FreedomCar’s 35th Anniversary

I grew up in neighborhoods and went to schools that were diverse, with kids from all different backgrounds. The importance of inclusion has always been an idea that I keep close to the heart. The belief that “Everyone Is Welcome” is a powerful one; it’s central to everything that I stand for and one that I’ve stressed to my children from the very beginning.

An important moment that changed my life was when I sold my first photograph. I don’t even remember which photo it was or the price that it sold for. I do remember practically glowing, knowing that someone was willing to part with their cash to buy my art. Knowing that my photo would be hanging on someone’s wall meant something. The art that you choose becomes a part of your daily life. Creating that art always feels like an incredible honor.

“Moving Forward Together” feels less like a tagline and more like a promise. In the three short years that I’ve been at FreedomCar, I’ve seen plenty of changes—some big in nature and others more of the tweak variety. Being a part of a company that is committed to constantly evolving, constantly trying to push the boundaries of efficiency, and is willing to take risks is something special.

I had the pleasure of driving a group of women in one of our FreedomCar 15-passenger hi-top vans from Baltimore to the DC Women’s March on January 17, 2017, then back to Baltimore later in the day. These young ladies all were older; I’d say easily in their 70s and 80s… and some with physical mobility issues. Didn’t stop them. Young at heart and full of passion, they marched. Very moving to witness it all. It was a reminder to me to be forever grateful to know that I live in a country where we have the freedom to celebrate a cause in public.

My first boss out of college suggested to me, as best as possible, to keep my personal life separate from my work life and to stay away from the gossip mill around “the water cooler.” Wise man!

Embrace our similarities as individuals, and celebrate our differences as people.

Just recently, I drove an elderly man to Princeton University in New Jersey for a memorial service. Before we left his driveway, he asked his wife—who was not joining us—for his Navy hat to replace his Princeton hat with the “P” emblem. My job is not only to drive and drop off, but also to escort if needed. As we walked, at a snail’s pace, through the rest stop, multiple people looked at this man and thanked him for his service—a genuine “thank you.” This man was an Admiral in the Navy for 35 years.

In this country, one has the opportunity to take a passion or a skill and create wealth. In 1994, I moved to Maryland to open my own business based on the passion and skills I had practiced. I also have the brainpower to understand when to look elsewhere if the wealth begins to diminish. I changed direction in 2024 and started to use my skills for other people, whose passion—and this country—gave them the opportunity to create a wonderful business: FreedomCar.

At FreedomCar, there is a meeting held once a month. The owners share their thoughts regarding the successes and struggles of the business. These meetings create a sense of teamwork. “Moving Forward Together” is probably the reason for the meetings and for the way FreedomCar continues to deliver its great services.

I had double bypass surgery on 08/27/2025. It changed my life. It made me realize what is important and what is not. I thought I would never return to FreedomCar. I am so glad to be back.

My maternal grandfather, Morris Damsky, was called to duty like many of his Greatest Generation peers, to fight for freedom in World War II. He left behind his bride and his infant daughter, my mother, for about a year and a half. Morris suffered two injuries, earning himself two Purple Hearts as well as a Bronze Star medal while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He never really talked about his experiences during this tumultuous time. I am very proud of his sacrifice and grateful for his small part in securing freedom for the United States, as well as for other countries and people around the globe.

After graduating college way back in 1993, my friend and I backpacked throughout Europe. When my friend (not me) was almost arrested in Prague for having his feet up on a seat, it became clear that we were no longer in the USA. Up until that point, I did not have much in the way of national pride. Since that moment, I have been so very thankful to live here and to do my part in keeping America the greatest country on Earth.

Now that I have college-aged kids and am an empty nester, I do wonder about my future, starting with potential grandkids. Just as I have found it important to know all I can about my grandparents and great-grandparents, as it adds context to my own story, that is what I am passing on to my kids. I have always felt that history predicts the future, and in this climate in which we find ourselves, it is critical for my bride and me to continue teaching our kids—and future generations—the true greatness of this country, without allowing facts to be twisted by revisionist history. I want to be remembered as a thoughtful, intelligent father and husband who taught his kids to think critically and not just accept things as facts without doing their due diligence. And that includes grammar and spelling, of course.

In my opinion, there is no other way to move but forward—and to move together. In my lifetime, I never felt that our collective American values and systems would ever come under attack, especially from within, but now I know that nothing is guaranteed. I find myself very lucky to work at FreedomCar because the Statement of Values (found on our website) mirrors the very best of America, and that is a badge of honor that I wear with an abundance of pride.

Transportation is in my blood. My father, and his father before him, spent their professional lives providing passenger transportation. I have been in this field for many years, perhaps for that very reason—it’s in my blood. I also enjoy solving problems, and as the Operations Manager, that is what I do on a daily basis to ensure everyone gets to where they need to go on time. It certainly doesn’t hurt that I love what I do, and to be honest, it’s almost like playing a game every time I am working. Shhhhh… don’t tell the bosses.

