President George W. Bush’s visits to Crawford, Texas have created an economic boomlet for businesses in nearby Waco.  White House aides and reporters have come to rely on the service industry to make them feel welcome as they are literally home on the range.

Consistently going the extra mile is Bryan Boaz, a 21 year old major in entrepreneurship at Baylor University.  Bryan is arguably the most frequently cited example of the welcoming spirit visitors find in Waco.  He started with the Enterprise Rent-a-Car agency as an intern, but his attention to detail got him promoted quickly to the title of Corporate Accounts Manager because of his work with the White House travel office.

Because of Bryan’s efforts, his company went from renting four vehicles during the President’s first two visits to the ranch to between 50 and 60 every time he returns to his ranch.  How did this happen?  There have been times when Bryan would work all night to get enough cars ready for his visitors.  Reporters and Bush aides getting off the plane outside Waco find their rental cars waiting on the tarmac, trunks open, paperwork already completed.  If it’s after dark, the lights are already turned on. 

Can’t figure out how to close the sunroof on your sport utility vehicle?  Call Bryan.  Or just stand by, because chances are that the next call on your cell phone will be from Bryan, checking to see if you are 100 percent, completely satisfied with your car.  If it’s midnight and you don’t like your car, call Bryan. He’ll bring you a new one immediately.  A reporter for the Los Angeles Times recalls getting a call on his cell phone in his SUV during one late winter trip to Waco. “Hi, it’s Bryan,” came the voice on the other end. “How do you like that seat warmer?”  The reporter didn’t even know he had a seat warmer or how to turn it on, so Bryan instructed him where to find the switch.

One USA Today reporter recalls asking him to procure a “fun car,” and sure enough he got her a Mustang convertible.  Now the reporter doesn’t even have to ask.  He’ll just call her and say, “I got you something really fun.” 

Another reporter made what he thought was a tongue-in-cheek request that Bryan find him the kind of outsized pick-up truck favored by Texans.  When he arrived in Waco, he was surprised to learn that Bryan traveled 100 miles south to Austin to snag a four door pick-up truck just as the man wanted. 

Bryan’s approach toward servicing his customers?  “I just think about how I would like to be treated when I am a thousand miles away from home, and I do that.”  Is it any wonder that this 21 year old phenom has such a loyal following from some of Washington’s most influential citizens?

Portions are excerpted from Bloomberg News

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