Robert Brantner

Beaumont, TX (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

Exec Connect, Inc.

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Location: Beaumont
Industry: Transportation
Year Founded: 2007
Number Employees: 10-50 people
Business Stage: Creation/Idea
Entity Type: "C" Corporation
Description: Exec Connect, Inc. A Texas Corporation Executive Summary Exec Connect, Inc. Market factors favor inauguration of a new and innovative airline to meet the demand for additional and a Non-Existent executive service, more commonly known as a 1st class service, linking the Southeast Texas Region to major business centers such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Shreveport, and Lafayette. Exec Connect, Inc. believes we can fill the current void of a Non-Existent Executive or First Class niche. Additionally, the advent of Hurricane Rita has brought Southeast Texas an opportunity for growth. Due to tax incentives for business growth, executive travel into and out of the area has, and will continue it's growth. This new airline, Exec Connect, will base its business and marketing strategies targeting an executive niche that is currently Non-existent in the area and market aggressively through absorbing unmet demands in three key air-traffic categories: un-served and under-served executive routes on which high unmet demands currently exist or can be readily developed; serving key executive niche markets where demand is either unmet or poorly served; and meeting peak traffic demands on certain key regional, seasonal, and variable routes where high load factors can be predicted despite existing but lower quality competition, or where competition cannot meet the executive needs or demand. In addition, Exec Connect will be designed around, and operated utilizing, the most up-to-date electronic, informational, and aviation technologies to ensure low operating and marketing costs, maximum efficiency in development of its resources, and a high level of customer service and convenience. And it is this final element-dedicating the airline, its staff, and its organization to providing the highest level of customer service and convenience, and efficiently meeting the needs, wants, comfort, and safety of the executive and business traveler- that will assure the rapid acceptance in the marketplace and its long-term growth and success of Exec Connect, Inc.. There was a statement made after 9/11/01 referring to the airline industry: It was stated: Those carriers which can maintain a "Mean-and-Lean" operation while still meeting the needs and desires of the public, with the right fares, will not only survive, but can prosper. We have observed just that the last 7 years. There has been no First Class seating available, customer service is non-existent, though the customer is paying higher ticket prices, all amenities have been cut or the customer has to pay extra for the amenities, additionally, with the advent of the regional jets in the commuter services customers are being wrenched into a 28" seat with no leg room, having to cope with a 2-6 hour delay at over crowded HUB's, and to be honest, with these so called cost cutting measures, "The executive is very discouraged to say the least". The unique segment of this whole concept is: The executive is willing and able to pay a higher price for what they know to be good Customer Service. The problem is the current air carriers do not have the expertise or the ability to provide an air service that will support executives or any other passenger with an air service that is based on the needs and desires of the passenger. The current air carriers base their success on volume and not quality. The six key characteristics leading to the success and profitability of Exec Connect, Inc., "The Better Way to Get Away", are: Provision of high-quality executive service on routes and in markets that currently are either under served, poorly served, or under-subscribed by existing carriers, thereby setting both a new trend and a new pace in air service to and within the Texas Region. Employment of cost-effective, up-to-date aircraft that will be sized appropriately for the market and the route, leading to higher load factors, reduced costs, improved efficiency and flexibility, greater passenger comfort and satisfaction, and higher net profits. Outfitting the aircraft with the latest aviation technologies and navigational equipment will help ensure the highest levels of reliability, punctuality and safety while configuring the aircraft seating in an executive cabin will ensure customer satisfaction. Utilization of the latest electronic and informational technologies in sales and marketing; reservation, ticketing and check-in; scheduling and resource planning; cargo tracking; and operational oversight. Such techniques as internet marketing, reservations, and sales; electronic ticketing and check-in; on line quality control, resource planning, operational oversight, cargo and baggage tracking, and customer service, all will reduce staffing requirements while offering ease-of-use and greatly enhanced access by, and convenience to, the customer. Recognition that not everyone is geared for the electronic world, leading Exec Connect to provide the highest level of non-electronic service as well, particularly to the many newer, less-experienced executive travelers-but future loyal customers-and in the region. Ensuring every Exec Connect employee demonstrates to the customer a friendly, cooperative, enjoyable, yet professional face. Development and implementation of co-operative operations, associations, and partnerships with other larger, more established, and highly regarded airlines both within and beyond the region to provide extensive range of connections, through