September 11, 2001, was a significant moment, but my most recent impactful experience was when Hurricane Melissa destroyed the island of my birth, Jamaica. The FreedomCar team came together with donations, and I traveled to Jamaica to assist three families in starting the rebuilding process for their homes.

I went to an all-girls Catholic high school. By faith, I am a Seventh-day Adventist. Upon entering high school, I had to attend First Friday Mass. I asked my mother if I could be excused from attending because I am of a different faith. Her response was, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Those words have guided the way I cope with different people, cultures, and places I visit, which I love doing. I also teach my children this same phrase, meaning that if you choose to enter a space, it may not be your comfort zone, but be mindful that you chose to be there and adapt accordingly.

When I had my daughter and son, life and perspective changed in many ways. Patience and purpose became a must, but keeping my house spotless was no longer a priority.

I grew up seeing both of my parents holding down two jobs to feed their family, and their hard work paid off. I want future generations to know that nothing comes easy. With hard work and dedication, you will reap the fruits of your labor.

“Moving Forward Together” means we should all share the same goal, focus on the positive, and take steps to achieve it together. Share the work, and remember to share the results.

Wow! Let me first thank Mark and Robyne for giving me the opportunity almost 14 years ago to be the best version of myself. They have allowed me to be me (most of the time, lol). As an immigrant from Jamaica, I have seen many “faces” at FreedomCar, and Mark and Robyne have shown me in many ways how to manage and grow with the many “Romans” I encounter. They put employees and customers first, and I saw that firsthand during the pandemic. The FreedomCar journey continues, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.

I hope that future generations look back and see how I embraced inclusivity, kindness, and respect for all.

Moving forward, simply put, is progress. Progress is hard to see in this country right now, but I hope that in the next few years, Americans will move forward together.

FreedomCar’s diverse staff is a microcosm of America. My colleagues, of various ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, genders, and sexual orientations, all working toward one goal, make for an enjoyable daily experience—one where inclusivity, kindness, and respect for all are embraced.

The way we all came together after 9/11—hopefully, we can find a way to come together again.

When I was young, my grandfather told me never to judge a man by the work he does, whether you clean outhouses or are the CEO of a company. As long as you do an honest day’s work, whatever you do, be proud and do it to the best of your ability. This lifelong lesson has followed me throughout my life.

That I was a good person and that I loved my family.

A moment that will forever remain with me is 9/11. The spirit of sacrifice shown by first responders, knowing they were going into a place from which they might not come out, and the spirit of helping one another that followed—it all represents what America is truly about.

Each quarter, every individual in the company enjoys a few minutes with Mark. I always remind Mark that my goal and the company’s goal are the same—success. As the company celebrates 35 years of life, I hope the next 35 will be as exciting as the last. As a proud American citizen, I appreciate the values this country represents and hope that we find a path to unite and celebrate its 500th birthday.

In America, friends and family call Robert Bob, Richard Dick, Michael Mike, etc. Long names become short. In the country I grew up in, life is a bit more complicated. Born as Zvi, friends and family called me Tzvika. Twenty-one months ago, I was fortunate to find new friends—the faces that make up FreedomCar. In these 21 months, I have also bonded with many of our clients, gaining knowledge in the respective areas of their expertise, and some became my friends as well. When asked, “How do you like your job?” my standard answer is: “I don’t have one. This is my mobile living room.” So now that we are friends, feel free to call me Tzvika (just don’t break your tongue pronouncing it).

I witnessed the American spirit through my father, who served in the United States Air Force. He often spoke about the pride he felt representing something bigger than himself and the responsibility that came with wearing the uniform. Even after his service ended, that same commitment to hard work, integrity, and helping others never left him. Watching him carry those values into everyday life showed me that service to your country doesn’t stop when you leave the military. That example of quiet dedication and pride in contributing to something greater is something that has always stayed with me.

The moment I became a grandfather for the first time shifted my perspective in a way I never expected. Holding my grandchild made me realize how quickly life moves and how easy it is to spend years focused on what’s next instead of what’s right in front of you. In that moment, I understood the importance of slowing down and truly being present. It changed the way I approach my time with family and the small, everyday moments that once felt routine. Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to live more in the moment and appreciate how quickly life passes.

To me, “moving forward together” means putting people first and recognizing that we share far more in common than what separates us. Progress happens when we take the time to listen to one another and look for shared goals instead of focusing on our differences. As our country continues to grow, unity comes from understanding, respect, and a willingness to work side by side. Celebrating milestones like 35 years and approaching America’s 250th birthday is a reminder that our greatest achievements have always come through collaboration. When we lead with empathy and focus on what connects us, we create a stronger path forward for everyone.