BY ROB SMENTEK
L to R: Indy Executive Limo leadership Operations Manager Dinesh Thapar, Managing Director Gary Bhullar, and Manager Peter Sahota
It goes without saying that the Indy 500 represents the pinnacle of racing and high-octane thrill, attracting global attention every year. But behind the scenes, operators like Indy Executive Limo Managing Director Gary Bhullar work hard at delivering white-glove service with their vehicles to provide safe and punctual rides to the VIP spectators.
“The Indy 500 is always a huge undertaking. One year, we managed a 12-vehicle setup for a corporate group flying in just for race weekend. We coordinated everything from private hangars to hotels to exclusive hospitality and after-parties. It was high-pressure and logistically intense, but it went off flawlessly—and those are the moments that remind you why you do this,” says Bhullar.
“The freedom I experienced in luxury transportation made all the difference in the world.” – Gary Bhullar, Managing Director of Indy Executive LimoA veteran of the corporate world himself, Bhullar has loved the world of luxury ground transportation since he first got behind the wheel of a sedan, driving part-time in New York City, where he was initially based.
“I was working for AT&T in 2007 but had a friend with a chauffeured transportation company who brought me in part-time and would give me clients. At the time, I had a BMW 7 Series with TLC plates. I really enjoyed the work, so I quit my corporate job, and started working in luxury ground transportation fulltime as a one-car operator in N.Y. By 2009, I started working with luxury hotels, including the Essex House and the Plaza Hotel.”
In 2011, Bhullar added a Mercedes-Benz S-Class to his burgeoning business, eventually founding NYC Executive Limo in 2013. As a chauffeur (and entrepreneur), he says that he never looked back on leaving the skyscrapers and high-pressure world of the corporate environment.
Bhullar (center) with his team at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts “The freedom I experienced in luxury transportation made all the difference in the world. When I was in the corporate world, we were under a lot of stress, especially during the period when Cingular Wireless was purchased by AT&T. While this business certainly can have a lot of pressure, I felt the chauffeured transportation world was much easier. Today, things are admittedly hectic, but we’ve grown; we have a larger fleet and more employees to help,” adds Bhullar. By 2018, NYC Executive Limo was riding high, adding luxury SUVs to its vehicle lineup. The company continued its steady growth, serving corporate clients as well as talent and representatives of the music industry. Ultimately, COVID would rear its ugly head and cause Bhullar to step back a bit. He was forced to reduce his 15-car fleet to just five vehicles. However, the work slowdown caused by the pandemic provided the operator with an opportunity to re-evaluate things and contemplate a change of scenery.
“Most of my family moved to Indiana in 2015. While NYC Executive got busy again after COVID, we moved to Indianapolis where we eventually started Indy Executive Limo, and we started growing here,” says Bhullar. “We still have our NYC operation; I travel there once a month. Operations Manager Dinesh Thapar handles the East Coast office, but I am fully involved with the company, though.”
Offering a perfect balance of affordability and city life, as well as cost of living well below the national average, Indianapolis is a growing market for a luxury transportation operator. The city is home to a thriving sports culture, including the aforementioned Indy 500—not to mention the NBA’s Pacers and NFL’s Colts, two teams with a loyal fanbase. As a hub for health care industries, and a growing tech powerhouse, it’s an increasingly attractive destination for young professionals and families alike.
Kamal Saini (left) and Prabhjot Singh, essential members of the Indy Executive team While Indiana is rife with opportunity, Bhullar admits that it’s a very different market and lifestyle than New York. “In some ways, the market in Indianapolis is tough,” he says. “Things move slower than in N.Y., and it’s a smaller sphere. Let’s just say, if one operator is booked, then everyone is booked. Fortunately, we have a lot of corporate work in Indiana, and we service our customers all over the area. We regularly drive clients to and from cities like Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and even Detroit. We also get affiliate bookings that take us beyond the Indy metro area. Our fleet is built for comfort on long trips, so we’re always ready to go wherever our clients need us,” says Bhullar.
With just a few years under the belt, Indy Executive has become a leading operator in the market. In addition to providing excellent service, part of the company’s appeal, says Bhullar, is their up-to-date fleet.
“All of the fleet in Indiana is new. I just received some new Cadillac Escalades from Colonial Cadillac in Massachusetts—I always buy from them. We offer the Lincoln Nautilus and a 28-passenger Grech mini-coach. We also have two Sprinters from First Class Customs. We primarily run ’24 and ’25 model years—except for our stretch limousine.”
