MLOA Hosts Guest Speaker at Miami Meeting

MLOA President Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation

Miami — On October 13, the Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) held its last in-person meeting of the year during the Chauffeur Driven Show at Loews Miami Beach Hotel. The breakfast meeting gave the association’s far-flung membership base a chance to convene face-to-face, as well as listen to speaker Sheila Bright, who recently retired from AT&T as their supplier diversity director and is now working as a consultant.

MLOA President Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation began the meeting by recognizing the board of directors’ hard work and dedication, as well as emphasizing that membership has the benefit of “giving you a network of more than 450 cars,” thanks to the MLOA’s 149 members.

Citing the association’s value proposition of increased education, networking, financial literacy, fellowship, and development, Brewster also recognized the support of vendors like Create-a-Card, Battisti Customs, and Advantage Funding, saying that because of such partnerships, “together, we all develop as businesses.”

Guest Speaker Sheila Bright

Bright then took to the mic, speaking about the importance and value of supplier diversity to large corporate institutions. She advised the audience on ways to pursue, obtain, and leverage their ability to offer a diverse supplier base—which, in turn, results in “a really measurable ROI” for the corporations who work with minority-owned businesses.

A crucial piece of advice that Bright shared was well-aligned with initiatives that the MLOA has been offering, like helping its members seek Small Business Administration certification: “Getting certified needs to be a 2015-2016 goal,” she said. “You’re leaving money on the table if it’s not.” Bright also met with a handful of MLOA members in good standing for brief one-on-one sessions.

The meeting capped off with Sarah VanBeek and Katie Martinez of Chosen Payments presenting the association with a check for $1,500.

Visit mlooa.org for more information.

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Windy City Adds Patel to Senior Management Team

Anuj Patel, Senior Management Team Windy City Limousine

Chicago, Ill. — Windy City Limousine and Bus Worldwide is pleased to announce the addition of Anuj Patel to its senior management team.

Patel comes to Windy City from Perfect Limousine of Montvale, N.J., where he served as their general manager for the past three years. At Perfect, he was in charge of sales, promotions, advertising, social media, fleet management, chauffeur recruitment and training, and general operations. He is a graduate of George Washington University.

“Anuj is a vibrant young man with a terrific grasp of the limousine Industry, and business in general,” says George Jacobs, president of Windy City. “We have had extraordinary growth here at Windy City and have some amazing talent. Anuj will bring a fresh outlook to our company that will mesh well with our industry-leading management team.”

“Anuj will work really hard to help us get to the next level. I am supremely confident that he will succeed. In a short time, he has already had an impact with his out-of-the-box style of thinking,” added Jacobs.

Windy City Limousine and Bus Worldwide is a 10-year old company that is the largest chauffeured ground transportation company in Chicago and ranked eighth nationally. The company has been named to the INC 500/5,000 five years in a row, Crain’s Chicago Business Fast Fifty, and named as Best Transportation Company in Illinois by Chicago Magazine for seven straight years.

Visit windycitylimos.com for more information.

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Southwest Chapter of FLA Holds First Meeting

FLA President Rick Versace of A1A Limousine & Airport Service spoke during the chapter’s first meeting
Bonita Springs, Fla. — When the newest chapter of the Florida Limousine Association (FLA) gathered at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point on October 6, almost 40 companies were present for the debut meeting.

Spearheaded by President Randy Smith of Naples Transportation, Vice President Brandy Ollie of Go Platinum Transportation, and Secretary/Treasurer Rick Fugit of Gateway Coachworks, the Southwest addition to the Florida associations gives operators hailing from Collier and Lee counties a collective voice as the TNC battle gains traction on the state’s Gulf coast.

“It seems like everything happens on the eastern coast first and then filters over here: Our commissioners are just starting to listen to the Uber issue and decide what to do,” Smith said. “It’s just getting ready to come to a head, so now when we need to petition and lobby our elected officials, we have a little more strength rather than just Randy Smith going on behalf of Naples Transportation. Now I can go on behalf of 50 other companies.”

Smith adds that the chapter’s first meeting was roughly an even split between discussing how members can work together not only to get the industry’s message across to local leaders and government officials, but also for their own benefit with strength in numbers.

Nearly 40 companies were present for the debut meeting of the FLA’s Southwest chapter
“That’s our first immediate need, to have that one large, collective voice so that we can fight the TNC issues,” said Smith. “Because, believe it or not, we don’t have a lot of ongoing issues. Insurance is getting tougher on a lot of companies so we are going to help our members with that area and with things like legal issues, but the TNCs are our biggest problem right now.”

In a show of statewide unity, FLA President Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service spoke at the chapter’s first meeting. West Florida Livery Association President Dave Shaw of Network Limousines has also been helping behind the scenes, offering “starting information, pointers, and tidbits” as the Southwest chapter starts filling a regional void.

“We’ve never had any kind of transportation association—taxi, limo, whatever—in southwest Florida,” he said. “No one ever knew of any other association, so it was just time that we all got together. We all know each other, we all kind of work with each other, and we recognized that we need to have a collective voice these days.”

The chapter is currently in the beginning phases of creating its website and meeting schedule, and is finalizing its November meeting date.

Contact rsmith@nttep.com for more information.

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Florida Operators Meet Up at CD’s Miami Show

Members of the Greater Orlando Limousine Association, West Florida Livery Association, newly formed Southwest chapter, and Florida Limousine Association (FLA) were on hand for the October 12 FLA meeting

Miami — The Florida Limousine Association (FLA) hosted a full house at its October 12 meeting, which was held during the Chauffeur Driven Show at Loews Miami Beach Hotel. With representation from the Greater Orlando Limousine Association, West Florida Livery Association, and newly formed Southwest chapter of the FLA, operators and supporters from all over the Sunshine State were on hand for the breakfast meeting.

