Success On Wheels

By Ryan Carter, Staff Writer Whittier Daily News

WHITTIER - Since Alan Blomker founded Secure Transportation back in 1980, the firm has traveled a lot of miles on its route to success. What Blomker began with a hearse and a stretch car to transport people to and from funerals, has turned into four offices, where 200 employees make sure a fleet of 135 vehicles - from limousines to coach buses - gets people to where they need to go.

Back in the beginning, it was just a living. Blomker, who was inspired to start the business after being a funeral escort on a motor bike, didn't see the growth coming. "I never imagined we would be as big as we are today," he said, adding that employing so many people "is humbling."

By 1985, things started taking off, said Blomker's son, Steve Dobbs, who came on shortly after the business started and ultimately became its president. That's when the business started transporting clients to medical centers for non-emergency, medically-related rides. Today, that part of the business has jumped to 500 such transports a day, Dobbs said. You may even recognize their name from the road, as they shuttle disabled veterans to their medical appointments, oncology patients to hospitals and seniors to adult day care centers. "We're extremely proud of what we do," Dobbs said. "We take it very seriously."

What they also take seriously are the challenges inherent in running such a business. Blomker remembered vividly about five years ago when workers' compensation costs were driving the firm under. Faced with 16 months in a row of losing money, Dobbs had to face longtime employees and lay it on the line. He had to freeze wages; the firm had to ask vendors for discounts. But one thing he didn't do was cut workers - reflecting a notion offered by his father: that good service comes from your employees, who should be the last thing you cut.

The company made it through only to face another hurdle: rising fuel prices. Dobbs hasn't forgotten the $101,000 fuel bill the company was faced with in the midst of a gas spike two years ago. Still, the company has continued to grow - recently opening an office in San Jose to add to its Whittier headquarters, and offices in Riverside and San Diego.

The family touted the firm's recent contract to manage ground transportation for the TED Conference, a prestigious global tech industry event that this year was held in Long Beach. What's the secret to the longevity, and how have they kept it in the family for 30 years? For Blomker, he always felt he and his son agreed on most things in the business, and that has kept the family running it - including Dobbs' wife, Pilar, and sister-in-law Anne Marin. For Steve Dobbs, the key thing was something his father instilled in him. "It is to treat people with respect, whether they are sweeping the floor or running the company," he said.

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Paintbrushes to Garden Eels

Charitable Giving at The Long Beach Aquarium

The classroom was full of young children eagerly awaiting instructions. Every child had a white smock adorned with seahorses on the front, a handful of paintbrushes, and two blank, white tiles.

At the front of the classroom, a professional artist explained the best techniques for painting these tiles. Everyone listened intently because these tiles were destined to be permanent works of art—soon to be displayed at the new Nordstorm’s in Cerritos. Sponsored by Nordstrom’s, this event was held at the Aquarium.

Two parents who accompanied their children to the tile-painting were deeply moved by the children’s artwork and especially by their children’s obvious love of the ocean. Parents Steve and Pilar Dobbs were so inspired that they sought out a staff member and asked how they might become Pacific Circle members in support of the Aquarium. While the tile-painting experience created the opportunity to inspire, Steve and Pilar Dobbs had actually been visiting the Aquarium for years. As their love for the Aquarium grew, they decided to take their support to the next level. In conjunction with their partner, Anne Marin, at Secure Transportation, they chose to make an additional corporate gift of $10,000 to the Aquarium to sponsor an exhibit. Secure Transportation provides entertainment, executive, and personal assistance transportation while maintaining a strong commitment to the environment. The company has initiated a Green Fleet Project that includes a significant percentage of hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles among its transportation options.

Anne Marin and Steve and Pilar Dobbs toured the Aquarium to select their exhibit and chose the Garden Eels in the Gulf of California gallery. Not only do their children love the garden eels that peek out from their burrows and look like sea grass, but they also loved how the magnifying glass encouraged children to take a closer look. Anne was delighted with their exhibit choice and said, “These garden eels are marvelous creatures, and we are proud to sponsor an exhibit that encourages learning and science.” Anne Marin and Steve and Pilar Dobbs learned firsthand that there are many ways to support the Aquarium.

For more information on Pacific Circle membership, exhibit sponsorship, or other ways that you can support our animal ambassadors, please call (562) 951-1664.

Aquarium of the Pacific 2010 Summer Newsletter article on page 19.