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“Our coach business has been steadily growing since 2008, and with the integration and acquisition of our nearest competitor more than 3 years ago, we needed to add some depth to position ourselves for our next growth stage,” stated BEST-VIP Founder Robert Vaughan.
Webber is a native of Southern California with over 20 years’ experience in motorcoach transportation. He brings strong industry relationships and impeccable organizational skills to the growing BEST-VIP team.
“I am super excited to be a part of Robert’s Team at BEST-VIP,” said Webber. “Robert, Todd, and their staff have done a great job establishing a culture dedicated to safety, quality, and 100 percent dedication to customer service. The service level here is over the top, and I am confident my clients are going to love the quality of service we provide.”
Yavuz, a native of Istanbul who has been in Southern California for more than 15 years, where he was the director of operations for a large motorcoach company. He prides himself on being efficient while focusing on maximizing fleet utilization and has excellent insight on environments that support over 100 chauffeurs while being extremely familiar with CHP, DOT, and FMCSA regulations
“Safety is the name of this game,” said Yavuz. “I love motorcoaches and working with the drivers, but at BEST-VIP they are not just drivers, they are true chauffeurs. I am excited to work here with what Robert Vaughan has built. I am amazed at how clean they keep every piece of their equipment — I love it!”
Vaughan is excited about the experience and value that Webber and Yavuz are bringing to the BEST-VIP team.
“Brian is already helping us grow the sales side, while Hakan is bringing new safety, efficiency and regulatory experience. Brian and Hakan, combined with our seasoned team, will help us grow naturally and through acquisitions.”
Visit best-vip.com for more information.
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Spending a day in the state capital is a yearly undertaking for the California association, and this year’s event will once again see its members meet with state legislators and their representatives to advocate for the chauffeured ground transportation industry’s most pressing issues.
The itinerary for the lobbying effort is as follows:
Thursday, February 7
10 a.m.: In-person training day
Location: Proud Bird in Los Angeles
Tuesday, February, 12
3 p.m. Check-in at Embassy Suites Riverfront Promenade in Sacramento
5 p.m. Group dinner for all participants
Wednesday, February, 13
8:30 a.m.: Meeting in room #113 at the State Capitol in Sacramento
9 a.m.: Group briefing from Gregg Cook of Government Affairs Consulting
9:30 a.m. to Noon: Presentations and networking with key lawmakers
Noon to 1 p.m.: Lunch at La Bou Cafe and Bakery
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Direct meetings with local legislators
5 p.m.: Recap and discussions
As in previous years, GCLA’s lobbyist Gregg Cook of Government Affairs Consulting is coordinating the event, along with GCLA Director David Kinney of API Global Transportation Group and consultant Mark Stewart of CLI Worldwide Transportation.
Email GCLA Executive Director Tom Garrett at tom@gcla.org to RSVP for both the training day and the Day on the Hill itself.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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During the meeting, FLA President Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service announced exciting news: Legislation is being proposed that would create one statewide permit for luxury ground transportation operators in Florida—as operators currently need to be licensed in each of the state’s 67 counties, this would be a much more efficient move.
According to Versace, operators in every county are bleeding thousands of dollars paying for permits and fines while the likes of Uber and Lyft don’t. In certain areas of the state, companies need to have 11 different permits (and pay the related fees) to operate within the letter of the law. In Miami, a citation for one violation could be upward of $2,000.
“It's not right and it has completely eliminated any values our permits previously had,” he said. “Miami Dade permits that previously went for $30k are now going for $3,000. Business is tough enough: Why should we have to pay for permits and get citations left and right while the TNCs operate with impunity?”
This legislation will create strict guidelines regarding who can operate a luxury ground transportation company—but it will be a single set of guidelines, not conflicting rules determined by every county with a separate fee for every decal. Companies would obtain state authorization to freely operate anywhere in Florida. There will be stiff penalties for companies that do not comply.
As Versace has been meeting with other associations in Florida, their respective leaders and the entire board of directors of the FLA are 100-percent committed to getting this legislation passed. It will not be easy and it will not be cheap.
“We need your financial support,” Versace said. FLA members can renew their membership and make a contribution today at the FLA website, floridalimousine.com. “You can pay your county $250 to renew one car or you can contribute $250 to the FLA and never have to pay for another permit.”
The next FLA meeting will be March 23 in Las Vegas.
Visit floridalimousine.com for more information.
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