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GCLA’s new regional series is currently scheduled as follows:
Monday, June 13: San Diego Livery Meeting at Maderas Country Club
Wednesday, June 22: San Fernando Valley Livery Meeting at Music Express
Wednesday, June 29: Sacramento Livery Meeting at API Global ($20)
Tuesday, July 12: Orange County Livery Meeting at Classique Limousine
Wednesday, July 13: San Francisco Livery Meeting at Embassy Suites SFO
Wednesday, July 20: Inland Empire Livery Meeting (location and cost TBD)
Monday, July 25: Los Angeles Livery Meeting at 4 Points Sheraton West LA
According to GCLA President Kevin Illingworth of Classique Limousine, the payoff is a many-pronged one: education through expert advice, networking opportunities, as well as dinner and prizes to operators across the state—and, on a few occasions, right at members’ facilities.
“We’ll be going to different locations, focusing on getting people more involved, and seeing what a small operator’s company looks like versus a large company to get more people inspired by how a small operator runs his company,” he said. “I think having it at a location like Music Express will give people a better feel for how a large company works, too—they can actually reach out and touch something that they haven’t been able to access in that way before, to see the location, what they do, and how they got to where they are.”
With education being at the forefront of the series’ mission, Illingworth said that it’s time for GCLA to start steering the conversation away from how TNCs are affecting chauffeured transportation and instead initiating conversations about how operators can begin improving the industry themselves, beginning with their own companies.
“We’re trying to stay away from the doom and gloom of discussing TNC,” he explained. “Now we’re speaking about how you can make yourself a better company and a better operator.”
The kick-off meeting in San Diego will set the series’ tone with an hour of networking, followed by two presentations: California Highway Patrol’s Bus and Limousine Safety Inspector Lenonel Ramirez will discuss new laws and regulations, while San Diego Airport’s Director of Ground Transportation David Boenitz will provide insights into airport permits and transponders, expansion plans, livery operators’ parking and staging areas, and future terminal and airline changes. The event will end with dinner and additional opportunities for networking.
Illingworth credits GCLA Executive Director Tom Garrett and management company Garrett & Associates for making this series a reality.
“Garrett & Associations is doing a great job, and Tom is basically running this whole thing,” he said.
Due to space limitations, GCLA is asking all interested attendees to RSVP to each event by emailing Garrett at tom@gcla.org.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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President Dianne Cavendar of DDG Classic Limousine opened the meeting with introductions and some housekeeping items before turning the floor over to Doug Pooley of Colorado Limousine and Jody Cowen of Carey Denver. Pooley, who also has a legal background, and Cowan had some good news to share with those in attendance: With Pooley acting as Cowan’s attorney, they successfully fought to eliminate the Denver herdic laws that have been plaguing operators for years.
Denver’s herdic laws—borrowing a name for 19th-century carriages—are municipal ordinances that mandate all for-hire vehicles operating within the city have a herdic license, which Pooley is not alone in finding outdated and unnecessary.
“It’s more of a revenue-producing measure because they give you a Mickey Mouse test that virtually anybody can pass, but the more onerous part of it is that they charge you about $100 to get the license, plus a $50 issuing fee, plus you or your company have to pay a Denver Occupational Head Tax for however long a driver can claim they have been driving for them, so it’s really a Catch-22 measure rather than a safety measure,” Pooley said. “But it’s been declared unconstitutional by the court.”
Their efforts began by fighting two tickets issued for being in violation of the herdic laws at the county-court level, arguing that the laws violate an operator’s constitutional rights. The county court denied the motion to dismiss twice and found both ticketed drivers guilty; an appeal filed to the Denver District Court took almost a year to reach its final ruling, which came through on May 13. The laws were then declared not only unconstitutional but also unenforceable.
“We argued the unconstitutionality issue on the basis that Colorado Constitution said that a local ordinance can be effective if it only deals with local issues and doesn’t affect statewide issues,” Pooley said. “In short, state law trumps the local ordinance. So the court basically ruled that state laws dealing with chauffeured transportation and commercial transportation are so paramount that a local ordinance will not stand.”
While the district court’s ruling is immediately effective, the city of Denver has a 30-day period to file an appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court, which is a possibility.
The meeting also included presentations by and updates from guest speakers Denver International Airport’s Manager of Ground Transportation Mike Percy, Rocky Ahmann of Limo Anywhere, and Jim Luff of Chosen Payments, whose drawing left Marco Contreras of A Advantage Limousine $100 richer.
The next CLA membership meeting will be held July 12.
Visit cololimo.org for more information.
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In his new role with AFC/ECHO, Sellers is responsible for the day-to-day supervision and management of the organization’s in-house safety department, including oversight for all safety compliance and training including driver training, as well as ongoing development and implementation of best-in-class safety initiatives. He will also serve as liaison to the DOT, CVE, DOD, and state legislators, and will represent AFC/ECHO on applicable boards and committees within the industry.
“Ken is uniquely qualified to lead the safety program within our organization,” said Chris Jarrard, president, TBL Group. His background and depth of industry experience are second to none.”
Sellers joins AFC/CHO from his most recent position as DOT compliance manager for Dialog Wireline Services, where he was responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring and, auditing all DOT programs to ensure compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and state laws.
As a driving force and advocate within the safety and law enforcement sector since 1973, Sellers is a recognized expert and educator who holds a multitude of advanced and master certifications that have been accrued throughout a safety-focused career that has spanned over four decades. He routinely provides expert testimony, is a leader in safety education, and has designed several courses that are currently taught throughout the United States. Sellers is also a former Texas Highway Patrol Trooper and is an active participant in many local and national associations.
“We are exceptionally fortunate in successfully recruiting this well-respected, seasoned professional and his addition to our executive team rounds out our commitment to retaining the industry’s best talent,” added John Ferrari, CEO, TBL Group.
Visit afchouston.com or echotransportation.com for more information.
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