fares, and other passenger and client advantages through interline arrangements, code shares, and so forth. In short, the goal of Exec Connect, Inc. is to be known to the executive as "Their Airline" due to its motto: "You’re The Boss, Let Us Treat You Like It!" Primary financial results anticipated during the first year of operations include: Average passenger load factors in the 90 percent range reached the first year of operations, and increasing thereafter to maintain above 90 percent load factor. Revenues approaching 10 million the first 12 months and exceeding 15 million the by the end of the first 18 months of operation. A net operating margin targeting 30 percent within the first year of operations, reaching close to 43% percent by the end of the fifth year, and with steady growth enabling rational expansion of Exec Connect, Inc. thereafter. Even after the first year of operations a pre-tax profit range of 4 to 5 million is anticipated. A target Net Profit of in access of $250,000,000 by the end of the fifth year. A key element contributing to the success of Exec Connect, Inc. will be its organizational and Management Team. Together with their associations throughout the Texas Region, their understanding of customer service, and regional connections, profitable opportunities can be implemented and partnerships developed for growth and profit potential. As part of the Management team, aviation and marketing experts with successful track records, including extensive experience organizing and managing aviation resources, assets, and operations. This Management Team, which is described in greater detail in the section of the business plan dealing with the Management Team, will help reduce risk and ensure the success of Exec Connect, Inc. Highlights Market Analysis Summary Exec Connect markets can be categorized into 4 primary markets: A. Business/Professional Group B. Petroleum Industry Group/ General Aviation Group C. Entertainment D. Airline Dissatisfied Group The Business and Professional Group will be targeted in our marketing and advertising strategies. This group has a great deal to gain by traveling by air regionally, and do to their status in their respectful communities are normally looked upon as leaders and have been successful in their businesses. To this group basically, "Time is Money". To experience the frustrations of over crowded Regional Airlines and to waste many hours of unproductive time, this group, by far, will be the customers Exec Connect can satisfy most. The Business and Professional Group currently has no alternative when traveling in a regional distance but to travel in an environment that is far below their standards or by renting, leasing or purchasing their own aircraft. Exec Connect will be the only fairly priced 1st Class or executive service available in the majority of the areas we will target. The Petroleum Industry 90% of the time has to rent their own aircraft due to delays and their personnel having to transport tools and equipment through major airline HUB's. Exec Connect, Inc. is anticipating this group to be larger than anticipated. The "ruggedness" of the aircraft Exec Connect will be utilizing will be very attractive to this group not to mention the price. Exec Connect has combined the Petroleum and the General Aviation Group as one segment primarily because the Petroleum Industry is so large in Texas and they usually rent or purchase their own aircraft. There are businesses that own their own aircraft simply to save time and to fly into Non-Major HUB's. With Exec Connect, we will be able to fly into less busy airports at prices that will make the aircraft owners consider why they are paying millions for their own aircraft. The Entertainment Group will be a small fraction of our customers but has the potential to grow rapidly as the post hurricane Katrina environment improves. Many "Baby Boomers" are experiencing "Expendable Income". Many would like to travel in a 1st Class environment at a reasonable cost. Exec Connect, Inc. can fill that niche in every sense especially during our growth to add routes to Lafayette, LA. from the Houston and Dallas metro area's. Contacts have been made with organizations such as AARP for advertising purposes. Planned "Day Travel Packages" are currently being designed to capture the sporting enthusiasts desiring to get away for the day to see sporting events such as the Dallas Cowboys, the Houston Texans and the New Orleans Saints. These packages may become very popular. Additionally, these events are not included in the sales forecasts. These flights will be scheduled on an intermittent basis and scheduled on days Exec Connect, Inc.'s scheduled service is not in operation. Exec Connect, Inc.'s scheduled service is will be in operation Monday through Friday so the week-ends will be reserved for maintenance duties and special package flights for the Entertainment Group. The most unpredictable market segment will be the "Dissatisfied Airline Customer" who wants fly with any airline other than the airline just experienced. This market has the potential to be bigger than the Business and Professional Group. I say that because after the survey completions Exec Connect has determined that over 50% of Regional Air Travelers are dissatisfied with the service for one reason or the other. When these specific people experience Exec Connect, Inc. flights, I truly believe the regional airline has lost that customer for ever and Exec Connect, Inc. will benefit. Upon start-up, the only way to determine this category will be through inquiries made by Exec Connect personnel to the air traveler. Business Plan with financials available on request. CEO Rob Brantner is willing to negotiate favorable investor terms in getting this project "Off The Ground".