The Problem — 1.1 Billion trips per day, 78% of which are solo drivers with empty seats
In 2003 the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that Americans took 1.1 billion trips per day, which is 5 times more than the total number of Internet searches conducted each day (think about that the next time you do a Google search!). The U.S. Department of Transportation also reported that 78% of these were single occupant trips, which clog roadways resulting in the loss of over 16 million hours a day spent stuck in traffic at an annual cost to the economy of $80 billion. Driving is also extremely harmful to our environment, with motor vehicles accounting for roughly 50% of urban air pollution and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Simply put, current driving patterns in the U.S. are creating enormous individual, economic and environmental problems.
The Impact — Stress, poor health, less disposable income and reduced consumer spending
According to the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership many American households spend more on transportation than education, health care and food COMBINED! This is a sobering fact considering all of the focus on the skyrocketing cost of health care and education. As energy prices continue to rise the increased cost of driving further impacts spending, which means people tend to eat out less often, shop less often, go out less often and have higher stress levels, impacting their health and well-being.
The NuRide Mission — "The Best Way to Get Around on the Ground"
NuRide's mission is to become "the best way to get around on the ground". The "best way" is the one that benefits the individual, the economy and our environment in a balanced approach. The first step along this path is to begin tapping into the immense unused seat capacity that resides in the 1.1 billion car trips that take place every day by giving individuals the tools and incentives necessary to share rides and reduce the environmental and economic impact of driving alone. The savings realized from ridesharing, combined with rewards and incentives provided by participating sponsors, put more money into the pockets of consumers, which benefits the individual, sponsors and the overall economy.
The Company & Founders
NuRide is a private, for-profit Delaware C corporation that was founded in 2002 by four accomplished businessmen in the Washington DC region. The company is currently headquartered in Essex, CT with field operations in Houston TX.
Rick Steele — CEO and Co-Founder
Rick has over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and a proven
track record of success in building high-growth companies.
Prior to NuRide, Rick built kinkos.com, where he secured
financing and developed relationships with FedEx, America
Online and Kinko's—eventually selling the company to Kinko's,
Inc. where the business currently resides at www.fedexkinkos.com.
kinkos.com was a spin off of Meetinghouse Technologies,
an award-winning multimedia design and development company
Rick established in 1994.
Thomas Murray — Chairman and Founder
Chairman Thomas "Tam" Murray is founder and chief executive officer of privately held Community Wireless Structures (CWS). CWS develops tower structures in Northern and Central Virginia, specializing in innovative solutions in difficult zoning areas. CWS’s wireless service provider clients include Verizon, Sprint, Nextel & AT&T. Prior to founding CWS, Mr. Murray was a partner and top producer with Smithy Braedon leading their Northern Virginia office in leasing and selling office buildings.
Thomas Stroup — Director and Co-Founder
Director Thomas Stroup has over 20 years of experience in
the telecommunications and technology industries. Mr. Stroup
is currently CEO of SquareLoop, a location-based technology
services company. Mr. Stroup previously served as president
and CEO of P-Com Network Services Inc, an international telecommunications
services provider and Columbia Spectrum Management, a premier
wireless telecommunications consulting and negotiating firm.
Mr. Stroup also served as president of the Personal Communications
Industry Association. While there, he served as the industry
spokesperson in testimony before Congress, the Federal Communications
Commission and the media.
E. Scott Kasprowicz — Co-Founder
Mr. Kasprowicz recently served as Deputy Secretary of
Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of
Governor Tim Kaine’s administration. Prior to join the
Kaine administration, Mr. Kasprowicz was the founder and CEO
of TEXCEL Corporation, a technology services company with
clients worldwide that was sold to a nationwide infrastructure
provider in 1999. In 1988, Inc. magazine ranked TEXEL 95th
in the country’s top 500 fastest growing companies.
Mr. Kasprowicz currently serves on a number of boards, including
the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Land Trust of Virginia,
and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.
Board of Advisors
Rodney Slater
Rodney is currently head of Patton Boggs transportation practice group focusing on business, trade and transportation issues.
Prior to joining Patton Boggs, Rodney was US Secretary of
Transportation, serving under President Clinton from '97-'01,
during which time he was instrumental in the creation and
passage of the largest surface transportation bill ever passed,
TEA-21. Prior to becoming Secretary of Transportation, Rodney
was head of the Federal Highway Administration and he also
served as Chairman of the Arkansas State Highway Commission.
Anthony "Tony" Coelho
Tony was a five-term Congressman from California, serving
in numerous chairmanships and committees during his tenure,
including two terms as House Majority Whip. Tony currently
sits on the board of a number of highly successful companies
and he continues to be a strategic advisor for politicians
at the state and federal level, including having
served as Chairman of Al Gore's presidential campaign.
John Milliken
John is a partner in the transportation practice for the Venable
law firm, where he recently served as the Director of Transition
for Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner. John also served as
Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia
and he chaired the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation
Research Board. John currently sits on a number of boards,
including Virginia Port Authority, Arlington Chamber of Commerce,
Dulles Corridor Rail Association, Northern Virginia Conservation
Trust and Greater Washington Board of Trade.
Corinne Boone
Corinne is Managing Director of CantorCO2e, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Cantor Fitzgerald, and directs the company's North and
South American operations. CantorCO2e provides strategic consulting
services on developing corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) management
strategies, advises on portfolio management and facilitates
GHG market transactions. She participates on an expert consultative
committee to the Federal Government of Canada on issues associated
with the Kyoto Protocol. Corinne is Vice Chair of the Emissions
Marketing Association and also co-represents CantorCO2e on the
International Emission Trading Association.
Dan Sturges
Dan is founder and CEO of intrago, a local mobility solutions company. Prior to founding intrago, he co-founded Trans2, where
he designed and built the first Neighborhood Electric Vehicle,
or NEV. Trans2 and the NEV were eventually sold to GEM, a
DaimlerChrysler subsidiary. Dan has also worked with numerous
automotive companies, including GM, Ford and Fiat, and is
a highly sought-after industry spokesperson on the subject
of mobility. He was recognized as one of the top 40 automotive
designers in the US by ID Magazine, and has been featured
in The Wall Street Journal, Wired, Automobile and various other publications.
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