Rick Versace
Rick Versace
Rick Versace Combines His Passion For Business With His Love Of Family
Family is clearly important to Rick Versace. His son Rick Jr., formerly with Goldman Sachs, heads up The Versace Investment Group, which partners with investors to purchase multifamily residential properties. His nephew Douglas Burnam, a former Army sergeant, runs Arrow Security Corp., Versace’s full-service security guard company. Peggy, his wife of 30 years, pretty much runs the show at A1A Airport and Limousine Service, which he founded after moving to Boca Raton from New York in 1996. His other nephew, Keith Soraci, is a fixture at trade shows and industry events.
“My passion is my family,” says Versace, father of five and grandfather of three. “We are close-knit, and the whole crew gets together at our house for Sunday dinner. It’s crazy and chaotic, but it’s my favorite time of the week.”
Versace may best be known his for limo service, which he launched after giving up a similar business in New York. He moved to Florida 22 years ago for a slower lifestyle, but his competitive nature led him to purchase one, then two and then several more limousine companies. Today, Versace has a fleet of approximately 50 company-owned vehicles and access to several dozen more. A1A services all of South Florida and has satellite offices in area hotels to provide onsite service to guests.
He attributes his business’ growth to providing unparalleled service, which not only means an on-time guarantee but also the use of technology that allows customers to connect directly with their drivers, providing greater efficiency.
Versace also is very involved in the community. He is a longtime member of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, is a deputy grand knight for Council 13172 at St. Jude Parish in Boca Raton and takes part in charitable activities with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Versace is looking to build his company into a national brand through franchising. He has already received a lot of interest and has sold several franchises.
“We want to do for the limo industry what Century 21 did for the real estate industry,” says Versace.
A1A Airport and Limousine Service is located at 1990 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Boca Raton. For more information, call561-391-4762 or visit a1alimo.com.
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