Power in Motion: Meet the Women Shaping the Future of ABA
Stephanie Brooks, Erin Sullivan, and Suzanne Thornburg join the ABA Board of Directors with a shared commitment to progress, advocacy, and industry excellence
The American Bus Association (ABA) proudly welcomes three dynamic leaders to its Board of Directors: Stephanie Brooks, Erin Sullivan, and Suzanne Thornburg. These women represent decades of dedication to motorcoach and group travel, bringing strategic insight, operational experience, and a passion for strengthening our industry’s future. Their terms began in February during Marketplace 2025 in Philadelphia.
As they take their places at the Board table, they do so with fresh perspectives and an unwavering commitment to ABA’s members and mission.
Stephanie Brooks: Building Value Through Connection and Resilience
Returning to the ABA Board is a full-circle moment for Stephanie Brooks, Vice President of Product & Operations at the Globus family of brands. Her travel journey wasn’t linear—it began with a college summer job that changed her career course entirely.
“I spent the first few years of my career working for various travel companies in Western Canada,” she recalls. “Each of those experiences helped me develop a broader understanding of domestic and inbound tourism and how outside influences impact our industry.”
That foundation led her to the United States and Globus, where she built a remarkable 20-year career focused on creating memorable experiences through group travel. Today, she oversees operations that stretch across the globe, grounded in a commitment to guests and guided by evolving traveler needs.
Stephanie quickly acknowledges tour operators’ challenges, especially in a post-pandemic world where traveler expectations are shifting. “There’s more competition for travelers’ dollars, and it’s more important than ever to showcase the value of touring,” she says. “Travelers today want immersive experiences, community connections, ease, and security. Group tours are uniquely positioned to deliver all of that.”
Throughout her career, Stephanie has weathered many industry changes and disruptions—and she credits her resilience and openness to change as her greatest strengths. That mindset is one she brings to the Board.
“This is my fourth term on the Board, after taking a year off,” she shares. “I realized I missed the engagement. The Board helps shape the direction of the association and ensures our collective voice is heard—especially on Capitol Hill.”
She sees her role as supporting ABA’s coach operator members and advocating for policies that affect tour operators more broadly, from national park access to visa programs and driver regulations. “Making sure we stay abreast of issues that impact our coach operators but have a trickle-down effect on tour operators is important,” she says. “As a member of the board, I can help keep focus on issues that impact tour operators such as access to our national parks, visa programs, tariffs, and even how driver hours of service could impact our tours.”
Outside work, Stephanie finds joy and balance on the golf course with her husband, in the kitchen, or on the ski slopes—“though golf,” she admits, “isn’t always the most relaxing sport!”
Suzanne Thornburg: Leading with Legacy and Vision
For Suzanne Thornburg, the path to leadership in the motorcoach industry was deeply personal. After the sudden passing of her first husband in 2010, she stepped into a board role to represent their children’s interests in the family’s transportation businesses. With a 26-year career in banking, finance, and investments already behind her, Suzanne brought valuable governance and business expertise to Capital Trailways and Colonial Trailways—two companies today celebrating 95 and 90 years of operation, respectively.
By 2019, Suzanne took the helm as president and CEO, guiding the companies through a rapidly evolving landscape. “Someone once told me, ‘There are no two days exactly alike in our industry,’” she says. “After six years in day-to-day operations, I couldn’t agree more.”
Suzanne views change as both a challenge and an opportunity. She’s focused on ensuring the industry is recognized as an essential travel provider, especially by policymakers. At the same time, she’s working to help small, family-owned companies navigate regulatory shifts, insurance pressures, and liability exposure.
“The smaller family-owned companies especially must embrace and comprehend the revised regulatory environment and technology changes, as well as other evolving areas such as insurance regulations, litigation challenges, and the daily liability we are exposed to.”
Her work has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, Suzanne was named the inaugural winner of Busline Magazine’s “Women to Recognize in Busing”—a distinction made all the more meaningful by a nomination from her son and company vice president, Frank Montgomery IV.
As a member of the ABA Board, Suzanne hopes to support outreach, strengthen advocacy, and help guide ABA toward long-term strategic goals. “This is an opportunity to immerse myself in ABA’s mission and vision,” she says. “It’s a chance to represent members and speak up for the needs of our industry.”
Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys traveling with her husband, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and getting her hands dirty planting flowers in the garden.
Erin Sullivan: A Financial Strategist with a Passion for People
Erin Sullivan’s path into the motorcoach world came via finance—but quickly grew into something much more. After working at Fidelity Investments, Erin joined H&L Bloom, a family-owned business, as Assistant Controller. She rose through the ranks to become CFO, while also founding Bloom Tours in 2010—an operation that now offers more than 275 tours annually.
From school buses to charter services, Erin has a hand in nearly every aspect of the company, including charter sales and operational oversight. “I became deeply involved in all departments,” she says. “That gave me a comprehensive view of what it takes to deliver safe, quality travel experiences.”
She’s also been a vocal and effective advocate on the national stage, serving as the only bus industry representative on the FMCSA’s Women in Trucking Advisory Board. Her work helped produce a report to Congress focused on equity, opportunity, and safety for women in commercial driving.
Erin has long been active within ABA, notably as Chair of the Women in Buses Council, where she helped grow membership from 75 to over 500 and led innovative programming. “I’ve seen firsthand the power of collective action,” she says. “Serving on the Board is a natural next step.”
Erin was the recipient of this year’s Women in Buses Award for her unwavering commitment to industry progress, and previously served as Chair of the WIB Council.
“Our board is composed of respected leaders in our industry, and I am honored to serve alongside them and represent ABA members.” Erin brings deep knowledge of the issues operators face today: from parts shortages and insurance costs to staffing and pricing. But she also sees tremendous opportunity—particularly in leveraging social media and AI to boost promotion and streamline operations.
In her free time, Erin enjoys walking her two Boston Terriers, practicing yoga, playing tennis, and getting out on the water for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Moving Forward Together
With Stephanie Brooks, Erin Sullivan, and Suzanne Thornburg on the ABA Board of Directors, our association gains not just three experienced professionals, but three resilient, insightful, and passionate leaders. Each woman brings a distinctive lens—whether from global tour operations, family-run charters, or multigenerational transportation businesses.
Together, they represent the strength, innovation, and collaboration that define the ABA community. Please join us in welcoming these exceptional women to the Board. The future of group travel is in great hands.
