of motorcoach company owners and other professionals. Tim Stout of Stout’s Transportation is the current president and has been at the helm since 2011. Past presidents included Tom Dugan, Jeff Weintraub, Mitch Sussman, Dan Mercadante, John Mercadante, Jot Bennett, and Tom JeBran. Tom JeBran of Trans-Bridge is still an active member of the Board of Directors today.
Over the past few years, the Association grew organically beyond just the Greater New Jersey area, with operator members hailing from New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Maine. Demographically, our footprint currently represents a larger northeast regional organization. Members from surrounding states and beyond have joined our Association to have access to the valuable resources we provide. As the northeast regional association, we will offer benefits for our members to align with their state, including providing significant influence when engaging with elected officials and politicians regarding our industry’s needs.
For questions, please contact GNEMA Executive Director, Patricia Cowley 908-750-4538 pcowley@gnema.org.