Latest news with #Fitzsimmons
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Limo company accused of scamming nonprofit, standing up Eaton fire survivors before prom
A limo company is accused of taking thousands of dollars that a nonprofit donated to help give young Eaton fire survivors a prom night to remember — then vanishing without a word, leaving two dozen dolled-up teenagers without a ride. Students at Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, many of whom lost their homes in the January firestorm, were stood up on Saturday by limousine service Wize Guy Entertainment, which nonprofit organization Alice's Kids had paid to transport them to the dance, according to the head of the nonprofit. 'Alice's Kids is outraged and heartbroken over the failure of Shawn Lasley, owner of Wize Guy Entertainment, to provide limousine services — for which he was paid $4,320 — services meant to give 24 deserving high school students affected by the Eaton wildfires a special and memorable prom night,' said Sean Fitzsimmons, Alice's Kids executive director, in a statement. Longtime Alice's Kids supporter Steve Carell released a video in March announcing that the Virginia-based nonprofit would donate $175,000 to cover prom tickets for some 800 students at six schools in Altadena and Pasadena. Fitzsimmons then traveled out to Los Angeles last weekend to attend a pre-prom celebration and offered to cover the cost of the limo rides as a bonus. Lasley did not respond to The Times' request for comment. The Wize Guy Entertainment website was taken down after a slew of negative reviews were left by furious parents on the business' Yelp page. Altadena mother Carrie Meyers said she was enraged when she realized that the kids were being stood up. Meyers lost both her home that had been in the family for four decades and her business Steve's Pets, which was founded by her uncle in 1971, to the Eaton fire. This year has been a nightmare for the whole family, and she said that this fiasco on a night that was meant to provide a joyful respite felt like a sucker punch. Fortunately, the students still made it to prom after parents ordered Ubers for the group, Meyers said. But they did have to miss a professional photo shoot that was scheduled to take place en route. Fitzsimmons said Alice's Kids is committed to holding the limousine company accountable for the alleged no-show. 'As a nonprofit dedicated to helping children in need, Alice's Kids finds this breach not only unacceptable, but a misuse of charitable funds,' he said. 'We are demanding a full refund and are prepared to pursue every legal and public avenue to ensure accountability.' Meyers added that parents of the impacted teens are also upset. 'The point is, you don't mess with my kids,' she said. 'All us moms, you don't mess with our kids.'
The Onion
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Onion
Nervous Man Introduces Date To His Hives
TORONTO—Admitting that he had butterflies in anticipation, local man Greg Fitzsimmons reported feeling nervous Friday before introducing his date to his hives for the first time. 'They can get irritated pretty easily, so I really hope everybody gets along,' said the 33-year-old, confessing that it had been quite some time since he had brought a woman home to meet his urticaria. 'I've had them for a while now, so they've seen plenty of women come and go, but they don't always react well to new interactions. Sometimes they'll blow up and I don't even know what it was that triggered them. Maybe a little liquid Benadryl would help everybody play it cool.' Fitzsimmons went on to say that if everything went well, he hoped he would soon be meeting her bunions.
Otago Daily Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Food delivery business dream realised
Rhys Fitzsimmons has started his own food delivery company in Winton. Photo: Nina Tapu Getting knocked back has not stopped a Southland man from achieving his dream. Rhys Fitzsimmons' dream of owning his own food delivery company came true this week, when Fitzy's Knockout Deliveries started operating in Winton. The former Northlander turned Southlander said he first tried to launch his business two years ago but several knockbacks and being told he could not ''take on the competition'' put the plan on hold. Mr Fitzsimmons, who normally works as a courier, said the challenges only made him more determined to reach his goal. ''I asked one bank for their help but they wouldn't support me so I approached another and got their backing. ''I've had lots of people tell me that I wouldn't be able to compete with the big guys in the market but I knew that coming from Winton myself made the difference between me and them.'' Years of doing food deliveries in Melbourne, Australia motivated him to start his own business after he returned to New Zealand to live in Winton, where his wife Ruth comes from, in 2021. The support of the Winton community encouraged him to not give up on his dream and get his business up and running, he said. ''I think Kiwis like to support each other and being a Kiwi-owned business helps.'' Also having his parents, Helen and Sid Fitzsimmons, approve of his business name inspired him to take the risk. Fitzy's Knockout Deliveries is named for the boxing achievements of his great-great uncle Robert James Fitzsimmons. ''He was was the world's first champion to win in three divisions and he got into the Guinness Book of Records. ''I just wanted to use the word knockout as a way to remember what he did in the ring.'' People can order food from Winton eateries via Fitzy's Knockout Deliveries website and Mr Fitzsimmons will deliver it by car. His customers were mixed, with people living in town or country, young families and older people who just wanted a hot meal already made. There were also customers who worked in Invercargill. He believed that people knew him from his courier role and he was familiar with the area, so he had a bit of an advantage on delivery companies from other places.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ironwoman Fitzsimmons retires after fairytale win