FLA Executive Director and CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela filled in for President Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service, addressing the crowd and introducing the full slate of presenters who spoke at the meeting.

International Association of Transportation Regulators President Matt Daus of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf kicked off the meeting by providing an overview of TNC regulatory progress. After explaining why he recently used Uber for a ride in Florida—“You need to know your enemy; if you don’t, you’ll never beat them”—he said that the FLA collective has seen the most success in its fight against ride-sharing services and offered some advice for moving ahead in their campaign.

FLA Executive Director and CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela (left) and International Association of Transportation Regulators President Matt Daus of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf

“This battle is not over but you guys are winning it,” Daus said, noting that “now’s the time to double down” by hiring the right lobbyists, being mindful of resource allocation, and staying the course.

Daus went on to explain how TNCs violate the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, giving legally operating, traditional transportation companies a leg up in that regard.

Those in attendance also heard from attorney Daniel Levine, who spoke about the differences between employee and independent contractor models; lobbyist Ron Book, who discussed ways to further the association’s TNC battle; Stuart Gold of miRide, which is gearing up to unite Florida’s chauffeured transportation operations under one app that offers a luxury experience as well as luxury service; and insurance agent Charles Caravella from Hawkeye Claims.

At the end of the meeting, several association members came forward to pledge additional monetary support to the FLA in order to help defray the costs of its lobbying efforts and other expenses necessary in maintaining the integrity of Florida’s transportation industry.

Visit floridalimousine.com for more information.

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TBR Global Expands into Corporate Traveler Security

Glasgow, Scotland — Executive ground transportation company TBR Global recently expanded its services to provide a secure global travel solution for the corporate travel management community.

Through a new partnership with security professionals Priavo, TBR Global has initiated a new division called TBR Secure, which will specialize in providing safety for corporate travelers doing business in regions considered “high-risk.” The TBR Secure team has experience managing ground transportation in areas such as Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, and has provided secure travel for high-profile individuals, events, roadshows, and corporations.

Using real-time data to determine the level of risk in a particular region, TBR Secure assesses the potential threat of civil unrest, terror, or political upheaval, and tailors a safety solution to the size and status of a group. Clients are provided with a single consistent TBR Secure point of contact with whom they can build trust and familiarity.

“This partnership allows us to offer a competitive secure chauffeur driving solution without the full costs of close protection details: a trend in which both companies have experienced real growth in recent months,” said Craig Chambers, managing director of TBR Global.

From the pre-trip risk assessment to the journey’s end, TBR Secure is focused on delivering a safe and trustworthy service, ensuring the trip is safe, relaxing, and on schedule, he says.

Celine Murphy, commercial director of Priavo, elaborated: “As many companies are expanding or outsourcing operations in emerging markets and complex environments, we have experienced demand for a secure driving service.”

Visit tbrglobal.com for more information.

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Grace Limousine Acquires Capital City Limousine

CCL Founder Joseph Seluk (left) and Grace Limousine President and CEO Michael Campbell
Manchester, N.H. — Grace Limousine has recently purchased Capital City Limousine (CCL), a Concord, N.H.-area livery company with a strong brand in the region. Founded in 2007, CCL has nearly $500,000 in annual revenue. With this acquisition, Grace Limousine broadens its reach into northern New Hampshire.

Both Grace’s President and CEO Michael Campbell and CCL’s Founder Joseph Seluk are confident that this transition will improve service for their clients. CCL’s key chauffeur and office staff will join Grace, strengthening its ranks and ensuring consistency for CCL’s longstanding clientele.

Seluk, who will stay on with Grace as a consultant, commented: “I am truly excited for Capital City’s clients. Grace has a newer fleet and 24/7 reservation support that, as a smaller company, we were unable to provide. It was time to pass the baton, and I knew Grace would be the one to take us further and faster. I am very confident that our clients will continue to experience the exceptional A+ BBB service from Grace that they received from Capital City.”

Campbell added, “I am ecstatic that we are able to add Capital City Limousine’s strong brand and loyal clientele to the Grace Limousine family. I admire the way Joe has grown his business from the ground up, and I am looking forward to working with him and his staff to provide his clients with the very best chauffeured car experience available.”

Founded in 1990, Grace Limousine is a family-owned business that serves New Hampshire, the Merrimack Valley, and Boston North. Capital City’s fleet and key personnel will enable Grace to continue to provide deluxe and dependable service.

Visit gracelimo.com for more information.

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Advantage Funding Launches New Multi-Featured Website

Lake Success, N.Y — Advantage Funding, one of the largest ground transportation finance firms in the U.S., has launched a robust and interactive new website. Equipped with payment calculators, an online application form, and automated customer account functionalities, the site provides an enhanced experience for customers, prospects, and anyone seeking information about financing commercial and vocational vehicles and equipment.

“Advantage Funding is pleased to offer state-of-the-art online services and information for users of mobile as well as traditional technology,” said AlDamiani, CEO. “It’s our goal to increase knowledge about our company and products while also providing new efficiencies for customers and prospects.”

The new website also includes a pull-down customer service menu that provides secure access to customer account information and options; a newsroom blog with short takes on subjects ranging from how to create a value proposition to what’s new in waste equipment, financing information for dealerships, lease and loan customers, and prospects; and success stories and testimonials from Advantage Funding customers.

Also included on the enhanced site are videos, which include a profile of Damiani as well as a feature on the company’s unique customer service. Another new feature is an “Equipment for Sale” link that customers can open to view used equipment currently for sale at the company’s Brookhaven, N.Y., facility. “This is one of the more dynamic and most popular areas our site,” commented Damiani.

Visit advantagefund.com for more information.

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