Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Libman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I followed in my father’s footsteps. He operated and owed several courier organizations. From time to time, as a child, I went to work with my father. I was fascinated. At first it was the sounds in the Dispatch room that were exciting to me. Back then we used the Motorola radios with a hand set that made a squelching sound after you released the button you pushed to talk. Back then everyone could hear everyone else’s transitions. Now a days we pride ourselves how quiet our operations rooms are, but back then the noise kept my heart pounding. After a tour in the Marine Corps, it was a natural move for me to join the industry in which my family had already spent 30 years. I joined a company as a driver that was being run by my father. It was his requirement that I started as a driver. Shortly after, I was asked to become a sales person. I really enjoyed that aspect of the business. I was lucky enough to work with my father for several years. Unfortunately my father died young. As a family, we decided that the remaining partnership in my father’s business, would not have allowed us to create and maintain the kind of company we wanted. My brother and sister left the business but I stayed. I went to work for another small company for a couple of years. One day I got a call from Norm Nied of U.S. Messenger. Norm and his partner, Frank Gonzales operated a well-respected company that had been around since 1966. They were looking for someone to explore and create new lines of business. At that time 2004 U.S. Messenger was chiefly a routed delivery company, specializing in work for the financial industry. It was the prevailing thought that financial institutions which relied on courier company for many things, were going to change to a technology that made that type of transportation obsolete. Fast forward, it happened but not to the degree once thought. Frank and Norm were and still are industry mavens. They asked, I accepted. On my first day, I walk in the office and was warmly welcomed by the staff. I walked into Frank’s office and Norm was also standing there, they handing me a laptop computer, cell phone and an American Express card and said, “Go do what you do”. I have never looked back. I have been very lucky to have joined such an outstanding team. It 2009 Frank and Norm made me the President of U.S. Messenger. This, along with my daughter being born, remain my proudest moments.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We have experienced many obstacles along the way. I too have had personal and professional challenges. But all in all we have been very fortunate. We have made many personal sacrifices to ensure that even during the lean times, were viable and able to supply the finest service in the industry and provide the best opportunities for our delivery staff. The Small Business world is a hard road to travel for any business. Regulations are and have been a moving target, Insurance is very expensive and a proper understanding of employment models is critical so that you can protect our clients and staff. You have to love what you do to be an effective and professional messenger and we love what we do!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the U.S. Messenger story. Tell us more about the business.
U.S. Messenger is Chicagoland’s largest provider of Routed and On Demand Emergency Special Delivery as well as the largest provider of Internal Building Messenger Logistics in the country.
Bike messengers across the loop in minutes with an envelope, a truckload of critical parts across country or a blood specimen from a clinic to a laboratory. We are known for our professional management of the process. When we receive notification from our client that they need something delivered, they are trusting in our complete management of the process; from order entry, delivery staff supervision, and proof of delivery notification to custom billing for the transaction.
We are most proud of the fact that both our Staff Members and our Clients consider us to be the Best in Practices in this market.
What sets us apart is that we made a conscience choice to remain and Emergency Provider rather than taking the path that so many companies took by becoming next day, distribution provider for the home shopping boom. Every aspect of our business is “Right Now”.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck has been huge. “There but for the grace………” has left our lips many times. Personally, my life would have been completely different and very likely, not better if I hadn’t taken Norm and Franks offer.
We were in the right place at the right time for the creations of several of our division: Messenger Intercept, Life Sciences (STAT), Warehousing and Special Projects were all created because our clients asked us to fill a void. We were very lucky to have clients that recognized that our management process could be used to help their organizations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.usmessenger.net
- Phone: 630-286-0550
- Email: rlibman@usmessenger.net
- Facebook: facebook.com/usmessenger
- Twitter: twitter.com/usmessenger
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