After collecting a record-breaking fourth Australian Surf Life Saving Ironwoman crown, Georgia Fitzsimmons has bid farewell to the sport. The 28-year-old finished off a stellar career in style, surpassing Karla Gilbert's record for Ironwoman titles with a convincing win at North Kirra beach on the Gold Coast on Sunday. Adding to her legend, Fitzsimmons is one of only three women to win the triple crown - the Australian, Coolangatta Gold and Iron Series. "I am just speechless. I can't even remember what happened out there," an emotional Fitzsimmons said. "Four (titles) is insane, and for it to be my last Ironwoman, I'm very happy to go out that way. "I never thought I'd win one, let alone winning four. "To have surpassed Karla (Gilbert) ... it's an incredible legacy to leave, and one I will be very proud of for the rest of my life. "I said it before, but I've got to go buy a lottery ticket. "I think I'm the luckiest girl on earth right now, and I'm definitely going to celebrate this and soak it all in." View this post on Instagram A post shared by GEORGIA FITZSIMMONS (@georgia_miller) Fitzsimmons led from start to finish, taking a handy advantage after the first board leg, before making it a certainty during the swim. Like Fitzsimmons, Ali Day won a fourth Australian title after winning the men's event by more than 30 metres. At the beginning of the season he made surf sports history, claiming a record-breaking 10th Coolangatta Gold crown. "I guess that's experience for me now being in things that's my 10th or 11th Australian Ironman final, I know how to stick to the race plan," Day said. "North Kirra is a lucky beach for me. "I came down here as like a 15-year-old and marvelled at Shannon Eckstein, Zane Holmes and Ky Hurst and thought, 'how cool would that be to one day be in the same arena' … and now I'm mentioned the same sentence as them, it's really special."
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Monro, Inc. Appoints Peter Fitzsimmons as President and Chief Executive Officer
Monro, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNRO), a leading provider of automotive undercar repair and tire services, today announced the appointment of Peter Fitzsimmons, Partner and Managing Director of AlixPartners, as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Michael Broderick has departed the Company as President and CEO following the Board's determination that a change in leadership is necessary. Fitzsimmons' mandate is to work with the management team and Board to develop and execute a performance improvement plan to enhance operations, drive profitability, and increase operating income and total shareholder returns. During his career, Fitzsimmons has served in senior executive roles at clients undertaking significant efforts to improve operations and financial performance. Some of his notable executive experience includes serving as CEO of a large automotive collision repair business, where he drove an over 25% sales improvement in 2022, and as CFO of an auto parts distributor. Chairman of the Board, Robert Mellor said, 'The Monro Board and management are taking decisive actions intended to improve the Company's performance and enhance the value we are delivering to our shareholders today, and over the long-term. As part of this, the Board determined that a change in leadership was necessary, and we are pleased to appoint Peter to lead this critical phase in our evolution, and our next chapter of growth. Peter has a proven track record of success and a mandate to reinvigorate the business and restore operating margins. We are confident that with our consistent cash generation, ample liquidity, solid balance sheet, and our compelling offerings to customers, Monro will achieve its potential as a premier automotive service provider under Peter's leadership.' Fitzsimmons said, 'Monro has shown impressive durability through business cycles and benefits from a low leverage profile, nation-wide presence and important strategic relationships. I look forward to working with the Board and management team to improve Monro's performance and unlock its full value.' Mellor continued, 'We appreciate Mike Broderick's commitment to Monro and thank him for his contributions. We wish him all the best.' Fitzsimmons has been appointed as President and CEO in connection with, and as part of a strategic consulting engagement with AlixPartners, LLP and its affiliate AP Services, LLC. About Peter Fitzsimmons Peter Fitzsimmons is a Partner and Managing Director of AlixPartners, a global consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses address challenges, where he has served in client-focused leadership roles advising companies across a wide range of industries including automotive and industrial, retail, telecom, software, consumer products and financial services. He rejoined AlixPartners in 2020 after spending seven years with Tower Three Partners, an operationally-oriented private equity firm. Fitzsimmons first joined AlixPartners in 1995, and during his career with the firm has served as an advisor, CEO and CFO to clients undertaking significant transformations. He holds a BA from Harvard College and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. About Monro, Inc. Monro, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNRO) is one of the nation's leading automotive service and tire providers, delivering best-in-class auto care to communities across the country, from oil changes, tires and parts installation, to the most complex vehicle repairs. With a growing market share and a focus on sustainable growth, the Company generated almost $1.3 billion in sales in fiscal 2024 and continues to expand its national presence through strategic acquisitions and the opening of newly constructed stores. Across more than 1,250 stores and 8,500 service bays nationwide, Monro brings customers the professionalism and high-quality service they expect from a national retailer, with the convenience and trust of a neighborhood garage. Monro's highly trained teammates and certified technicians bring together hands-on experience and state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and address automotive needs every day to get customers back on the road safely. For more information, please visit Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may contain statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words and phrases as 'anticipate,' 'could,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'potential,' 'will,' and other similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors include, but are not necessarily limited to the Company's ability to improve its performance and shareholder value and other factors set forth elsewhere in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2024. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. SOURCE: Monro, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/31/2025 07:45 AM/DISC: 03/31/2025 07:46 AM
