During the early 1980s and while still in high school, Mike Marino had the bright idea that visitors might enjoy touring the wine country in a limousine. At the time, “A lot of people thought I was crazy,” wrote Marino in an e-mail.

Twenty-three years later, California Wine Tours (which includes Evans Transportation) is the largest transportation company in Northern California. Marino’s fleet includes 175 vehicles in Sonoma and Napa. The business operates its own maintenance facility and employs 225 people.

Which three people would you most like to have dinner with?

Joseph Marino, my older brother who’s life was tragically cut short at age 16. I was the typical younger brother that idolized him.

Jimmy Buffett. The man is 62 and still rockin’ audiences around the world. He has got to be fun at dinner.

The late, great Chris Farley. He made me laugh every time he was on stage. The man had no boundaries.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

Try: I’d like to be a general contractor. I like the feeling of accomplishment when I complete a remodeling of a fixer-upper.

Not try: Hummus maker. My wife loves the stuff and I can’t stand to be within 10 feet of it.

What famous people has your service driven around?

Thousands of them. Most recently, we had Bruce Willis for four days when he was here for a film festival. One of our great customers is a local movie producer. We’ve pretty much driven every celebrity you can think of.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

We are facing it right now. This current economic slump would have to be it. Although this is not my first, it is a challenging one. The luxury transportation market is usually the first to get hit in a tight economy. Fortunately, I felt it coming early on and made necessary adjustments to keep my company strong.

What was your first job?

Auto mechanic. Although it was much-needed experience for my transportation company, I realized early on that I’d much rather be behind the wheel than under the hood.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about your business?

It’s only $29 to go the airport. We’re the lowest price in the nation as far as distance goes.

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to be a professional water skier. I spent years as a kid preparing for my Marine World audition. What was I thinking?

                                                 

Whom do you most admire in the business world?

Sam Walton. I met him over breakfast in 1985 in a small coffee shop in Gravette, Ark. He is the true meaning of down to earth.

Bill Gates. He started his company out of his garage. So did I. I know, you see the similarities too.

Richard Branson. He’s the Man.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?

I spent several years on the board of the then Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau and have seen the ups and downs over the past few years. It is great to finally see a united Napa with a focused strategy for tourism. Now we just need to execute it.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

A professional chauffeur — the unsung heroes of Napa Valley.

More from Michael D. Marino

What’s the worst job you ever had?

Training to be a butcher. We worked in a cold meat locker with 12 guys for eight hours and got in trouble if we spoke to each other.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

On the patio of room 1A at the Frangipani Beach Club in Anguilla, British West Indies.

 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

Fly my small plane coast to coast. Landing only for the greenest golf courses.

What’s your favorite gift to give?

Advice. Talking to our tourists and giving them the inside scoop of the wonderful things our valley has to offer.

I can’t live without ...

My wife Valerie and my 3-month-old daughter Lilli.

What is your favorite charity?

Anything supporting vineyard workers and/or children (such as) the Boys and Girls Club. I just donated a van to a local charity so they could help deliver food and provide transportation to those in desperate need.

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?

Local businesses should keep those company team building and client appreciation trips in the budget. Call us to book the transportation. How about an afternoon of wine tasting with an early dinner Upvalley for your office staff or your best customers? We need to “surround the wagons” and keep business within our community.

Each Wednesday, the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled. To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com