Mission
The mission of our company is to make it easier for members of the community to regularly visit their loved ones who are incarcerated and empower these loved ones to become contributing members of society once they have served their time.
This mission is perfectly relevant, especially now as more and more conclusive research on inmate-behavior proves that inmate’s who maintain contact with family members through visits and phone privileges are less likely to violate their parole or commit new offenses.
Michael Wren, Founder and CEO
Family and Friends VIP Shuttle Services was founded by Michael Wren who was incarcerated as a young African-American in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) unit over twenty-one years ago. During his time inside, Mr. Wren learned first-hand just how important it was to keep in contact with his family and friends.
"God and the visitation of my Mother kept me believing that life was not over and that someday I would leave the walls of solitary-confinement and return to the free world." - Michael Wren
Mr. Wren often relates stories of how other inmates were excited with upcoming visits from family. He also recalls instances where a visit from family members had a powerful calming effect but also an adverse negative effect when visits were irregular and infrequent.
Mr. Wren is also a partner of Angel Wings Transportation LLC, Angel Wings Transportation LLC provides shuttle service to families of incarcerated love ones in Maryland,Virginia,Pennsylvania and West Virginia. For routes, prices and reservations visit www.angelwingstransportation.com.
Lamar Elder, Chief Operating Officer
Lamar Elder has 14 years of law enforcement experience with the University of Texas at Dallas. He joined Famiy and Friends VIP Shuttle Services because he believes the mission of the company.
He has personally driven clients to prison facilities and witnessed the joy experienced by both the inmate and the visitor. A mother and her child told Lamar that the trip they took with Family and Friends was the most relaxing she had ever made.
Gerald Askew, Community Liaison Officer
Gerald Askew recently joined Family and Friends after years of service as volunteer chaplain in the Kairos and Epiphany outreach programs. He has also served as re-entry coordinator for East Dallas Weed and Seed and the Texas Offenders Re-entry Initiative. He specializes in resources for re-entry with emphasis on employment and health concerns.
After many years of serving the incarcerated and during the re-entry transition, Mr. Askew noticed how many families become disconnected when a loved one is serving their time due to irregular visits. A major factor for many low income families is the lack of transportation to visit their loved ones.
Family and Friends provides a necessary and much needed service for keeping families in contact and lessening negative behaviors in the prisons as well as increasing success rates when inmates transition back to society. Mr. Askew has joined the company to help spread the word to the community.
Lorenzo Parish, Chief Financial Officer
Lorenzo Parish oversees the financial, accounting, treasury, risk management and financial compliance operations of the company. Lorenzo has worked the last 14 years in servicing the metroplex. He has also worked in financial services for the last 4 years.
He joined Family and Friends in the initial start up stages in 2008. Lorenzo feels so many people in the community especially the elderly and children need a service as this. As he continues to personally speaks with customers, he's confident that Family and Friends will meet and exceed their expectations enabling them to see their love ones. He feels that family is the foundation of our society and friends like us can help you see your love ones, over and over again.
.