CTANJ Executive Board with Executive Director Patricia Nelson (center)
On March 24, the Chauffeured Transportation Association of New Jersey (CTANJ) held its 2026 kick-off meeting. Sponsored by Grech Motors, the lunchtime event welcomed members and guests from throughout the tri-state area, including CD Publisher (and member of the CTANJ Board) Chris Weiss and Editor Rob Smentek.
In addition to offering the latest association news and roundtable-based educational programming, the meeting honored Executive Director Patty Nelson, who is retiring effective March 31 after a 12-year stint in the role. The entire CTANJ Board acknowledged Nelson’s hard work over the years, with President Mike Rose of My Limousine Service calling her the “unsung hero of the association.” Past board member Pete Corelli presented Nelson with an award and remarked that she always got it done, regardless of the challenge.
CTANJ Secretary Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, Billy Placier of Commonwealth Worldwide, CD President/CTANJ Director Chris Weiss, and Navinj Kalra of Executive Luxury Sedan
After being invited to speak to the attendees, Nelson thanked the board for the acknowledgment and said, “There’s something about this industry that will not let you go. Thank you for the wonderful ride.”
Nelson's successor is Patricia “Pattie” Cowley, owner and president of PC Management Services, who will take the helm immediately on April 1.
After a buffet lunch, Rose welcomed members and asked CTANJ lobbyist Sam Weinstein of Princeton Public Affairs Group to provide a few legislative updates. In his 18 months as the association’s lobbyist, Weinstein says that they’re making tremendous headway in the fight against unlicensed and illegal operators. A recent bill (A1552), sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Inganamort, has been introduced that seeks to increase penalties and impoundment for certain limousine law violations.
CTANJ members participated in roundtable discussion about insurance and safety matters
“We recognize that this is a public safety issue,” said Weinstein.
Furthermore, the lobbyist shared that CTANJ has had productive meetings with the NJ Port Authority’s Division of Insurance Fraud and Prevention to enlighten them on the unlicensed operator issue. Weinstein said that the discussion opened the Port Authority’s eyes and raised concerns.
Before concluding, Weinstein revealed that CTANJ is working with bus operators, trucking associations, paratransit companies, as well as the TNCs to form an insurance coalition to address the astronomical insurance rates faced by ground transportation companies.
L to R: Steve Edelmann of Cabot Coach Builders, CTANJ Treasurer Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet, President Mike Rose of My Limousine Service, Executive Director Patricia Nelson, Eric Coolbaugh of Advantage Remarketing Solutions, Secretary Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, and CD President/CTANJ Director Chris Weiss
Rose then took the spotlight to provide CTANJ updates. He stated that the legislative committee has been particularly busy and is seeing “positive traction” with the limousine bill under review. He also shared that the Port Authority is raising airport trip fees to $3.50 a ride, and strongly encouraged operators to renew their privilege permits. Rose also discussed the well-attended Association Summit at the 2026 CD/NLA Show in Vegas and said that the meeting sparked many of the “asks” for this year’s NLA Day on the Hill on April 14-15.
Also at the meeting, the CTANJ Board of Directors ratified their elections for 2026. Returning to the officer positions are:
President: Mike Rose of My Limousine Service
1st Vice President: Joe Gulino of Gem Worldwide
2nd Vice President: Jeffrey Cartagena of Leros Transportation Group
Secretary: Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide
Treasurer: Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales
PAC Chair: Jason Sharenow
L to R: CTANJ 2nd Vice President Jeffrey Cartegena of Leros Transportation Group, CD Editor Rob Smentek, and Same Weinstein of Princeton Public Affairs Group 
CTANJ Lobbyist Sam Weinstein of Princeton Public Affairs Group
Board of Directors: Anthony Azara of Avalon Chauffeured Services, James Blain of PAX Training, Chris Bockus of Dav El/BostonCoach, Gary Dersarkissian of The Good Life Transportation, Sam Emam of Special 1 Media, Jay Erlich of Europe Limousine Service, Ray Gallagher of RMA Worldwide, Mike Marroccoli of EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, John Maziarz of Arrive in Style, Jason Messinger of BBZ Limousine & Livery Service, Mohamed Osman of Fleetwood Limousine Worldwide, Tim Rose of Dolphin Transportation Specialists, Josh Schneeweiss of Advanced Limousine & Worldwide Car Service, David Seelinger of EmpireCLS Worldwide, Nancy Vargas of DH2 Transportation, Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, and Randall Willms of Minuteman Limousine and Car Service.
CD President Chris Weiss (left) and CTANJ President Mike Rose of My Limousine Service
Following the election results, education was the name of the game, in the form of informational roundtables. CTANJ welcomed guests from around the country to moderate discussions on insurance and safety related topics. Taking part in the event were Tom Holden of Transportation Advisors, Jeff Schmidt of Research Underwriters, Mike Marroccoli of EPIC Insurance Brokers, Jon Galgano and Vinny DeFrancesco of Samsara, and James Blain of PAX Training. Members periodically alternated between moderated tables to review building a safety culture, understanding loss trends and mitigation, understanding current insurance market trends, technology for safety, and safety as a competitive advantage. Talk was lively and engaging, with several discussions continuing after the meeting was adjourned.
The next CTANJ event is their annual dinner auction to be held May 19 at Il Tulipano in Cedar Grove. Once again, a portion of the collected proceeds will go to Make-A-Wish of New Jersey. Rose encouraged members to donate items for the evening’s auction.
Visit ctanj.org for more information.
[03.26.26]
