RIVERSIDE, CA, APRIL 28, 2023— With heavy hearts, we share the news of the sudden and tragic passing of our dear colleague and friend, Kevin O’Brien. On April 26, 2023, Kevin was involved in an automobile collision in San Bernardino County that took his life at the age of 65. The details of the accident are unknown, and the authorities are investigating the incident.
Kevin was a free spirit who pursued his passions and interests with great enthusiasm. He began his career in the transit industry a decade before joining the Complete Coach Works (CCW) team in Riverside, California. For the last 22 years, he has been an essential part of CCW, serving as the General Sales Manager and supervising a broad spectrum of projects that involved mid-life rehabilitation, collision repair, and full remanufacturing.
He had been an integral part of the transportation industry for over 32 years, earning him the respect of his peers and colleagues. Kevin was known for his unwavering commitment to excellence and his natural talent for problem-solving. He was a true leader who inspired his team to always aim for excellence and never settle for mediocrity.
“Our organization could never have been the same without Kevin, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come,” said Brad Carson, Chief Operating Officer of Complete Coach Works. “He was a trusted colleague who always had a solution to every problem. He truly embodied the values of our company and will be deeply missed.”
Kevin was more than just a great colleague and leader. He was a true friend to all who knew him, always ready to offer a listening ear or a helping hand to those in need. He possessed an exceptional ability to forge meaningful connections with people on a personal level. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Kevin was known for his warm personality and caring nature. He had a remarkable ability to uplift the spirits of those around him, making everyone feel at ease in his presence. Kevin’s kind heart, infectious laugh, and unique sense of humor left a lasting impression on everyone who crossed his path.
“Kevin was one of the most genuine and caring individuals I have ever met,” Brad continued. “He lived his life with honesty, integrity, and kindness, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
Kevin’s passing is a great loss to the transportation industry and the community as a whole. His legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched and the positive impact he had on those around him. He is survived by his loving children, siblings, nieces, nephews, and a large extended family. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with them during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Kevin. You will be deeply missed, but your memory will always be cherished in our hearts.
Details regarding the services to celebrate his life will be shared when they are available.
Complete Coach Works (CCW) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26. For the purpose of this DBE Program, CCW proposes to set its overall goal utilizing all information available to it, including information available in CCW’s area of manufacturing operation and comments received from the public in response to this notice.
CCW has set a goal of 1.00% participation in DOT-assisted contracts FY2023. This proposed goal and its methodology are available for public inspection during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) at CCW’s corporate office located at 1863 Service Court, Riverside, CA 92507 for 30 days following the date of this notice. CCW and the FTA will accept comments on the goal for 45 days from the date of this notice. The goal may be adjusted depending upon comments received.
Comments may be addressed to: Amber Lindsey, DBE Liaison Officer Complete Coach Works 1863 Service Court Riverside, CA 92507 Phone: (951) 684-9585 Email: [email protected]
Complete Coach Works (CCW) is actively pursuing experienced DBE firms who are interested in participating in transit bus rebuilding operations at its headquarters in Riverside, California. DBE opportunities include, but are not limited to, a range of goods and services for the remanufacture, rehabilitation, and retrofit of heavy-duty transit buses.
The Nation’s First 60-Foot Bus Rehabilitation to Battery Electric
Complete Coach Works installs proprietary battery-electric technology in an articulated bus for TriMet (Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon)
RIVERSIDE, CA, January 17, 2022— Complete Coach Works (CCW) breaks new ground in zero-emissions mass transit with the Nation’s first conversion of a 60-foot articulated diesel-powered bus to battery electric for TriMet.
CCW, the leading North American bus remanufacturer, combined the Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS) with CCW’s own Zero Emission Propulsion System (ZEPS) battery technology to solve the electric conversion challenge in a 60-foot articulated workhorse transit bus.
Since 2012, CCW has converted more than 70, 30-foot, 35-foot, and 40-foot fossil fueled transit buses to battery electric. The company offers 403 kWh and 504 kWh lithium ion NMC battery packs.
CCW is thrilled to now offer customers a 605 kWh lithium ion NMC battery and powertrain solution to support larger and heavier vehicles that will easily haul their significantly higher passenger loads.
60-Foot Breakthrough CCW converted the Nation’s first-ever 2007 60-foot New Flyer diesel-powered articulated transit bus to battery electric. The project included a complete restoration of TriMet’s bus, known as Desert Rose, to like-new condition with the ZEPS 605 kWh lithium ion NMC battery pack and the VEDS powertrain.
“We’ve worked with TriMet in the past converting three 40-foot low floor transit buses to battery-electric, but this was the first time facing a 60-foot articulated bus, which requires more energy storage than any previous conversion,” said Jim Paul, CCW’s Regional Sales Manager. “We’ve proven ourselves again in this accomplishment and thank our partners on the project. The advanced CCW batteries combined with VEDS provides the bus with a significantly longer operating range while maintaining its battery life.”
