Our Story

PrivaDrive, LLC is a locally and veteran owned transportation company, servicing Michigan City, Indiana, and surrounding areas of northwest Indiana, southwest Michigan, and Chicagoland regions.  Jeremy Blacksten, CEO, founded the company in December of 2021, along with his wife, Stephanie Blacksten, CAO.  Their best friend Eric Torness, COO, joined the company as a consultant in 2022 after 15 years in the military, then became a partner in 2023.  The business formed as Jeremy realized the demand for drivers in the area was astonishing. Other transportation companies were extremely lacking in reliability and professionalism in the market, and providing top tier transportation to the community was something Jeremy knew he could accomplish.

Meet Our Team!

Meet Jeremy

Jeremy is a Michigan City native and the CEO and founder of PrivaDrive. He has used his in-depth knowledge in the transportation industry to create a company that is both efficient and tailored to his clients. His transportation experience includes moving freight via semis, then eventually moving into gig-work. Jeremy is a Michigan City native and the CEO and founder of PrivaDrive. He has used his in-depth knowledge in the transportation industry to create a company that is both efficient and tailored to his clients. His transportation experience includes moving freight via semis, then eventually moving into the ride-share industry. Both he and his wife, Stephanie, of fourteen years have made a home for their four children within the same community they both grew up in. Jeremy likes to spend his free time with his family, volunteering at a local church, playing guitar, and video games.

Jeremy does more than just own the business, his hands and talents are in all aspects of PrivaDrive. He is heavily involved in every angle of PrivaDrive, and does a majority of the airport and event transportation, along with Eric.

eric and jeremy podcast

Meet Eric

Eric was born in the Philippines, raised in South Dakota, and eventually found his way to the northern Indiana region. He spent fifteen years in the United States Army, graduating from the sergeant academy in 2017. Jeremy and Eric met in 2018 playing music in the Michigan City area. After leaving again for the military, Eric rejoined Jeremy in 2021 as his COO and business partner. Eric has held a Class B CDL equivalent through the military, driving large cargo trucks and personal vehicles, domestic and internationally. Eric has four children of his own and loves to spend time with them and his girlfriend. He enjoys traveling, any outdoor activity, playing music, and talking finance.

Eric is more than just an owner of the business as well, like Jeremy, he’s heavily involved in everything PrivaDrive, and also does a majority of the airport and event transportation.

Meet Stephanie

They say that behind every successful man, stands a woman. This case is no different for Jeremy and Stephanie. When you contact PrivaDrive, you typically are greeted by our friendly and professional CAO/CFO, handles most scheduling, and managing/creating all of our social media.

Stephanie began her finance career at Purdue North Central, pursuing a degree in business, with a concentration in accounting. Before she could finish, Jeremy and Stephanie welcomed their first child together, Estellise. They would go on to have two boys, Yuri and Flynn, and another girl, Alexeia. Stephanie would eventually take a hiatus from school to be a full-time mother, a job that she continues to excel in. Stephanie enjoys playing video games and raising her children, as well as graphic design in her spare time.

Stephanie’s natural talent for numbers and designing the growth of a busy family and start-up company makes her an incredibly valuable asset to everything that is PrivaDrive.

Sam

Meet Sam

Sam is a region native and a long-time friend of Stephanie and Jeremy. They met in 2016, and have been best friends ever since. She enjoys reading her bible, devoting time at church, and relaxing with friends and family, in her spare time. She especially loves animals, but none more than her dog Tank.
Sam previously worked in the medical field as a CNA, working in hospice care. Naturally, she shines in the customer service industry.

Margaret

Meet Margaret

Margaret is the newest member of the PrivaDrive team but she’s not new to passenger transportation. She was born and raised in Michigan City,  attending the same high school as Jeremy.  She later graduated from Indiana University South Bend in 2011.  She lived in Bloomington and Indianapolis before returning to the Michigan City area in 2016.  Margaret began her driving career working at two taxi companies in Bloomington and later drove for Uber Lux in Indianapolis. She inquired about PrivaDrive in 2022 after seeing Jeremy in an article about his startup.  In her free time, she enjoys playing ukulele in her band, exploring the outdoors, and being around her two kitties.

Looking For Safe, Dependable Transportation?

Looking For Safe, Dependable Transportation?

With our team of transportation professionals, you can rest assured that your traveling experience will be both comfortable and stress-free.