Reston Limousine CEO Honored For Philanthropy

DULLES, VA — Kristina Bouweiri, president and CEO of Reston Limousine and Travel Service Inc., the metro area's largest luxury transportation company and among the country's top 10 shuttle bus firms, was honored this month as a finalist in the Washington Business Journal's Philanthropy Awards.

The Journal's 12th annual event honored business leaders for their philanthropic efforts in the areas of community impact, education, and leadership. Noted at the awards event as particularly important during recent economic conditions, the honorees' work to support and invest in the communities where they live and work is particularly important. With charitable good works continuing strong, major Washington area corporations and smaller companies were in the running for recognition, yielding encouraging stories of corporate giants, medium and small companies helping the community.

Founded in 1990, the $14.8 million Reston Limousine has a legacy of community outreach, providing services and support to many charitable and not-for-profit organizations. Its primary focus is in the areas of disadvantaged children causes, health care, and education, but the company's generosity extends to community groups and arts organizations. Last year Reston Limousine donated $310,000 in services and cash to worthy causes in the metropolitan area. Since its inception, the company has donated more than $1 million in cash and gifts-in-kind.

Bouweiri says that while charitable contributions are morale builders within an organization and may lead to future business, the most important aspect of donating services to charity is that "it's the right thing to do."

Reston Limousine compensates its staff for their work when the company donates services to charity, and the good will atmosphere generated by these deeds is a motivational employee benefit. Reston Limousine also allows staff to take time off for volunteer service.

Sources: Washington Business Journal/Reston Limousine