Yes, Bhullar still finds a great deal of demand for his stretch, even if the vehicle has fallen out of favor among operators.
“You’d be surprised, in Indiana, we do a lot of work with the stretch limo. They’re popular in N.Y. too, but rules and regulations are very different and much stricter there. We got the stretch in Indiana two years ago, and I didn’t realize how many people would love it. Every weekend it’s booked. I’ve offered the Sprinters to some clients, but they come back and say, ‘we don’t want a van; we want the limo,’” says Bhullar.
Having that diverse fleet is just one thing that sets Indy Executive apart, Bhullar believes.
“Our biggest strength is understanding what both clients and affiliates need from us. I’m very detail-oriented—whether it’s making sure the car looks perfect, the driver arrives early, or the client feels taken care of from start to finish. I also make it a point to always be available when someone needs me. That peace of mind goes a long way in this business,” he says.
Bhullar’s heightened attention to detail, and commitment to service, sometimes leads him to get back behind the wheel of the vehicle.
Bhullar at Indianapolis Executive Airport “I think it’s important to stay hands-on and connected to the operation. Whether it’s a big event or a last-minute situation, stepping in when needed shows the team I’m in it with them. It also helps me make sure the level of service we promise is actually being delivered,” says Bhullar. But Bhullar is quick to note that although he plays a vital role in the company, he doesn’t do it alone. Indy Executive has a staff of seven (with 11 in the NYC office).
“I have a good team in place,” he says. “I couldn’t do it without them. I’m pleased to have staff like Kamal Saini and Prabhjot Singh, who are essential members of the Indy Executive team, ensuring smooth operations and outstanding client experiences every day.”
However, finding reliable and efficient staff is a challenge that he faces regularly.
“It’s not easy to find good employees,” says Bhullar. “You’re looking for people who are not just good drivers, but also reliable, professional, and people-oriented. We usually find great talent through referrals, word of mouth, and local job boards. For chauffeurs, personality and attitude matter just as much as driving skills. We try to make it worthwhile for them too—offering flexible hours and performance-based bonuses.”
Once onboarded, Bhullar oversees the training of his team—given the experience he has a chauffeur.
“I personally train the employees because, frankly, I’ve been doing this for a long time and actually started with high-end clients. But honestly, I’m still learning. Until a few years ago, I had never been to the trade shows. Since then, however, I’ve found them invaluable for networking and education. I’ve learned a lot from the CD/NLA shows and met numerous affiliates,” says Bhullar.
The Bhullar family—the heart and soul of Indy Executive Bhullar also values the mentorship he’s received from his cousin, Goldie Bhullar, the well-respected owner of Angel Limousine Service on the West Coast. “Goldie is very important to me. He’s the one who told me to go to the shows,” adds Bhullar. The operator is also involved in national and regional associations, as well as Indianapolis-area business organizations.
“I’ve been a member of the National Limousine Association for the past several years,” says Bhullar. I’m also a member of the Illinois Limousine and Bus Association, and plan to join the Chauffeured Transportation Association of New Jersey, as well. I’ve made it a point to connect with local business owners through chambers of commerce and neighborhood events. We’ve also sponsored school programs and community festivals. It’s a great way to give back, and it helps us stay connected to the people we serve.”
Another area of growth for Indy Executive is their investment in technology.
“Without a doubt, technology keeps everything running smoothly. We use Limo Anywhere for booking and dispatch, QuickBooks for accounting, and GPS tracking to monitor our fleet. Communication tools help us stay in sync with chauffeurs in real time. On the client side, we use CRM systems and email marketing to keep relationships strong and stay top of mind. We also use GNet for managing affiliate work with partners who don’t operate on Limo Anywhere, ensuring seamless coordination across different platforms,” says Bhullar.
While one might assume that running two businesses in two vastly different markets would keep Bhullar occupied, he also wheels and deals in real estate.
“I work with a lot of big builders, and I might get a referral from a chauffeur that someone is looking for a house. But I don’t advertise that business; it’s entirely word of mouth. I enjoy it very much,” he says.
But luxury ground transportation is where Bhullar’s passion lies.
“We are a small, family-owned business that started from zero, but what I love most about this industry is the variety—no two days are alike. We might handle a wedding one day and a high-stakes corporate event or the Indy 500 the next. That energy keeps things exciting.” [CD0825]
