ALA’s Holiday Lunch Draws a Crowd

More than 30 people attended ALA’s holiday luncheon

Phoenix — More than 30 members and supporters were in attendance for Arizona Limousine Association’s (ALA’s) first holiday luncheon at the restaurant Macayo’s on Central. Chauffeur Driven Publisher Chris Weiss was among those who turned out for the festive event.

ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide kicked off the gathering by addressing association business before handing the meeting over to Weiss, who was also the day’s guest speaker. He shared insights into industry trends and prevailing concerns before launching in to a Q&A session.

“Having Chris and Chauffer Driven there was great, and we appreciate the support our association has received,” Conly said.

L to R: ALA Director Billy Jinks of JET Limousines, CD Publisher Chris Weiss, ALA Director Keith Clifton of Desert Knights Sedans and Limousines, and ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide

Weiss brought with him two certificates to CD’s 2017 events to be raffled off to some lucky winners, both of whom are ALA directors. Billy Jinks of JET Limousines won a pass to the June 25-28 Executive Retreat in San Francisco while Keith Clifton of Desert Knights Sedans and Limousines got the pass for the 2017 CD Show in Orlando, which will be October 22-25.

The next ALA meeting will be January 31.

Visit azlimousineassociation.com for more information.

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NELA Holds Quarterly Meeting and Holiday Party, Remembers Departed Friends

The NELA Board of Directors with CD Editor Rob Smentek (2nd from left)

Burlington, Mass. — More than 100 members and guests were present of the New England Livery Association’s (NELA’s) quarterly meeting and holiday party sponsored by Lancer Insurance and Research Underwriters and held at the Boston Marriott Burlington on December 13. Not only did the event give NELA members the opportunity to catch up on industry and association business, but the seasonal merry-making was in full effect, along with some entertainment courtesy of comic Steve Sweeney. CD Editor Rob Smentek was among those in attendance.

While a DJ spun holiday favorites, the party got underway with a cocktail hour sponsored by Chauffeur Driven. Following a buffet dinner, NELA President Mike Callahan of Able Limousine welcomed the crowd, and asked everyone for a moment of silence in honor of recently passed NELA members Johnny Greene and Jerry Robbins.

NELA presents two checks to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (L to R) Pam Simms-Spitzer of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Tammy Saccocio of Commonwealth Worldwide, Karen Kelly of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Mike Callahan of Able Limousine

Next, the evening’s sponsors were invited to speak, including Steven O’Shea from Lancer Insurance, Steve Crispo from Research Underwriters, Dan Morgan from Advantage Funding, Jeff DeMarco from Royale Limousine Manufacturers, and NELA Director Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives spoke on behalf Jeff Brodsly from Chosen Payments who was unable to attend. Scott Solombrino of Dav El/Boston Coach was invited to speak, and shared his memories of close friend Robbins and provided an update of the association’s legislation successes.

The giving spirit of the season was in full force when two checks were presented to the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). Earlier in the year, NELA raised funds for the foundation at the association’s annual golf tournament. Six thousand dollars was raised from proceeds of the golf outing, followed by another $5000 bid by Dawson Rutter of Commonwealth Worldwide at a live auction following the tournament. At the holiday party, Tami Saccoccio of Commonwealth presented the checks to CFF representatives Karen Kelly and Pam Simms-Spitzer.

CD Show pass winner Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine with CD Editor Rob Smentek

NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management along with Saitta then acted as MCs for the evening’s auction, which included a pass donated by CD to their 2017 Trade Show and Conference in Orlando from October 22-25. NELA 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine was the winner. Other prizes included an assortment of lottery tickets that was donated in Robbins’ name.

The evening concluded with a comedy show and karaoke party, sponsored by Chosen Payments, Advantage Funding, Royale Limousine Manufacturers, and an anonymous sponsor on behalf of Robbins. Sweeney, a regional comedy legend and character actor, kept attendees in hysterics during his 45-minute stand-up set. NELA members and their families then got to play rock star as they sang some of classic rock’s biggest hits.

NELA’s next quarterly meeting is scheduled to be held on February 28 at Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus, Mass.

Visit nelivery.org for more information.

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GCLA Ends 2016 With Holiday Party, New Board

GCLA Board of Directors

Los Angeles — Fresh off the success of its NorCal Holiday Party a week earlier, the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) welcomed more than 200 members, supporters, friends, and family members to its annual meeting December 13. CD Editor Madeleine Maccar was on hand for the yearly gathering, which was held at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott.

The meeting kicked off with Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide Transportation—identifying himself as “acting GCLA president”—circling the packed room with a microphone in hand to make sure all in attendance had an opportunity to introduce themselves, which also demonstrated the coast-to-coast representation the annual meeting attracts. Illingworth also highlighted GCLA’s 2016 successes, which included pushing back the date for all “older” limousines to be retrofitted with a fifth-door escape to January 1, 2018.

