VLA Celebrates With Holiday Cheer

VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation

Fredericksburg, Va. — Nearly 50 members, vendors, family members, and guests of the Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) flocked to Ristorante Renato in historic Fredericksburg for a festive holiday gathering December 4. CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela—who also serves as VLA’s executive director—was among those who attended the end-of-year party.

Several VLA members donated door prizes for the holiday party
The association benefited from the generosity of its operator and vendor members, as there was a bevy of door prizes donated from the likes of American Executive Sedan Service, Complete Fleet, Executive Town Car, Georgetown Insurance, Love Limousine, Reston Limousine, RMA Worldwide, Sonny Merryman, Superior Executive Transportation, and ZBest Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation. Chauffeur Driven also donated a pass to its 2018 Show at the Gaylord National, which was won by Claude Crista of Williamsburg Chauffeur Service. Other items up for grabs included gift cards, a set of his-and-hers Skagen watches, a mountain bike, wine, and discounts on select Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

Attendees enjoyed a sit-down dinner and each other’s company
For the VLA, the holiday party is an opportunity to put business aside for a day and celebrate the successes the association has seen come to fruition by banding together—despite comprising competing companies. And the VLA had much to be proud of in the past year.

L to R: VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation, Ashley Polk of Fleet Transportation, and CD Industry & Brand Ambassador/VLA Executive Director Philip Jagiela
“I can say this association has grown professionally, and industry-engagement-wise, to a level that is exciting to be a part of,” Jagiela said. “We are a team of professionals who highlight the positive.”
Aside from the door-prize and 50/50 raffles, the evening also allowed association members a chance to mix and mingle with their local industry peers while enjoying their company over dinner, drinks, and dessert.
The next VLA membership meeting will be February 5, though all members are welcome to dial into the monthly executive board conference calls on the first Thursday of every month.

Visit vla-limo.org for more information.

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KLTS Transportation Opens New Los Angeles Location

San Diego, Calif. — KLTS Transportation has furthered their reach within the Southern California market with the opening of a new office in Los Angeles, based just minutes away from LAX. This new location is fully operational with a full fleet of sedans, SUVs, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, and minicoaches.

Mike Muhsin, president & CEO of KLTS, says that this expansion will give them the opportunity to build new affiliate relations and acquire new accounts in the L.A. region. In the coming year the company plans to grow the L.A. office’s fleet to 30-40 vehicles.

President & CEO Mike Muhsin
This year has been very eventful for Muhsin and his growing company. In January 2017, KLTS acquired LJ Transportation, one of the Sand Diego area’s oldest and most successful limousine services. Then in July, KLTS merged with Talia First Class Limousine and Wine Tours of El Cajon.

Muhsin is excited about the future of his business. “We’re looking forward to continuing to grow and serve the Southern California market. We now have more than 70 vehicles that run between San Diego and L.A.”

Visit kltslimo.com for more information.

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KLA Celebrates the Holidays, Begins Board Elections

Members of KLA with CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela (fifth from right)

Louisville, Ky. — On December 5, the Kentucky Limousine Association (KLA) capped off 2017 with its annual holiday party, as well as formally electing the president and 1st vice president who’ll see the southern association through the next three years. CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela was among those who attended the festive, intimate gathering.

The business portion of the event started with a brief meeting. President Kent Sparks of Lake Cumberland Limousine introduced Jagiela, who spoke of national trends and discussed how Chauffeur Driven aims to benefit the industry.

Members then zeroed in on local concerns, starting with the sales taxes imposed on chauffeured ground transportation services and legislation being considered for implementation. Jagiela offered insight into the Limousine Association of New Jersey’s (LANJ’s) battle on similar grounds, which ended in success this past January when its members saw a bill passed into law that removed the state’s seven-percent sales tax on transportation services. Jagiela emphasized that the grassroots efforts of KLA’s industry peers to the north were the key to LANJ’s success in seeing the passage of a beneficial, common-sense law, and advised the assemblage of Kentucky operators to follow that boots-on-the-ground, legislatively active model.

Jagiela (left) with 2018 CD Show pass winner, outgoing KLA President Kent Sparks of Lake Cumberland Limousine
While TNCs remain a hot issue throughout the industry, KLA members have, for the most part, not felt too much of a sting from the newcomers’ continued encroachment on their transportation turf. The lack of a significant impact is twofold: TNCs are providing services not typically performed by members’ companies (like so-called late-night “drunk runs”) while struggling to find qualified drivers.

