Association Member News

KENSINGTON, MD — Carl Ward, president of Executive Transportation, Inc., Newport, Ky., was named the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association's 2003 Limousine & Sedan Operator of the Year on Thursday, October 23, 2003. Mr. Ward was presented with this honor by TLPA President Gene Hauck and Vice President Brian Wier at TLPA's 85th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Reno, Nev.

"It is an honor to receive this award and I accept it on behalf of my family and staff," Carl Ward said in response to learning he had won the award. In his acceptance speech, he thanked his brother Gary and other family members for their hard work and contributions to the family transportation business.

"We believe in delivering the service we provide to our customers' full satisfaction," is how Carl Ward describes his business philosophy. "This is not talk but reality." His goals for the company are to "give your customers what they paid for. We also stress to our personnel not to worry about the competition, but to deliver what is expected and our customer base will stay and grow."

Carl Ward and his brother Gary took over operation of the family transportation business when their parents retired in 1972. Carl says that a plan that he and his brother devised greatly contributed to their success. "We continued to grow our business by purchasing competitors," he says. "We laid out a plan to start or buy a business every five years. Any new business had to be transportation oriented and had to be run from our location." Starting in the 1970s, the brothers' first new business was wheelchair-equipped vehicle services. In 1984, they purchased their largest taxi competitor, which also included van services.

Around 1986, Carl heard then-TLPA Vice President Joseph Chernow give a speech on using Lincoln Town Cars as an upgraded taxicab service in Houston. "I always kept that in my mind and when we decided to start a limousine service, I thought 'why not buy one sedan and see what happens?' " Carl says. "The sedan became the mainstay of our business."

In 1988, Carl and Gary started Executive Transportation with one limousine and one executive sedan. They then incorporated their van service into Executive Transportation. The company now consists of one limousine, 20 executive sedans and 40 vans serving the Northern Kentucky and greater Cincinnati area. "Our Executive Charter business began in 1993 with two MCI motor coaches," Carl says. "We now have a fleet of 10 motor coaches. Beginning in August 2001, we became the sole provider of van shuttle services from Greater Cincinnati International Airport to area hotels. In December 2001, we sold all our taxi and wheelchair van businesses."

To keep his customer base satisfied, "I preach service, service, service!" Carl says. "You do not need a special degree to operate a successful transportation company. You do need to understand that service is what you're selling and it needs to be your number one priority."

Carl was born in Newport, Kentucky, March 27, 1944. He is married to Norma and they have two children, Dennis Ward and Tammy Bravo. He notes that he and his brother Gary started the business with their parents. Now Dennis, Tammy and her husband, Rick Bravo, work within the company with each heading different divisions. Carl says his hobbies are golf and his grandchildren.

In his letter nominating Carl Ward for this honor, 2003 TLPA Paratransit & Contracting Operator of the Year Brian Somerman stated, "This is a special man in our industry who has for 43 years worked with his family to make transportation available to the greater Cincinnati region. Carl Ward is a leader and a gentleman. He is a successful family man and a successful ground transportation entrepreneur. He serves on the board and is the past chairman of the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau and is a member of the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau and local chambers of commerce. He is a past member of the TLPA Board of Directors. He has been a quiet credit to our industry and is most deserving of this recognition."

In honor of his dedication and years of service to his community, family, and this association, the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association is very proud to honor Carl Ward as the TLPA 2003 Limousine & Sedan Operator of the Year.