The 2008 Rose Parade

In the spirit of the theme, Passport to the World’s Celebrations, the 119th Rose Parade was led by Grand Marshal Emeril Laggasse on Tuesday, January 1, 2008. The festivities kicked off at 8:00 a.m. with an explosive opening show featuring dancers and flags from around the world and culminated, for the first time, with a flyover by Navy F18 hornets. Outwalkers representing various countries and cultures entertained crowds as the floats transformed before people’s eyes. The international array of bands and equestrians amused the viewers with their display of talent and dedication. As a whole, the Rose Parade featured magnificent floral floats, high-stepping equestrians and spirited marching bands, displaying the tradition and pageantry for which it is renowned.
The parade started off at the intersection of Colorado Blvd. and Orange Grove Blvd., right next to Rusnak/Pasadena and also passed by Rusnak Volvo (see picture above). What a glorious Southern California morning!
Happy New Year!

The Rusnak Summit

As an experienced attorney, Victoria Pearson is no stranger to high stakes meetings or speaking in front of large groups of people. But on the evening of January 10th, 2008, as she took the stage at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, it was more personal and more important than ever before. The daughter of Paul Rusnak, a local legend in the automotive industry, Victoria has stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer of the family-owned Rusnak Auto Group. And on Thursday January 10th, 2008, in front of an audience of 720 associates, she unveiled her vision for the future. Coined “The Rusnak Summit,” this first-ever meeting of every Rusnak employees is the culmination of 18 months of strategic planning, aggressive recruitment and ultimately, looking within. “I did not want to come into the company and start changing things for the sake of change,” said Pearson. “On the contrary, my process has been to look within to unlock the secrets that have made us so successful for more than 40 years. ”The Rusnak Summit itself comes at a critical time for the auto group. Publicly held companies are using their buying power and deep pockets to push the small players out of the market. And the threat of an economic downturn looms large over the entire industry. But Pearson is confident that Rusnak will continue to prosper. “We’ll use our size to our advantage,” stated Pearson. “We can be more nimble and react far more quickly than the corporate giants. And we can empower our employees to better serve our customers by clearly defining our parameters for success.” At the center of Pearson’s strategic plan is a six-point promise from Rusnak Auto Group to its employees and to its customers. Dubbed “The Rusnak Standard,” this promise covers the six major areas of operations – employee training and support; customer service; technology; community involvement; profitability; and ethics.

Congressman David Drier

The Rusnak Standard, which will be unveiled on Thursday evening, will serve as a beacon to focus all efforts moving forward from operations to marketing. “With a clearly defined set of standards, the entire company can move forward independently and collectively toward a common goal,” said Pearson. “Of course, as my father says, these things are not new. This is the first time they were ever written down.”About Rusnak – The award-winning privately held Rusnak Auto Group, which consists of 12 locations throughout Southern California and showcases 9 vehicle brands including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Volvo, has been the area’s preeminent automotive group for over 41 years. For additional information, visit online at www.rusnakautogroup.com.

Distinguished Speaker Series

On Wednesday, January 23rd, Distinguished Speakers Series of Southern California presented Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. The Duchess of York has established herself as a businesswoman and global humanitarian dedicating herself to children’s charities and global campaigns for family wellness. She talked candidly about her life and how she coped with the most challenging times - the deep rooted effect of her childhood, her sudden catapult onto the international public stage, the brief honeymoon period with the media before the personal sabotage and ensuing years of vilification by the press, the tragic death of loved ones, and the re-building of her U.S. charity after its World Trade Center offices were destroyed. Along with children’s books, the Duchess published two candid best-sellers, My Story and What I Know Now. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz invited 100 VIP guests to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for a meet and greet with Sarah Ferguson. Guests enjoyed the evening by meeting the Duchess of York with cocktails, high tea, and canapés. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz has been a proud sponsor of the Distinguished Speakers Series for the past 8 years. To purchase your season tickets, please visit them online at www.speakersla.com or call Kathy Winterhalder at (310) 546-6222.

The All-New 2009 Jaguar XF Launch

Leslie Ortega greets guests

On Tuesday, January 22nd, Rusnak Jaguar presented the 2009 Jaguar XF. The totally new four-door sedan, goes on sale in North America in Spring 2008. The XF signals a new design and engineering direction Jaguar will be taking in the coming years, the company says. Jaguar designed the XF to exude the visual excitement of a coupe in a four-door sedan with room for five adults. The interior is designed to look contemporary but uniquely Jaguar with luxurious materials, sophisticated instruments and calm mood lighting. Surprise-and-delight features include a start button that pulses red like a heartbeat when getting into the car and air conditioning vents that close for a flush appearance when getting out. Premium audio, voice-activated controls, a blind spot monitor, front and rear parking aids, a rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control are available. The six-speed automatic transmission features shift-by-wire control with a sequential-shift system designed for rapid and smooth shifting. Drivers can select gears manually via paddles on the steering wheel and can switch from Park to Reverse to Drive and other shift modes via a rotary knob. This system, called Jaguar Drive Control, allows selection of Dynamic and winter modes that match shift strategies, throttle progression and Dynamic Stability Control settings to mood and conditions. Go to Rusnak Jaguar Pasadena to test drive the new 2009 Jaguar XF.