Keeping high-use, low-floor buses rolling and looking like new Articulated buses not only carry more passengers, but generally provide a lower-floor design that offers greater passenger accessibility. TriMet’s 14-year-old refurbished bus not only features new passenger lightweight seating, flooring, fresh branding and LED exterior and interior lighting, it also provides a new ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp for faster passenger onboarding.
“Our process significantly extends the bus’s service life while providing a much quieter and zero-emission ride for Portland commuters,” said Jim. “The teamwork between CCW, TriMet and Voith not only moves TriMet’s bar higher on achieving its green initiatives, but paves the way for more agencies to adopt rehabbed electric buses as part of their fleets.”
TriMet is the 16th largest public transit agency in the United States and ninth in the nation in ridership per capita. In 2019, it committed to a clean energy fleet by the year 2040 and became the first U.S. transit agency to acquire battery-electric buses with charging stations completely powered by wind energy.
TriMet has begun extensive testing and evaluation of this inaugural 60-foot model on a Portland metro express route where the bus is already proving its reliability according to TriMet.
“TriMet is proud to partner with CCW in our quest to be the leading Transit Agency that leads the renewable energy drive, and Desert Rose has been a shining star — a Giant of a Rose. The performance numbers from this 60-foot articulated bus are unbelievable and we look forward to a continued partnership with CCW,” said Samuel Rumhizha, Director Bus Maintenance.
CCW’s ZEPS battery division, operated with sister company Transit Sales International, has developed the remanufactured all-electric bus by taking existing low-floor transit buses and remanufacturing them into like-new vehicles with their own proprietary all-electric drivetrain systems. Currently, ZEPS buses have logged four million passenger miles across the nation.
Riverside, CA – Complete Coach Works (CCW) announced today that Brad Carson was appointed the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Brad will be instrumental in leading the operations, building culture, and executing the company’s goals.
“It is an exciting time for the company and our employees as the transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) has been executed. The addition of Brad as COO to the executive team will ensure continued operational excellence, technological growth, and new company culture as we’ve entered the next phase of the company,” said Michael Dominici Chief Financial Officer.
Brad began his tenure in 2004 as a transit bus mechanic. Over the years, he has held several leadership positions in the company, such as Operations Manager, Purchasing & Materials Director, Facility Maintenance Director, and his most recent position as the Sales and Marketing Director.
As COO, Brad will immediately assume responsibility for Operations, Sales and Marketing, Engineering, Bus Acquisitions, and other related departments.
Complete Coach Works remains committed to serving its customers in the best way possible and remain the leading transit bus remanufacturer in North America.
Riverside, CA – Complete Coach Works (CCW) announced its plan to transition to a 100% employee-owned company. The announcement was made during a special lunch celebration on Friday, August 20, 2021, to the entire employee base at its headquarters in Riverside, CA. The meeting was simultaneously broadcast to all remote employees via video conference.
Dale E. Carson, President and Owner of Complete Coach Works, and his wife, Terri, started CCW over 34 years ago and worked tirelessly to build it into the industry-leading organization that it has become. Throughout the company’s history, Dale and Terri have been proud to employ such a talented and diverse team, and have always tried to show their sincere appreciation to each and every employee.
During the announcement, Dale expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the staff, and said that turning CCW into an ESOP was his and Terri’s way of giving back to the people who helped the company be successful – their employees. He further explained that the ESOP retirement benefit would be in addition to the Company’s existing 401(k) Plan retirement vehicle.
An ESOP, facilitated through a trust, provides company stock to employees as part of their retirement benefits. When Congress established the ESOP employee benefit plan in the 1970’s, the governing legislation was written that “the ESOP is required to be operated for the ‘exclusive benefit’ of participating employees (and their beneficiaries).” Once the transition to an employee-owned company is finalized, employees will benefit from contributions made to their account.
CCW projects greatly benefit transit agencies and the communities they serve. Now more than ever, transit agencies are looking to partner with companies that are also aligned with those goals. CCW prides itself on providing a great product and taking care of its employees. Becoming an employee-owned company demonstrates further commitment to its employees, and future success of the company and its customers.
Complete Coach Works (CCW) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program in accordance with 49 CFR Part 26. For the purpose of this DBE Program, CCW proposes to set its overall goal utilizing all information available to it, including information available in CCW’s area of manufacturing operation and comments received from the public in response to this notice.
CCW has set a goal of 1.00% participation in DOT-assisted contracts FY2022. This proposed goal and its methodology are available for public inspection during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) at CCW’s corporate office located at 1863 Service Court, Riverside, CA 92507 for 30 days following the date of this notice. CCW and the FTA will accept comments on the goal for 45 days from the date of this notice. The goal may be adjusted depending upon comments received.
Comments may be addressed to: Amber Lindsey, DBE Liaison Officer Complete Coach Works 1863 Service Court Riverside, CA 92507 Phone: (951) 684-9585 Email: [email protected]
Complete Coach Works (CCW) is actively pursuing experienced DBE firms who are interested in participating in transit bus rebuilding operations at its headquarters in Riverside, California. DBE opportunities include, but are not limited to, a range of goods and services for the remanufacture, rehabilitation, and retrofit of heavy-duty transit buses.
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