| As a young boy, Ken Beam wowed his paper route customers as the only child in his Maryland neighborhood to go above and beyond his customers' delivery expectations. Instead of just tossing the newspapers from his bike, Beam would hand deliver each paper, engaging in conversation and spending extra time cheering up the elderly along his route. Beam wasn't looking for extra tips, his care was genuine. However, his commitment to be the best delivery boy in town quickly reaped customer rewards. |
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| In 1994, Beam used his childhood philosophy as the foundation behind the launching of Pegasus TransAir, Inc. As an international freight forwarder specializing in air, ground, ocean and 3rd party logistic services, Beam's mission was to offer customized customer solutions and recruit employees that shared his passion for phenomenal customer service. |
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| On June 17, 2000, Beam's excellence was recognized as he was awarded the Ernst & Young Southwest Entrepreneur of the Year award in the emerging companies category. |
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| "Although it was my name on the award," cites Beam. "I truly believe that it's the dedication of our employees and the satisfaction and loyalty from our customers that's behind this tremendous honor." |
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| With customers, employees and family in attendance, Beam accepted his Entrepreneur of the Year award by asking the crowd to focus their applause not on himself, but rather on those that accompanied him. |
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| As a regional winner, Beam will now compete against other regions to become a finalist for the elite title of Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year to be announced this November in Palm Springs. |
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| "If you treat your employees for what they are, your most precious resource, and anticipate your customers needs before they occur, the rewards will follow," adds Beam. |
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| With aggressive expansion and hiring plans scheduled, a mission to continue to integrate technology into customer services and an 85% growth projected for 2000, the future of Pegasus TransAir does indeed look bright. From a porch in Maryland, to Entrepreneur of the Year, suffice it to say, the paper boy delivered. |
