For Greg Lammers, a humble and steady presence in the motorcoach maintenance world, being honored on stage wasn’t something he ever sought.
But after more than four decades in the industry, the retired technician was inducted into the UMA’s newly established Ring of Honor, a career-defining moment marked by one simple but powerful gesture. His name will be permanently engraved on the official UMA toolbox used on display at the annual UMA Maintenance Competition.
“Bear with me, I’m a better technician than public speaker,” Lammers told the crowd at the UMA Interchange, where the Ring of Honor was unveiled. He accepted the honor at the 2025 UMA Motorcoach EXPO in Oklahoma City on Feb. 22.
Standing beside a toolbox the same size as the one he started with in 1977, he reflected on his long journey that began at age 10, washing buses for Cavalier Coaches, a family-owned company in Owatonna, Minnesota, run by friends of his parents.
“I graduated from high school in ’77, and I went to work that August,” he said. “I worked in the shop, went to trade school for two years while working nights, and the rest is history. I was there full time for 43 years and 4 months.”
Lammers retired in December 2020, but he hasn’t completely put down the tools. He still helps maintain a couple of small truck fleets and enjoys dirt track stock car racing.
Always learning, teaching
His career was defined not just by his technical expertise, but by his commitment to helping others grow.
“When it came to preparing for the competition, nobody worked harder than Greg,” said Kevin Whitworth, organizer of the UMA Interchange and Maintenance Competition. “If you flew with him, you’d better not sit next to him. He’d have books and manuals spread everywhere. He was the first mechanic ask, “Can we review my test? Where can I improve?” Last year, we mentored 14 competitors with written test reviews over the phone, said Whitworth. That’s what this is about.”
Lammers recalled preparing for the competition’s 50-question theory test. “On the way there, I’d bring study materials and refresh my mind,” he said. “It kept me sharp, and something I studied could help solve a problem two weeks later.”
Lammers first attended the annual UMA Maintenance Interchange around 2000 as a way to connect with other operators and share knowledge. He also took part in the UMA Maintenance Competition and quickly became a standout in the national competition, winning three times before initially stepping away.
In 2017, Whitworth persuaded him to return, letting him know that ABC Companies had become the title sponsor, and increased the winner’s prize to $2,500.
“So in 2018, I competed and got second to Dave Meyerhofer,” Lammers recalled. “In 2019, I competed again and got second to Darren Haines. So that didn’t work out too well for me,” he added with a grin.
What did work out was the community he helped build. In his remarks, Lammers thanked the late Bill Regan of Cavalier Coaches, his longtime boss and mentor; the UMA Board; Whitworth; ABC; and his wife Cindy, who has been by his side for more than 45 years.
He also thanked Stertil-Koni USA for underwriting the Rising Star Award, which was unveiled last year. The award is given to the top maintenance technician in the competition with less than 24 months of industry experience.
“It’s great seeing young people involved,” he said.
Now, with his name engraved on the Ring of Honor toolbox that will be at every future competition, Lammers’ legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of technicians.
“It was fun. It’s a challenge. You’re fixing, you’re problem-solving every day, and nothing’s the same,” Lammers said. “There’s a sense of accomplishment and creativity in it. In some ways, it’s a thankless job, but in other ways, you feel really good about what you do.”
Photos by Jill Kelly of Terrapin Blue.
