CEO Hollis Johnson at his headquarters in Savannah, Ga.
BY SUSAN ROSE
When Hollis Johnson founded Above & Beyond Limousine Service in 2010, he didn’t set out to build one of Savannah’s most respected chauffeured transportation services. In fact, at first, he didn’t want to start a transportation company at all. But life—and a little encouragement from celebrity chef and TV personality Paula Deen and her family—had other plans.
“I was doing security and transportation for Paula for years,” Johnson recalls. “Her family saw how I managed the logistics, and one day they said, ‘Hollis, you’re really good at this. You need to start your own company.’ I wasn’t sure at first, but I pushed myself to get started and look where I am now.”
With years of experience providing security and arranging transportation for high-profile clients, Johnson knew what world-class service looked like. He launched Above & Beyond with a single vision: deliver exceptional service that lives up to the name.
“My entire team makes me look like a champion—but they’re the champions.” – Hollis Johnson, CEO of Above & Beyond Limousine ServiceToday, the company operates a fleet of nearly 50 vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, Sprinters, and specialty options for VIPs and large groups. Clients come from all walks of life: from corporate travel and high-end retail to politicians, celebrities, and even elderly travelers who simply need a steady hand at the airport. (The company holds unique TSA-authorized credentials that allow them rare access to special areas of the airport.) Regardless of the customer, the goal remains the same: “Go above and beyond for every client, every time,” he notes.
Johnson with part of his office team (L to R): CSR Adrian Johnson, CSR Renee Williams, Head Detailer Victor Baker, Lead Chauffeur Toni Sumner, and Office Manager Jamia Bailey Savannah, Georgia, nestled along the Savannah River on the South Carolina line, is both a quintessentially Southern destination and like no other city in the US. From the marshy sands and islands of the Atlantic to the exquisite pre-war architecture draped in luscious old-growth vegetation, Savannah is a blend of modern industry and old-time charm. While industries like aerospace and heavy equipment manufacturing take advantage of the location’s excellent ports, nobody does to-die-for cuisine quite like Savannah—there’s a good reason why Paula Deen made the Lowcountry her home. Johnson’s roots in the Savannah community run deep. He’s not just a business owner—he’s a church leader, a mentor, and a champion for first and second chances. In fact, the busy entrepreneur still holds another full-time job as a longshoreman. From feeding thousands all year long through his church, Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship, to helping formerly incarcerated men reintegrate through support organizations like the Man Up Group, to connecting youth with scholarship and employment opportunities through the Quarterback Club and the League of Brawn, Johnson sees his success as a platform for giving back and to put action to words. Even when there isn’t a place for them on his own team, he’ll work tirelessly with other area businesses to find them a soft landing.
He’s even changing attitudes in an unlikely way: as a Harley-Davidson enthusiast.
“I’m a Harley guy. It’s one of the biggest things that I love to do,” he says. “I’m a part of a motorcycle club that’s very involved with the community called the Soulful Riders. People think guys in these clubs are dangerous, but we kind of changed that. We go out and do things like helping young men, feeding the homeless, and just trying to build up the community.”
Operations Manager Kenneth Patton (left) and Johnson show off their chauffeur uniforms His company reflects that same ethos. Johnson prefers to hire employees rather than work with contractors, but he always attracts like-minded, hard-working folks like himself. The team includes former law enforcement officers, like Operations Managers Kenneth Patton and Ramona Famble, Office Manager Jamia Bailey, about a dozen CSRs and dispatchers, several detailers, as well as Johnson’s own family members. His chauffeur roster is up to 80, both full- and part time. His wife, Roshawn, manages the company’s finances and serves as co-owner. His son, Roshad, returned to Above & Beyond as an adult and now works in operations as assistant manager. “I learned from the best, and now I try to give back the same way.” – Hollis Johnson“I once fired my own son when he wasn’t taking it seriously. Six years later, he earned his way back,” he says, proudly noting his son’s maturity and responsibility. “I treat my detailers the same way I treat my managers. They’re the rock stars that nobody sees. My entire team makes me look like a champion—but they’re the champions.”
That humility defines Johnson. Though he holds the title of CEO, you might still find him behind the wheel, driving for a last-minute client or covering a group booking himself. If you were an attendee of the recent CD/NLA Executive Retreat this past June, you experienced Johnson’s welcoming service firsthand. The title is secondary to him.
Johnson with Michael Groover, Paula Deen’s husband Johnson has built Above & Beyond into a recognized name, earning six “Best of Savannah” awards and being honored by the Savannah Economic Development Authority during Black History Month. He’s quick to credit his success to the long list of mentors and peers in the chauffeured transportation industry who guided him early on, including operators like Scott Woodruff of Majestic Limo & Bus, Charles Royal of Royal Limousine, Khari Dickson of Divine Chariots Limousines, Todd Davis of D5 Professional Services, Claude Cristea of Williamsburg Chauffeur, Maria Priestly of Empire Elite Limousine, Tim Crockett of TAG, Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine, and Eric Devlin of Premier Transportation/Hoffmann. “I learned from the best, and now I try to give back the same way,” he says. “When people visit Savannah, I want them to experience the best this industry has to offer.”
That spirit extends to affiliate partnerships nationwide. Like his mentors before him, Johnson regularly travels to other operators’ businesses to learn, offer his own advice, and to be inspired. He says that knowledge should be free.
“I promised my mom I’d be a leader, not a follower,” he says. “My business gives me the ability to help people—not just with jobs, but with hope.” [CD0925]
