The name Fisk Limousine is kind of a misnomer. People automatically think of limousines, which is good, because that's how (owner J. Howard Fisk) started, with limousines. But I describe it as more of a transportation company because the biggest share of our business is in minibuses. We range in 14- to 35-passenger units. We still do limousine work, and we still do livery service and cars, and we still do airport work and take people to various venues. We've got roughly 55 part-time drivers, and then in the office, there are three of us besides Mr. and Mrs. Fisk and Maggie, the dog. I worked with Martin Rental and Leasing for a couple of years (when) Mr. Fisk bought the operation, and I've been with Fisk for 11 years.
What's your day-to-day role?
I basically oversee the day-to-day operations. I take care of scheduling maintenance for vehicles and scheduling drivers. I do take reservations and bookings, and I work with some of the bigger groups on airport transportation, some of their bus needs for when they have a convention. ... I work with the university on the routes that we run on campus. My goal is to keep operating a safe fleet.
How large is the company's vehicle fleet?
On the (Missouri State University) campus, we do have the transportation contract for their on-campus shuttles. We have 15 units (there). They're 18-passenger, lift-equipped buses. (For) our charter work, we have 14 buses ... that range from 14 to 35 passengers. We also have about six different sedans that we use, two limousines and three (sport utility vehicles). We have our own drivers. But on the other side, we also have a fleet of rental vans that people can rent and drive themselves - minivans and 12- to 15-passenger vans. We've got 21 rental vehicles altogether.
With that many vehicles, how do you manage the maintenance schedule?
I just set up a system on an Excel spreadsheet where I list all the vehicles and I keep track of the mileage. I have my own preventive maintenance schedule that I follow ... basically on mileage. That's where my background as a mechanic comes in handy, because I know when certain things need to be done, and I'm still a firm believer that preventive maintenance saves more money than it costs.
Do you have a mileage maximum for Fisk vehicles?
Not really, because we've run vehicles over 200,000 miles, and they're still in excellent working condition when we do sell them. We try to keep a fairly current fleet. Right now, I think our oldest vehicle in the fleet is a 1998 and that's just more or less a backup vehicle now. Most of them average between 2004 and 2009 models.
Why did you switch from hands-on mechanic work to more administrative work?
Actually, I injured my hand. I developed a blood clot in my left hand, and I had to give it up. They had to take a vein from my forearm and put it in the palm of my hand ... so I had to come up with something new. It took me a little while ... to rehab the hand, but Mr. Fisk took a chance on me, and it's worked out pretty well.
What are the biggest industry changes you've seen?
The technology on the vehicles has really changed drastically. I remember as they came about people were complaining about the new changes and how much more expensive they were to repair. But if you stop and think, the mileage you get out of vehicles is a lot more than we used to, and they're a lot more fuel-efficient. ... All of the MSU buses now are equipped with the flex engines where they use E-85 fuel and gasoline. ... Hiring drivers over the last 11 years has changed considerably. All of our drivers are required to have a commercial license (so) they can drive any vehicle in the fleet. Insurance is another thing that's changed drastically in the last 10 years. There are a lot more requirements, (such as) an annual physical and a criminal background check.
Do you ever fill in for company drivers?
Yes, Mr. Fisk and I both will, when we have somebody get sick. I remember a time when we ran two night routes at MSU and both people called in sick, and both Mr. Fisk and I ran the night route from 6 to 12 on a Saturday night. Some of the other drivers were coming in from other runs and they gave us such a hard time, asking us if we were properly checked out.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