Several board positions will be announced in January, but the December meeting saw the installment of two officers, President BJ Burton of Limos By Knight and 1st Vice President NeVelle Skaggs of Skaggs Limousine & Transportation.

Before adjourning the meeting, Sparks thanked all in attendance for their support during his three years on the KLA board, especially during his tenure as president. Spark was also the winner of the 2018 CD Show pass that Jagiela raffled off before the meeting headed to the nearby Bristol Bar & Grille for KLA’s yearly holiday celebration.

The next KLA meeting will be January 9.

Visit kylimo.org for more information.

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Premier Limousine to Hold Second Annual Holiday Toy Drive

Berlin, Conn. — Premier Limousine, a luxury transportation service provider, will be holding its second annual holiday toy drive for the children of New Britain Transitional Center and Klingberg Family Centers in New Britain, Conn. The company will be collecting donations during its Fill the Bus event on December 9 at Toys R Us on 1471 New Britain Avenue in West Hartford between the hours of 9:00am through 2:00pm. Additionally, Premier Limousine will be collecting donated toys at its headquarters on 76 Fuller Way in Berlin between 9:00am through 4:00pm through December 15.

“At Premier Limousine, our holiday toy drive is one of our proudest traditions. Being able to put a smile on kids’ faces when they see a bus full of toys is incredible, and we absolutely look forward to this program all year,” said Angelo DiMarco, president of marketing & IT at Premier Limousine. “We’re honored to help New Britain Transitional Center and Klingberg Family Centers through this toy drive, and we look forward to coming together with our local community to make the holidays brighter for the kids at these organizations.”

Donated toys must be brand new and unwrapped. At the Fill the Bus event, Premier Limousine will have a silver 30-passenger limo bus parked at the Toys R Us parking lot. As a result of Premier Limousine’s 2016 toy drive, the company was able to donate over 300 toys and $200 in gift cards.

The New Britain Transitional Center is one of New Britain’s alternative settings for students from kindergarten through grade 12.

Klingberg Family Centers, founded in 1903, is a private, nonprofit multi-service agency providing help to thousands of persons across Connecticut each year. Through an array of group care, special education, foster care and community programs, children, and parents are given the encouragement and skills they need to function more effectively at home, in school, and in their community.

Visit premierlimo.com for more information.

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Hollowsands Hosts First ‘Limos by Santa’ Toy Donation

Philadelphia — Hollowsands Luxury Limousine is hosting their first-ever Limos by Santa holiday gift donation on Friday, December 22 from 2 to 4pm. The event will benefit children receiving treatment at the Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J.

Co-owner of Hollowsands, Jordan Sanders, plans to bring a Sprinter of toys to the hospital, which will then be distributed to the kids. Sanders is especially excited about creating a new holiday tradition for the eight-year-old company that will spread some holiday cheer to the region.

“I reached out to Cooper to do something for the kids there. To folks in the Philadelphia area, Camden is sort of forgotten, so the hospital really liked the idea.”

Jordan Sanders, co-owner of Hollowsands Luxury Limousine
It wouldn’t be a holiday event for the kids without a Santa Claus, so none-other than Philip Jagiela, CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador, will don that big red suit. It’s a role he’s very comfortable with—as he’s played the part many times over the years—and it brings him a great deal of joy. When Sanders asked him to be involved, Jagiela accepted without hesitation.

“I guarantee that I get a bigger benefit it than the kids,” he says.

Sanders is going to post a live video of the even on the Hollowsands Facebook page. It’s his hope that Limos by Santa will become something that people remember so it can grow bigger and better each year.

Visit hollowsands.com for more information.

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DH2 Chauffeured Transportation Appoints New CEO

New DH2 Transportation CEO Nancy Vargas

New York — DH2 Chauffeured Transportation has announced that Nancy Vargas, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective immediately. She previously held the position of chief operating officer (COO). Current President and CEO, Mike Vargas will transition to COO. Both Nancy and Mike are excited to transition into their new roles.

Mike Vargas, DH2 Transportation COO
“Nancy will be leading our company and her passion for our industry will make a great impact to the future of DH2 Chauffeured Transportation. When I decided to pass the baton of leadership to Nancy, I’m completely confident that our company is in the best possible hands. I’m extremely proud of the great contribution Nancy has made to evolve our business and she will continue to position DH2 Chauffeured Transportation with continued growth” says Mike Vargas.

“I am thrilled to take on this new role as CEO and together with my lifetime partner, Mike Vargas, we will focus on strengthening our company and provide excellent service to our clients and affiliates. I’m eager to take on this new role and lead the future of our company” says Nancy Vargas.

Visit dh2limo.com for more information.

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