Katie Martinez of Chosen Payments (left) with CD Editor Madeleine Maccar

The evening progressed with a number of heartfelt speeches, award presentations, and standing ovations—plus the announcement of the 2017 GCLA Board of Directors, which is as follows:

Jami Crouch of Aadvanced Limousines won an attendee and spouse pass to the 2017 CD Show in Orlando

President: David Kinney of Global
1st Vice President: Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide Transportation
2nd Vice President: Darren Croasdale of La Costa Limousine
Treasurer: Rick Buell of Diva Limousine
Secretary: Ryan Silva of Epic Transportation
Regional directors: Perry Barin of Music Express, Gary Bauer of Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation, Harry Dhillon of Ecko Transportation Worldwide, Mo Garkani of C.O.T.S. Inc., Robert Gaskill of Motive, Raphael Sousa of SF Limo Express, and Brandan Stein of Exclusive Sedan Service
Vendor directors: Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments, Phillip Hartz of Acton Penske/SoCal Professional Vehicles, Lee Martinez of TransCap Insurance Agency, Patrick O’Brien of O’Brien & Associates, and Steve Wood of South Bay Ford

The evening concluded with a live auction that benefited the association in its ongoing efforts to benefit both the industry and the safety of all transportation professionals and passengers alike. Chauffeur Driven helped raise $3,000 by donating a pass to the San Francisco Executive Retreat won by Dhillon, an attendee and spouse pass to the 2017 CD Show in Orlando that was won by Jami Crouch of Aadvanced Limousines, and a full-page ad, which was won by Brodsly.

Visit gcla.org for more information.

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Brevard Executive Collects Four Thousand Toys for Local Charity

Wendy Kleefisch, owner of Brevard Executive Limousine


Representatives from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office helping with the toy drive

Indialantic, Fla — Brevard Executive Limousine recently held their annual Toys for Kids drive to benefit the children in tour. Assisted by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the company collected more than 4000 toys.

“Reaching our goal to help the community would not have been possible without the help of these wonderful deputies, said Wendy Kleefisch, the owner of Brevard Executive Limousine. I would like to spotlight the wonderful men and women of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office for helping put a smile on the children of Brevard faces.”

Every toy collected in the drive stays within the Indialantic community. Since 1995, Toys for Kids has distributed toys to over 100,000 children. Plans are already underway for next year’s drive, which will begin on November 24, 2017.

Visit brevardexecutive.com or toysforkidsbrevard.org for more information.

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Lancer Named Tops In Fighting Insurance Fraud

Long Beach, NY — In arguably the worst insurance fraud jurisdiction in the U.S., the New York City metropolitan area, Lancer Insurance Company’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has been named the 2016 SIU Department of the Year by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). NICB’s award recognizes Lancer’s extraordinary efforts in fighting auto-related insurance fraud, and our strong working relationship with local, state and federal authorities involved in the fight against this growing criminal activity.

The top department award received by Lancer for 2016 joins with the individual awards previously received from NICB by Lancer claims professionals Paul Wasielewski (2015) and Christina Federici (2014).

Lancer Insurance Company has been rated “excellent” by the A.M. Best Company and is one of the nation’s leading providers of traditional commercial automobile liability, physical damage, and general liability insurance coverages to the motorcoach, bus, and chauffeured transportation industries.

Visit lancerinsurance.com for more information.

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Five Operators Take 2017-2020 NLA Board Seats

Marlton, N.J. —The National Limousine Association (NLA) recently held its annual board election.

When voting closed on December 16 at 8 p.m. EST, five operators have been elected to the 2017-2020 Board of Directors. The results are as follows:  

• At-Large: Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoach in Everett, Mass.
• Central Region: Erich Reindl of Avanti International Transportation in Houston, Texas
• Northeast Region: Douglas Schwartz of Executive Limousine in Bellmore, N.Y.
• Southeast Region: Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service in Boca Raton, Fla.
• West Region: Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation in Petaluma, Calif.

Scott Solombrino of
Dav El/BostonCoach
 


Erich Reindl of
Avanti International Transportation


Douglas Schwartz of
Executive Limousine
 


Rick Versace of
A1A Airport & Limousine Service


Gary Buffo of
Pure Luxury Transportation

This term will be the first for Versace. Schwartz and Reindl, both incumbents, will be serving their second consecutive term. Buffo and Solombrino, also incumbents, will be serving their third and fourth consecutive terms, respectively.

Thank you to all candidates for their willingness to serve. “Regardless of the outcome of the election, all of you are wonderful assets to our industry, but most importantly, to our association” said Nominating Committee Co-Chair Steve Qua.

Buffo, who is also NLA’s president, said, “On behalf of the entire membership, we want to thank each candidate for their willingness to serve this association and its members.”

The new board members will take their elected seats on March 12 in Las Vegas.

Visit limo.org for more information.

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Overview: The New 2016 Cadillac CT6

Cadillac’s new  ultra-lux CT6 sedan is going head-to-head against BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S Class.

See The News Wheel article

Keywords

Cadillac   Cadillac CT6   General Motors   new vehicles   

 

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