MCI Announces New Appointments to Canada Western Region Sales and Support

Motor Coach Industries has announced that Chad Sadowy has been promoted to Canada Western Region vice president of sales, succeeding Guy Tessier, who retired on January 8 after a four-decade career that included 29 years with MCI. 

In his new position, Sadowy, formerly technical solution manager (TSM) for the Region, will be responsible for both new and pre-owned coach sales in the territory. The Canada Western Region covers Ontario to the West Coast of British Columbia. 

At the same time, Steve Kuhn, formerly superintendent of maintenance for a multi-vehicle fleet transportation provider in Edmonton, Alberta, will replace Sadowy as the Region’s TSM. Kuhn, who holds a journeyman certification as a heavy duty mechanic along with several other industry-related qualifications in coach-related systems, is also a PEMAC Maintenance Manager Professional having completed extensive course requirements to receive the Alberta Blue Seal in 2015. PEMAC (Plant Engineering and Maintenance Association of Canada) is a national technical association for the nation’s plant and facility maintenance and asset management professionals. Kuhn’s career in motor coaches and fleet management spans 29 years.

“We’re especially pleased to offer this level of talent to our valued MCI operators in Western Canada,” said Patricia Ziska, MCI new coach sales vice president. “Chad and Steve bring a strong work ethic, technical expertise and knowledge of MCI products to their new positions with a promise to take care of customers and equipment as expertly as Guy has done for these many years.”

Sadowy regularly reported to Tessier, and he and Kuhn also spent several weeks on the road working with Tessier before his retirement to assure a smooth transition.

Sadowy started his MCI career in 1993 as production worker at the Winnipeg plant, grinding welds on the upper frame of the D-Series coach while taking night courses and steadily moving up to supervisory and quality and customer assurance technician roles. He became a Product Support Specialist in 2006 with expertise in diagnostics training, a Business Excellence Manager in 2011 and an MCI TSM in 2013.

Yet, Sadowy’s MCI story starts much earlier. His father, who had a 42-year career at MCI, “brought me to the factory before I could walk to show his newborn son to his co-workers,” he said. “I am excited for the opportunity to show current and potential customers all the great new products MCI will be introducing in the next few years. Having come from the factory floor, I understand the importance of every sale and how it supports the livelihood of all my friends at the company. We’re all dedicated to quality and to our customers.”

Tessier, who set the standard of MCI service in Western Canada, holds a similar perspective. “I have made life-long friendships with my customers and co-workers and I’m confident Chad and Steve will too.” Tessier, who grew up on farm “where you had to learn how to fix everything,” started his motor coach career in 1978 as a mechanic for Winnipeg’s former Grey Goose Bus Lines. In 1989, he joined MCI as a Field Service Representative responsible for operators in Ontario. In 1991, he moved into sales and sold his very first coach, an MCI D102 C3, to the owner of Listowel, Ontario Cherrey Bus Lines. Cherrey’s owner, Allan Cherrey, is one of Tessier’s closest friends, and remains a loyal MCI operator with a 20-coach fleet.

Tessier’s professional acumen and integrity earned him the OMCA’s (Ontario Motor Coach Association) Supplier Member Award of Distinction in 2010. OMCA specifically recognized Tessier for his assistance on the Hours of Service Guidelines, and leading OMCA’s training sessions on the new coach technologies.

Tessier also secured MCI technical support for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

“This industry is all about people, product, and service, and I have witnessed Chad and Steve’s commitment and dedication and know they will be a great asset to our customers,” said Tessier. “MCI has been the industry leader forever because we’ve have stayed ahead the competition in reliability, durability, product innovation and service. Our company has an incredible story and I have been privileged to be a part of it.”