the 2nd annual

VANGUARD

awards

SPONSORED by

CHRIS RAMOS

Chris Ramos launched The Night Move, a bio-diesel-powered shuttle service driven to provide both a much-needed transportation solution, and help Metro Detroit turn over a new "green" leaf. As a local entrepreneur and innovator, Mr. Ramos started the company in October of 2008. In less than two years, Mr. Ramos has built up a growing loyal following in support of the convenience and green initiatives his company has to offer. Serving primarily Royal Oak, Ferndale and Detroit with an express shuttle service, and all of Southeast Michigan with a private rental and limousine service, The Night Move grants customers new access to the city and suburbs. Through the company's weekly e-newsletter, on-bus and on-ticket advertising for local establishments, and discounts offered to employees of local partner businesses, Mr. Ramos has been working to help expand passengers' social environments within the region. The Night Move's suburbanite customers now frequent Detroit restaurants and bars they once thought were inaccessible, and downtown customers now have new, convenient access to the establishments of Royal Oak and Ferndale. His drivers also supply free People Mover tokens to customers, making establishments throughout downtown Detroit more available to them. Mr. Ramos is using his service as a means for building both a sense of community between the city and suburbs, and commerce for the establishments in range of his route. It is part of Mr. Ramos' mission for his company to promote sustainable choices and help Metro Detroit "live greener."

Along with running his vehicles on B20 bio-diesel supplied by Detroit's own Clean Emission Fluids, Mr. Ramos runs a dedicated recycling program in all of his vehicles and facilities, and takes responsibility for the emissions the company can't avoid by partnering with CarbonFund.org, to aggressively offset its carbon footprint and support the research and development of renewable energy. Mr. Ramos will also be donating one tree for each hour of service The Night Move provides in 2010 (for a minimum of 1,000 trees), through an agreement with American Forests. One of the only local transportation providers offering green service, The Night Move offers an affordable, safe, convenient and environmentally sustainable alternative to driving under the influence and the hassles of parking in downtown areas. Mr. Ramos saw a public need and devised a plan to solve it. In an area with very limited public transportation, Mr. Ramos created The Night Move to fill the current transit void. With plans for new vehicles and service offerings beginning to come to fruition, Mr. Ramos and his business continue to add convenience, safety, and positive influence to the cities they serve.

Detroit Young Professionals (DYP) is bringing together movers and shakers from across Southeast Michigan to honor 10 remarkable innovators and changemakers at our 2nd Annual Vanguard Awards. This event was established to recognize and celebrate outstanding Detroiters who have distinguished themselves through professional leadership and service to our community.

Hosted by Local 4 News Anchor Rhonda Walker, the 2nd Annual Vanguard Awards will take place on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at Amnesia, perched high above downtown Detroit on the 16th floor of MotorCity Casino Hotel. Attendees will enjoy a special networking reception, awards presentation and after party with a complimentary hors d'oeuvres and music by DJ SloPoke.

Tickets for the 2nd Annual Vanguard Awards are only $25 and can be purchased online at http://www.detroityoungprofessionals.org/vanguardsy. For more information, please email vanguards@detroityoungprofessionals.org.