Motorcoach Milestone: MCI Delivers 10,000th MCI J4500
Tom Wagner Rejoins MCI
Tom Wagner will be working alongside Patricia Ziska, VP of private sector sales, who will retire at the end of the year after more than a four-decade career with MCI.

Tom Wagner has built a 15-year career in MCI, rising to a VP position before leaving in 2020 and joining another original equipment manufacturer.
Photo: MCI
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) announced that Tom Wagner has rejoined the company.
Wagner will be working alongside Patricia Ziska, VP of private sector sales, who will retire at the end of the year after more than a four-decade career with MCI.
Upon Ziska’s retirement, Wagner will lead MCI’s team of regional sales vice presidents in the U.S. and Canada. The team sells new MCI models and pre-owned coaches to private sector operators.
Having joined the MCI’s public sector sales team in 2005, Wagner has built a 15-year career in MCI, rising to a VP position before leaving in 2020 and joining another original equipment manufacturer.
Ziska, who has held many leadership roles within MCI, will work with Wagner and the MCI sales team prior to her retirement. Among the milestone achievements in her career is the launch of new products and services, including the MCI J4500.
“We value the talents Tom brings to his position and all that Pat has accomplished in her extraordinary career at MCI,” said Brent Maitland, VP, private sector sales and marketing. “Tom has a depth of experience managing complex contracts. He knows our product lines and manufacturing processes and has proven himself to be a strong sales leader. Tom helped to shape our reliability- and relationship-driven business philosophies and is both trusted and respected industry wide. He has the skills to lead our sales team and continue Pat’s legacy.”
While at MCI, Wagner contributed to the success of MCI’s D-Series Commuter Coach with public transit agencies, including New Jersey Transit, and was involved in the launch of the compressed natural gas and hybrid electric powertrain. He also helped to introduce the next generation, low-entry D45 CRT LE and its zero-emission, battery-electric version. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics from Northern Illinois University.
Ziska joined MCI in 1976 and became the company’s first female VP in 1996. Her career achievements also include the launch of MCI’s earliest green marketing environmental campaigns for motor coaches. She has been a member of industry associations, including IMG, Trailways, UMA and ABA. She was an influential supporter of ABA’s Women in Buses and helped build the Motorcoach Marketing Council.
“MCI has provided me with an astounding career, and I value the friendships I’ve made along the way,” Ziska said. “Our leadership team will be strengthened by Tom’s contributions, and I look forward to many more MCI milestones ahead of us.”
More Management

Bringing Austin’s First Light Rail System to Life
Austin Transit Partnership CEO Greg Canally discusses the city's nearly 10-mile light rail project, its collaborative approach to project delivery, the importance of community engagement, and the milestones ahead as construction approaches in 2027.
Read More →
ETA CEO John Maglio on Transit Technology, Innovation, and Building Agency Trust
ETA founder and CEO John Maglio explores the evolution of transit technology, the importance of reliable systems, and how stronger partnerships can help agencies improve operations and the passenger experience.
Read More →
Metra Draft Plan Outlines Costs, Service Improvements for Regional Rail
The Systemwide Network Plan identifies infrastructure needs and potential investments to expand all-day, bidirectional rail service across the Chicago region.
Read More →
New Orleans RTA Names Augustine III as New CEO
In this edition, we also spotlight recent personnel moves at HDR, PATH, STV, and more, highlighting the people taking on new roles across the transportation industry.
Read More →
How Transit Agencies Are Using Free Rides to Improve Voting Access
Transit agencies are using fare-free service, trip-planning tools, and targeted rides to improve voting access. See what other agencies can learn from these efforts.
Read More →
Caltrain’s Electrification Drives a New Era of Ridership Growth
The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.
Read More →
Chicago, Charlotte Transit Agencies Expand Rider Support Programs
CTA launched crisis intervention teams as CATS prepares to deploy fare ambassadors, expanding customer assistance and security efforts across both systems.
Read More →
New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project
Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.
Read More →
Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations
Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.
Read More →
LA Metro Breaks Ground on Vermont BRT Project
The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.
Read More →