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PRLA’s 2019 board is:
President: Johnny Donohoe of Sterling Limousine
Vice President: Tony Viscusi of Global Limousine
Treasurer: Bob Euler Jr of Kings Limousine
Secretary: Tracy Salinger of Unique Limousine
Directors: Michael Barreto of Eagle Chauffeured Services and Jordan Sanders of Hollowsands Luxury Limousine
Vendor Director: John Arone of HUB International
Donohoe said that he is committed to infusing more education, more unity, and more forward-thinking into an association that he feels could use a little optimism after 2018 saw a number of near-wins at the legislative level unravel at the 11th hour. He believes that taking some inspiration from the TNC playbook is just the way to stage a comeback.
“Every good operator has embraced the technology that TNCs forced us to utilize per our customers’ demands—and, for as much as we all complain about Uber and Lyft, they have increased our chauffeur pools,” he said. “Maybe one out of 20 applicants that comes to us from driving for a TNC is qualified to become a chauffeur, but the interest in there for those who want to make this a career.”
The PRLA already secured an augmented educational component for its first meeting of 2019, as Katharine Batista from the law firm Offit Kurman spoke about the timely topic of labor-law with her presentation Payday: Hot Wage Payment Issues in the Chauffeurs For-Hire Industry during the association’s January 9 meeting at the Philadelphia Airport’s Holiday Inn Express.
The next PRLA meeting will be March 13.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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The first delivery includes two 2019 MCI J4500 coaches with 60-passenger seating capacity, wheelchair lifts, enhanced sound systems, and an on board lavatory. The other four coaches are 2019 D4505 coaches in the 63-passenger seating configuration with one wheelchair lift. All vehicles are equipped the Cummins/Allison B500 powertrain. Royal Star uses the J4500 for its deluxe gold service and the D4505 to offer "smart money” silver service to provide choice to all Hawaii market segments. The gold and silver service is distinguished through the distinctively different interior and exterior coach colors, including its custom Amaya seats, made-to-order fabric selections, as well as driver uniforms; for its gold service, they offer guaranteed lavatory on board, mints, and hand towels.
As a subsidiary of Stars of Paradise Tours & Attractions, Royal Star is the leading transportation provider to its parent’s popular tour and entertainment venues including the Star of Honolulu, a 1,500-passenger excursion and sunset dinner cruise vessel, far and away the leader in the Hawaii cruise industry.
“We serve global tourism markets on Oahu with a fleet utilized around the clock,” explains Ron Howard, president. “We’ve worked with MCI for more than 20 years because they have a focus on comfort, reliability, and service equal to ours. From our first motorcoach to now over 45 coaches in our fleet, MCI has been an important key in our quality of service and phenomenal growth since 1996.”
Royal Star has recently constructed a modern $2 million maintenance facility at its new Honolulu complex, where MCI provides expert technical assistance and training, keeping Royal Star’s maintenance technicians up-to-date to meet Royal Star’s safety and reliability goals.
“At MCI, we’re lucky to have many customers whose brands are synonymous with the territories we serve,” said Patricia Ziska, MCI vice president of sales. “Royal Star is an affiliate of one of America’s most innovative tourism companies, and MCI is proud to have our coaches be a part of their tour experience.”
Known for its Aloha on Wheels slogan, Royal Star has served Hawaii since 1996 from its headquarters in Honolulu. It claims many firsts, including the state’s first 100-percent seat-belted fleet, 100-percent drive cam fleet, wheelchair lift services, and guaranteed equipment booking by category with 1 hour minimums and clear pricing.
Visit mcicoach.com or royalstarhawaii.com for more information.
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Presented by the Inova Loudoun Hospital Foundation at the organization’s holiday party on December 6, the award honors a volunteer who has dedicated their time and resources to impact philanthropy at the hospital and in turn improve lives by making our community hospital the best it can be.
The award was inspired by the spirals that formed the staircase in the original hospital located on Market Street in Leesburg. The award also reflects the spirals of DNA’s double helix—the common strain of binds humanity together.
“Kristina is the perfect recipient of the Golden Helix award—it’s about bringing people together to touch the lives of others. Kristina is someone who is so sincere in everything she does, leading others to be inspired to join her,” said Edward Puccio, medical director for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Inova Loudoun Hospital.
As a member of the Inova Loudoun Hospital Foundation board of trustees, Bouweiri has organized charitable events that have raised $50,000 and connected philanthropists such as Sharon Virts Miller and Scot Miller of the Virts Miller Foundation with the hospital organization.
“There are two things about Kristina Bouweiri that everyone needs to know. First, there’s not a person in the Washington DC area that she doesn’t know. And secondly, there’s no one with a bigger heart,” said Virts Miller, who also is an Inova Loudoun Hospital Foundation trustee.
“I really see Kristina as a connector. There have been so many people that I’ve met as a result of my relationship with her – and she does it so naturally. So I really appreciate everything she’s done for us, that she continues to do for us, and what she does for this community,” said Deborah Addo, CEO of Inova Loudoun Hospital.
Visit restonlimo.com for more information.
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