We are delighted to announce that St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, CA has expanded its operations with Minuteman. We are implementing a program at St. Jude that inlcudes valet parking attendants and self-parking cashiers. We had previously been conducting lane ambassador and shuttle operations at St. Jude and this change will broaden our service to the hospital. For over 50 years, St. Jude has met the needs of the community with values such as these:

DIGNITY

We respect each person as an inherently valuable member of the human community and as a unique expression of life.

SERVICE

We bring people together who recognize that every interaction is a unique opportunity to serve one another, the community, and society.

EXCELLENCE

We foster personal and professional development, accountability, innovation, teamwork, and commitment to quality.

JUSTICE

We advocate for systems and structures that are attuned to the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged and that promote a sense of community among all persons. These are the guiding principles for all we do, shaping our interactions with those whom we are privileged to serve.

Minuteman shares St. Jude’s values and outlook. St. Jude is the fifth hospital we have added to our growing portfolio of satisfied clients during this past year, and we are excited to start servicing its patients and visitors with compassion and respect.

Minuteman Parking would like to recognize one of our employees, Kirk Boardman, for his constant Commitment to Excellence in service.  Kirk is a Driveway Ambassador at the Manhattan Beach Marriott, and what he does on a daily basis for the guests and visitors at this hotel is what great service is all about.

Just ask Mr. Ric Wunn, a recent guest at the Manhattan Beach Marriott:

“While waiting for my team out front of the property each morning, I watched your Valet team.  Kirk, one of the team, was particularly interesting. When a car was delivered for a guest, if the party was not waiting, Kirk would grab a cleaning solution bottle, squeegee, and rag, and clean the windows.  He would occasionally stop and assess his work.  When the guest arrived, he would greet them, open the doors, load luggage, etc.  I don’t know if the guests all noticed, but I did.  I complimented him on his professionalism.

On June 3rd I gave a speech on professionalism to a group of high level managers.  In that speech I mentioned Kirk and his professional approach to what he did.  I told the group that Kirk didn’t just do the job, he owned the job.  Absolutely the finest Valet team in the business.

I am District Manager for all Air Traffic Control operations in Colorado and Wyoming.  My business is very exacting and complex.  I now have a goal of taking the Marriott Valet story to my own teams.  There is the old saying…’I know professionalism when I see it….and I know it even more when I don’t.’ At the Marriott Manhattan Beach, I SAW professionalism throughout the team. You can all be very proud of yourselves…I am.”

                                                                      -Ric Wunn, District Manager, FAA Denver Air Traffic District

I have had the pleasure of working with Kirk at multiple properties, both as a valet under his tutelage, and as his manager at his current location.  He taught me most of what I know about service.  His knack for remembering people is uncanny and is his greatest asset.  I believe that this comes not from some God-given talent, but from his passion for serving others.  Kirk truly enjoys knowing and helping all of our guests and does it with professionalism and enthusiasm every time he punches in for his shift.  Kirk makes the job fun and those around him laugh, but most of all, he makes each guest feel special and that is a prized ability in the hospitality industry. 

Ask anyone who has visited the Manhattan Beach Marriott in the past eight years and they will remember Kirk.  And even if they don’t remember his name, they will most certainly remember the enthusiastic and helpful blonde-haired character on the front drive who loves fishing.  I guarantee it.

- Ian Wilson

Earlier this month Minuteman became a voting member of the National Valet Parking Association. We are excited to join this elite group of leaders in the valet and parking industry. Every year, NVPA holds an annual conference and last year the association featured the first annual Valet Olympics! The next conference will be held March 2011 in Florida and Minuteman is looking forward to attending the event.

In addition to NVPA, Minuteman is also a member of the National Parking Association (NPA) which was founded in 1951 and has a membership of more than 1,000 private and public parking professionals.

We are delighted to show our support to both of these organizations. Let the parking begin!

We are delighted to announce that the Courtyard Pioneer Square is our latest new hotel property. Located in the heart of Seattle’s downtown historic center, the hotel will open in May 2010 and offer views of the beautiful Elliott Bay. The hotel is an adaptive reuse of the Alaska Building which was built in 1904 as the first steel building in the state of Washington.

Valet will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Courtyard will join our growing list of clients in the Seattle area. Some of our other Washington properties include the Seattle Airport Marriott, Remond Marriott Town Center, and The W Hotel Seattle.

Minuteman is excited to be a part of the opening of this historic building. We look forward to servicing the hotel’s guests who have come to visit the magnificent city of Seattle.

Orange County started off the month of March with one of the most successful tournaments in Champion Tour history—The Toshiba Classic. The tournament was held March 1^st through the 7^th in Newport Beach and Minuteman was happy to be a part of the event by providing complimentary off-site shuttles for the seven days. Over the past twelve years, the Toshiba Classic has raised $12 million for its primary beneficiary, Hoag Memorial Hospital, as well as other charities around Orange County.

This year, the Toshiba Classic went “green on the green” and offered the community an easy way to dispose of their e-waste. Guests were able to bring their outdated electronic equipment over the weekend in exchange for two complimentary tickets good for any one day of the tournament. This “Swing for the Green” event has given Orange County residents a responsible way to recycle their old and outdated electronics.

Another fun filled event that was held during the week was the Charles Schwab Family Day on Saturday March 6^th. Golf tour legends Fuzzy Zoeller and Andy Bean provided complimentary golf lessons at the Newport Beach Country Club driving range. Underprivileged children from various Orange County community organizations were given the opportunity to participate in the golf clinic. The event was a great way for children and their families to enjoy the weekend and participate in the game of golf.