Lorenz Bus Service Honored for Three Decades of Family Legacy and Community Impact
A 30-year family journey of innovation, service, and community pride on Minnesota’s roads
In 1994, Jim Lorenz and his business partner, Allan, found themselves at a crossroads. Initially tasked with brokering the sale of a transportation business, the deal unexpectedly fell through. Rather than walking away, the pair seized the opportunity to purchase the company themselves. What began as an unplanned decision quickly grew into a legacy. More than 30 years later, Lorenz Bus Service has become a Minnesota institution, recently recognized as a 2025 Minnesota Family Business Award honoree by Twin Cities Business.
For Jim, the vision was simple but profound: to build something lasting that could be passed on to his children. Today, that dream lives on through the leadership of his sons, Michael and Luis, who have both reshaped and modernized the company while keeping its family values at the forefront.
Michael, described by colleagues as someone who “lives and breathes buses,” has brought deep industry knowledge and relationship-building expertise to the sales side of the business. His efforts have dramatically shifted the company’s client base and expanded its reach. Luis, on the other hand, has been the architect of systems and processes that keep Lorenz running smoothly. From implementing new charter and maintenance systems to adopting advanced telematics, he has transformed the operational backbone of the company. Together, their complementary strengths have propelled Lorenz Bus Service forward while honoring their father’s legacy.
What sets Lorenz apart is not just innovation, but a culture rooted in genuine care and community connection. Generations of local families have worked at Lorenz, with multiple siblings and relatives often on staff. Nearly everyone in the community has, at some point, ridden one of their buses—whether heading to school, a Yankees game, or catching a ride to the Minnesota State Fair.
That deep connection to people and place defines the company. Employees describe Lorenz as a workplace built on pride in service, constant improvement, and a commitment to making travel safe, accessible, and enjoyable. “We take a lot of pride in the buses we put on the road and the service we provide,” one employee reflected. “At the end of the day, we also all try and have a good time doing it.”
From its beginnings as an unexpected business venture to its recognition as a model family enterprise, Lorenz Bus Service embodies the power of vision, resilience, and care in driving both industry success and community impact.