Liz Rusnak Arizmendi and   Paul Rusnak	Frockx model with Pomeranian   “Brad Pitt”

Rusnak Jaguar invited 300 VIP guests to the preview of the all-new 2009 Jaguar XF at Rusnak Jaguar located in Pasadena, California. The guests were treated to an informal modeling show, created by Frockx Boutique featuring Leona Edmiston Couture Fashions. The label celebrates the confident, urban woman. It exudes classic femininity, effortless style and chic, sexy sophistication.

A Leona Edmiston frock is elegant, versatile and ageless. The ranges include delectable and dainty shapes with a clever combination of whimsical detail and flattering proportions that are utterly wearable. Leona uses a variety of fabrics from sleek jersey to soft luxurious silks. Prints are a favorite, featuring dainty vintage landscapes, classic tweeds to exuberant swirls, delicious florals and uncomplicated color blocks. The fabrics compliment the style and flattering cuts of Leona's dresses, they allow for confidence during the day and sheer elegance during the evening, taking you from the “office to opera” with ease. It was a sparkling atmosphere with jewelry from L.B. Valentine and Borrowed Bling, which paired arresting imagery with captivating text to create personal jewelry celebrating everyday and everyone.

Other Rusnak partners included: Bang & Olufsen, Edwards-Lowell Furs of Beverly Hills, Place Vendome, Hermes, and Lopuck Watercolor. Attendees were able to dine on scrumptious hors d'oeuvres provided by JJ Steak House and desserts from Asha Frozen Delights. Cappuccinos were provided by The Cappuccino Connection and were sipped throughout the showroom while orchids and candlelight illuminated the affair.

Thank You Rusnak Auto Group!

My involvement in “Holidays from the Heart” at Childrens Hospital started when I was asked by Elizabeth Rusnak Arizmendi, VP Public Relations from the Rusnak Auto Group and Rusnak Jaguar to volunteer at a fundraising event that would benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles and be held at Frockx Boutique in La Canada. I helped with set-up, tickets for opportunity drawings, and assisted with guest relations. There were 100 VIP guests invited to this Private Viewing and Debut of Jewelry Designers. The viewing included a Silent Auction and Opportunity Drawings benefiting Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Holidays from the Heart campaign with special guest, pediatric surgeon Dr. James E. Stein. Ms. Elizabeth Rusnak Arizmendi helped me understand why this event was so very important to CHLA and that 10% of all sales went directly to the hospital to help families enjoy the Christmas holiday.
I decided to contact CHLA and spoke with Ms. Rosalind Grushkin, Social Worker and the coordinator of Holidays from the Heart. After that I submitted my paperwork to Deanne Aranda at the Girl Scout - Mt. Wilson Vista Council in order to gain approval to pursue a leadership role that would in turn earn me the Senior Girl Scout Gold Award. I was approved to begin my leadership role which would include a lot of work planning, managing, and organizing a specific program focus. As well, as soliciting volunteers, shopping, and working with the Junior Girl Scouts at their Santa's workshop in order to get new unwrapped toys to the children in the hospital, along with their brothers and sisters in time for Christmas. My focus was to be give gifts to the siblings of those children who had a brother or sister in the hospital at the holiday and might be home with a caretaker.
I have now completed by 65 plus hours of work on this program and plan to volunteer again in 2008 hopefully mentoring another Girl Scout that can take continue what I have begun.
Thank you Rusnak Auto Group!

Nicole Morrison, Girl Scout Troop 185

From The Rusnak Mailbox

Numerous letters of gratitude were received this month. Here are just a few we would like to share with you.

We start off this month’s mail with a wonderful customer letter to the Public Relations Department:

Dear Mr. Rusnak,

Thank you so much to Rusnak Mercedes-Benz for inviting me to meet Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York on Wednesday evening January 22. My sister-in-law Ingrid is a huge fan of The Royals and so, I invited her to come along - keeping the guest of honor as a surprise for her. What transpired that evening was beyond our wildest dreams! Not only was Ingrid thoroughly excited to meet Fergie at the VIP reception, she and Fergie seemed to form a connection. I believe it was their mutual work with children. Not only did Fergie remember Ingrid by name during her short speech to our group that evening, but at the end of the main speaking event, in front of a 2,500+ audience, Fergie invited Ingrid to come up on stage to receive a signed copy of “Little Red,” her children's book benefiting American children in need. Ingrid and I screamed like kids! Ingrid ran up to the stage with me and the camera in tow. My sister-in-law and I bonded that night; what a memory we will both share forever!

Thank you again Rusnak Mercedes-Benz!
Lisa Lopuck
Glendale

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