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Windy City Limousine’s new Transit, modified by Battisti Customs
Chicago—When George Jacobs, president of Windy City Limousine, heard that the new Ford Transit was going to be available as a limo van in North America this year, he quickly placed an order for the very first one.
“I’m very proud to own the first Ford Transit limo in the U.S.,” Jacobs said. “It’s a slick vehicle. It’s a Ford, so you have the immediate confidence factor. It’s less expensive to put together than an eight-passenger limousine, and it has more seating and more amenities. I really think this vehicle is going to take off.”
Battisti Customs of Elkhart, Ind., converted a black Transit high-roof, extended wheelbase cargo van into the luxurious 13-passenger limo van. It features a wood floor, black leather couch-style seating, two flat-screen TVs, and a bar. There’s also plenty of headroom so passengers can comfortably walk to their seats.
Windy City VP Kathy Kahne andPresident George Jacobs Bill Battisti, president of Battisti Customs, estimates that the Transit limo van will cost at least $10,000 less than other limo van alternatives and “fuel savings will be significant.” Transit is available with a choice of three engines, the standard 3.7-liter V6, an available 3.5-liter EcoBoost® or 3.2-liter Power Stroke® diesel. Transit low- and medium-roof regular wheelbase wagons with the standard 3.7-liter V6 or the EcoBoost engine get a 14/19 mpg (city/highway) EPA-estimated fuel economy rating (the available 3.2-liter Power Stroke diesel is not EPA-rated).
Jacobs said that the Transit limo will fill an important niche between traditional limousines and party buses. He expects it to be popular for a wide range of customer applications, including weddings and proms; group outings to concerts, sporting events and the theater; and for use by destination management companies.
“This is something with pizzazz,” he said. “Customers won’t forget it and they’ll want to book it again. If our first Transit limo van starts to sell out like I think it will, then I’m going to buy many more.”
Operators can order Transit wagons for typical shuttle applications in addition to Transit limo vans. Transit wagons are available in three roof heights and three body lengths with seating for eight, 10, 12, and 15 passengers. In addition to Battisti Customs, Tiffany Coachworks of Corona, Calif., and Executive Coach Builders of Springfield, Mo., have built and sold their first Transit limo vans as well.
Visit windycitylimos.com for more information.
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Deb Kosmicki, Director of Weddings, Special Occasions and Tours Nashville, Tenn. — Grand Avenue Worldwide recently announced that Deb Kosmicki, who joined the company last July, has been named director of weddings, special occasions and tours. Additionally, Grand Avenue hired Nicole Staggs as director of business development.
Kosmicki will oversee current wedding and special event transportation services, as well as pursue new opportunities, such as historic Nashville tour packages, date nights, and girls’ night out events. Staggs will focus on developing client relationships here in Nashville and nationally.
Nicole Staggs, Director of Business Development “We are thrilled to announce Deb as our Director of Weddings, Special Occasions and Tours and to welcome Nicole to the team,” said Carl Haley, CEO and president of Grand Avenue. “They both have robust backgrounds in developing strong relationships with clients and will be tremendous assets to Grand Avenue as we continue to grow our business.”
Kosmicki brings 15 years of experience in sales, hospitality, and event coordination. Prior to moving to Nashville, she served as president and CEO of Tier One Crewing, which provided television crews for live sports telecasts of professional sporting events in the Denver area. She also has coordinated livecast concerts and managed music festivals.
Staggs previously worked in marketing for Tomkats, a premiere on-site catering service and restaurant management group. She also served as the sales and client relations manager for Acme Feed & Seed and The Southern Steak & Oyster restaurant where she focused on developing mutually beneficial relationships with local businesses and executing events. She is involved in the local autism awareness community and has served as the chair and co-chair of the “Pieces of Hope” fundraiser for the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee.
Visit grandavenueworldwide.com for more information.
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Congressman Long tours Springfield Coach Group, hearing about the business from Kevin West (far right) and Gary Spaniak III, vice president of sales and marketing (center, blue shirt)
Springfield, Mo. — U.S. Rep. Billy Long spent May 7 touring manufacturing facilities in Missouri’s Seventh District, seeing firsthand the growth in area industry.
In a press release circulated by the Congressman’s office, he detailed his stops along the tour, the first of which was Springfield Coach Group. Springfield has expanded its operation over the past year, and has added a mobility-focused line of vehicles, which allow wheelchair-bound individuals easy self-transfer to cars. Kevin West, vice president of Springfield Coach Builder’s mobility, sedan, bus, and channel partner divisions, said it began with the idea of helping wounded veterans returning from combat to have wider access to vehicles than just minivans.
West and his team went over regulations with Long and asked for his help in Congress to reduce some of these regulations, which would hopefully lead to expansion of economic opportunities. Keeping up with regulations is a task for the business. “I could have 10 people in the office looking at regulations” and still not see it all, West said.
Despite the regulatory hurdles, Springfield Coach Group has grown, doubling its employees from 25 to 50 since October 2014. Even better, West said he may need to double the size of the staff again soon.
Visit limoland.com for more information.
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