Benny & the jets

South Florida CEO, Sept, 2002 by J.P. Faber

Already, Garner is hard at work on a variety of ground concepts, going beyond DFASS' traditional spectrum of booze, perfumes and cosmetics and into regional specialty products, ranging from local wines to upscale food products. Again, Pasternak sees the gambit as the only way to go. "The airports are starting to become real merchandisers, rather than the old concept of putting stuff on a shelf and letting it sell itself," she says. "The industry is becoming more sophisticated and the airports want to become real showcases for luxury goods."

Klepach has already begun testing the concept of travel retail on domestic routes, beginning with a current test run on Continental flights from New York to Hawaii. "It's the captured audience, again," says Klepach. "You're in the air for 14 hours." While no alcohol or tobacco will be offered, there will be a selection of cosmetics, perfumes and gifts.

"It [travel retail] is a different sort of environment for retailers, one that reflects high profile items," says Diageo's Mirgel. "Duty free equals luxury items. It's not about cheap watches or perfumes. It's only luxury brands, and the more expensive of items."

With the opening of a whole new arena for Klepach, the only question for him, personally, is whether he can turn off the switch. Married to wife Juliette since 1991, and bringing up three children on Miami Beach, Klepach has a tendency to take his work with him wherever he goes.

"The thing is, you can never get complacent. You have to stay creative," says Klepach. "I go fishing for vacation, but sometimes that just lets me see the forest instead of the trees. That's when I get my best ideas."

Quips Garner: "I save them [my best ideas] until we go fishing. I say, never give up a good idea during the work week."

Along with building his company in South Florida, Klepach has also begun to build his personal clout. While he has no real business with Miami-Dade County, he has begun to contribute to local causes, especially political ones. Two years ago, he sponsored an international sister cities event at Vizcaya for Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas. This year he held a fundraiser for Gov. Jeb Bush in his home.

"It's not like Bush or Penelas can help him," says political lobbyist Rodney Barreto. "His business is based on his relationship with the airlines, not anybody in local politics. He's just jumping into the water, getting involved." Barreto, who has known Klepach for years, calls him "a businessman who doesn't leave any meat on the bone. He's very dynamic and he knows how to connect the dots."

County Manager Steve Shiver calls DFASS one of the "quiet giants" of business in Miami-Dade. "There are many businesses in Miami-Dade that have started here and grown here and been very successful," says Shiver. "Unfortunately, the daily media only talks about the ones with problems or those leaving here. You don't hear about the significant ones that are here and are growing. Benny's company is a classic example of that."

Klepach has also attracted kudos internationally. He is now officially a member of the "Keepers of the Quaich," an exclusive organization who members are voted on by the top scotch distillers worldwide for their contributions to the culture of scotch drinking.