Planet Cool: Operators Embrace, Make Changes

Neil Spenta, president and CEO, American Corporate Sedan and Limousine, San Diego, Calif.

If there’s one term that defines operator Neil Spenta, it’s cutting-edge. It’s not every day you meet someone who commands a fleet comprised mostly of Teslas. “I decided using these cars for a luxury transportation service could help get Tesla some publicity, as well as save on maintenance and energy costs,” he says.

The company uses Model X SUVs, which can travel 260 miles in one charge, and are mostly charged using sustainable electricity. “These vehicles are extremely quiet and eliminate heavy vibration, unlike traditional gasoline powered SUVs,” he explains. “They also feature cool, functional falcon-wing doors for easy client entry and exit.”

For operators who have never really considered using electric vehicles for this kind of work, Spenta urges you to give them a chance. “They’re an amazing vehicle for livery work that can almost drive themselves on the freeway, seat six passengers comfortably, swallow a lot of luggage, improve the quality of life for your drivers, and keep the air clean around you.” The company’s Teslas have driven more than 150,000 miles collectively during the last 18 months. “That in itself saved us from buying around $30,000 worth of gasoline, and reduces around 150,000 pounds of CO2 emissions — and that’s all in just 18 months, with no maintenance other than tires.”

Fun Fact: Neil loves hanging out with friends and family, and traveling in his personal Tesla. As a tech geek, he enjoys tinkering with computers and exploring new technology categories such as drones and wearable tech.

Carsten Kahner, director of affiliate management, Blacklane, Berlin, Germany

Unlike TNC executives, Blacklane’s director of affiliate management Carsten Kahner walks the talk and actually visits companies who want to become affiliates — and that’s pretty cool. His team has traveled to more than 20 countries and met with more than 500 of the company’s local partners.

Although one can schedule rides online or via its app, Blacklane is about the furthest thing from a TNC. “We aren’t just a tech company,” he explains. “Technology is great, and it’s a major facilitator — it’s the backbone of our business, but the differentiator is the local chauffeur and operator. We understand the chauffeur is the face of your company and is the one that has contact with the customer. Our mindset, culture, and daily operations take all of this into account.”

One unique attirbute of being a Blacklane partner is operators get access to customers who normally wouldn’t consider using luxury ground transportation. Most rides are airport runs and the average trip is mid- to long-distance. This allows users a chance to really enjoy the difference in quality and service Uber and Lyft drivers lack.

“The industry by nature is global, and we can provide [small businesses] access to a global customer base, not just additional revenue and rides, which helps them grow,” he says.

Fun Fact: Carsten’s hobbies include sailing, biking, hiking, and relaxing with his family.

Aaron Schiff, president, Ascot Limousine, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Millennial operator Aaron Schiff proves it’s cool to be kind. With his meticulous attention to detail, Schiff knows it’s important to stay one step ahead by anticipating client needs, and then meeting and exceeding their expectations. To do this, he advises other operators to “treat your employees well.”

He believes keeping your best people happy reduces turnover time. “25% of the chauffeur staff has been here 15 years or longer,” he says. Schiff offers his employees 401k plans, pays for half their health care, and has a profit sharing incentive. “Also, always try to see it from your employee’s perspective. Incentivize those who work late shifts; start them a few dollars higher than you normally would.” He also gives his staff bonuses at the end of the year and holds work parties.

Schiff has been involved in every aspect of the limo business, except being a chauffeur. “I started out doing event coordinating at award shows. Then I came into the office and learned how to do reservations, eventually became a dispatcher, and then worked in accounting,” he says. After experiencing all of those roles, he jumped into the vice president position. “It was a little overwhelming at first, but it made the transition from vice president to president a little bit easier.”

Fun Fact: Aaron loves to surf and bodyboard, plays guitar, and enjoys graffiti art.

Leandro Pires, president, Royal American Worldwide Limousine, Miami, Fla. and São Paulo, Brazil

After earning a degree in hospitality management and studying finance, Leandro Pires was hired by one of the coolest, most distinguished brands in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, at its location in Naples, Fla. There he observed and learned from the chauffeured service it provided. After he combined his parents’ company in Brazil with the one he started in Miami, he has since been able to implement the same kind of service.

One of the lessons he has learned is that, especially in today’s market, you have to be picky when selecting affiliates. To maintain your reputation and relationships with clients, you have to do more than just call up or email another luxury ground transportation company. “We go to every single location before we start doing jobs with affiliates,” he says. “Our selection process is something that makes us unique. We want to choose the best of every city to represent us.”

Pires also stresses the importance of checking for a company’s compliance with state and federal regulations, as well as making sure the businesses you are working with have proper insurance coverage.

Fun Fact: Leandro enjoys spending time with his two young children, playing golf, and as an entrepreneur, trying to find ways to make people’s lives easier.

William “Billy” Jinks, president and CEO, JET Limousines, Phoenix, Ariz.

Billy Jinks knows the key to running a cool company is having a diverse fleet and keeping up with technology. “I personally couldn’t survive with just one vehicle type, and we really pride ourselves on having one of the most diverse fleets in the valley. I literally have every category in house from sedans to motorcoaches,” he says.

Being a younger operator has given him a deeper understanding of changing customer needs. “This generation doesn’t want to use a phone book or call for a quote. People like to type and text. We have live chat options on our website, a feature where someone can actually text our number for a quote to which we can respond quickly with pricing and pictures.”

Growing up, he became obsessed with the limousine industry in elementary school after his family took multiple trips to the airport from a local company. As time progressed, Jinks started “hanging out” at the company’s office at the age of 10. He began by just watching and listening, and progressed to cleaning cars and stocking them with ice and water. He says he knew throughout elementary school and junior high he wanted to own a luxury ground transportation company.

“My first company didn’t do so well for many reasons,” he says. “Luckily, I started and essentially failed all before I was 21, and was grateful for a second chance. I think having such an early passion for this industry was unique for me. I received a tremendous amount of media coverage being a teenager with 21 vehicles. I also think nearly losing everything and being able to start over several years later was not only a blessing, but a great accomplishment.”

After Jinks sold what was left of his first company, he went to work for a local large bus business and saved every penny he earned. Two years later, he started his current company with three sedans. Today, JET is approaching 50 vehicles and plans to continue expanding.

Fun Fact: In addition to the limousine industry, Jinks also has an equally large respect for law enforcement. Five years ago, he joined the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office as a volunteer.