Everyone in Hibbing knows Fraboni’s – the kind of neighborhood institution every Minnesota town seems to have. The place where you recognize the smell before you reach the door. Where the stories travel faster than the sausage.
“When I was a kid, going anywhere with my Grandfather Leo was like traveling with the mayor,” says Gus Ortis, founder of Executive Transportation. “People didn’t admire him because he was famous. They admired him because he created jobs, supported families, and treated everyone with care. That stuck with me early – success is measured by what you give to your community.”
That early lesson didn’t fade. It matured. By the time most students were planning internships, Gus was running a semi-truck trailer rental and a card playing league that eventually expanded into game events. “College was great,” Gus jokes, “but building something real was what got me out of bed in the morning. The more I learned about business, the harder it was to focus anywhere else.”
In 2007, at twenty-four, he made a leap that would shape the next two decades: he launched Executive Transportation with two immaculate black stretch limousines and a goal he still repeats today – deliver service so good, it builds relationships for life.
Opening a luxury transportation company months before the 2008 recession is a test most business plans don’t survive. Private celebrations slowed. Big moments became smaller ones. But the need for reliable, secure transportation in the business world grew, especially in corporate travel and professional logistics.
“If you listen closely, markets tell you where to go,” Gus says. “We kept the heart of our business – weddings, anniversaries, celebrations – but shifted our focus to what Minnesota’s private sector was asking for: consistent, stress-free transportation with a personal touch.”
Over the next decade, Executive Transportation evolved into a full-service private car company for executives, conferences, global travelers, and large-scale events. The fleet grew from two vehicles to a range of luxury sedans, SUVs, 14-passenger vans, and executive coaches capable of moving individuals, families, entire departments, or thousands of attendees. Today, Executive Transportation arranges services for clients traveling across the country and abroad, offering a single point of contact to coordinate every ride along their journey.
Even as the fleet expanded, Gus realized something important. “The real edge isn’t the car,” he says. “It’s the person behind the wheel.”
Over the years, Gus learned something most transportation companies don’t think about. People expect professional service from someone who understands what professionalism feels like. Executives don’t just need transportation, they need mental space between moments.
“Our chauffeurs aren’t just safe, courteous drivers,” Gus explains. “They’re former executives, business owners, and career professionals themselves. They’ve lived the early flight before the board meeting. They understand the pressure of getting three tasks done during a twenty-five-minute ride. They can tell when someone needs conversation and when someone needs silence.”
That philosophy influences everything Executive does. The company keeps detailed service profiles – favorite beverages, preferred playlists, quiet rides between meetings, scenic detours for visiting family.
“There’s no such thing as ‘standard service,’” Gus says. “Luxury is doing the little things well without being asked. If that means a surprise route to protect a family vacation reveal, or a perfectly quiet ride so someone can reset, we make it happen. That’s the fun of this job. Making someone’s day better just by paying attention.”
In 2023, Gus moved Executive Transportation’s headquarters to Eden Prairie where he and his wife are raising their family. “When the opportunity came up to move into the Golden Triangle, it was an easy decision,” he says. “This community is full of people who work hard, invest in each other, and care about doing things the right way. That’s how I was raised, and it’s exactly how we run our business.”
The move allowed Executive to provide fleet services to local companies offering professional maintenance, white-glove repairs, and commercial vehicle care delivered by the same team that maintains their own luxury fleet.
“That’s been a surprise joy, helping fellow business owners keep their wheels turning. I love that part just as much as the driving.”
Gus coaches Eden Prairie youth hockey, Squirts and Termites, where ties and friendships are built rinkside. He supports local nonprofits including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and organizations celebrating military families. Executive Transportation partners with the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, supporting community events and local initiatives.
“I’m grateful for everything Executive has given me,” he says. “Not just the chance to build a business, but the chance to be useful. To support my neighbors. To help families create memories. That’s what Grandfather taught me: you don’t serve your community to be admired. You do it because you love it.” ExecutiveCarUSA.com