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Celebrity Limousine recently welcomed seasoned industry professional Chuck Psotka as its new director of business development and affiliate relations. With an extensive background of providing a high level of professionalism and service for clients, Psotka’s core values align perfectly with Celebrity’s mission of offering chauffeur services with unrivaled attention to detail.
“Given the trends in the industry towards bulk, commoditized transportation and away from personalized, professional service as a means of maintaining long-term client relationships, it’s refreshing to find that Celebrity still practices old-school values and customer service standards that are aligned with my own,” said Psotka. “It is this commonality of focus, in conjunction with my experience, which will enable me to work successfully with the company’s existing team to grow the business and maintain its core values of high quality, professional ground transportation.”
Psotka brings to Celebrity a depth and breadth of experience that is somewhat unique. When he entered the industry in 1974, the factory-built Cadillac Fleetwood 75 limousine was the standard vehicle, town cars were few and far between, and stretches were nearly non-existent. Most recently, Psotka was the Affiliate Manager at CTI Transportation, where he enhanced affiliate relationships supporting the company’s clients.
“Chuck is a very professional and knowledgeable person in the industry,” said Dennis Adams, CEO and founder of Celebrity Limousine. “He has been in the business for over 40 years, and I’ve known him for at least 20. I’m thrilled to now have Chuck as part of the Celebrity team and know that his experience in the industry will serve both our clients and our company well.”
Visit celebritylimo.com for more information.
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Jagiela kicked off the meeting by requesting a moment of silence for the tragic news coming out of Las Vegas that morning, where it was reported that 58 were dead and nearly 500 were wounded.
The day’s speakers included transportation experts and representatives from related industries alike, offering a wide perspective of all the issues operators are facing and information they’re seeking. Glenn Stafford of Love Limousine and Randy Allen of James Limousine both offered a few words as meeting hosts and sponsors before the handing the mics to the meeting’s keynote speakers.
With Allen moderating the keynote panel, meetings and travel expert Kim Bivins of Altria Client Services and sourcing analyst Kelli Moore of Owens & Minor tackled VLA members’ most pressing questions about working with buyers. The Virginia operators asked their guests about the ins and outs of selecting a transportation provider, like purchasing and insurance policies, what influences their decisions in selecting a chauffeured transportation option of choice, what they require from their transportation partners, and if they would like to see on-demand options from traditional chauffeured services.
The panelists did stress a few items for operators to consider during their conversation, with a particular focus on how important duty of care is, the importance of integrating with platforms like Concur for ease of record-keeping, and the ways that TNCs remain a non-option for high-touch travelers who demand accommodations like Wifi in their vehicles and a true chauffeur. They also emphasized how relationships are always crucial to maintain in any professional environment, especially in terms of reciprocal business where all parties need to be in tune with everyone’s needs.
Stafford then delivered a legislative update, reporting that the state’s elected officials are essentially asking operators to tell them what they want and are interesting in leveling the playing field but first need to know what that logistically entails. With new sessions beginning in January 2018, members agree that time is of the essence in terms of providing legislators with VLA members’ input.
Board nominations were submitted and voted on during the meeting, and results were announced during the first official call of the 2018 VLA on October 5. The officers are as follows:
- President: Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation
- Vice-president: William Kerr of Camryn Limousine
- Secretary: Glenn Stafford of Love Limousine
- Treasurer: Randy Allen of James Limousine
- Sergeant of Arms: Zulfi Abassi of American Executive Sedan
The next VLA meeting will be its holiday party December 4.
Visit vla-limo.org for more information.
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Even though she grew up with her father Alan’s company, the eldest of the second-generation Candeubs to work in the business is on the cusp of her fourth year as a full-time employee, and is thrilled that she’s proven herself to the man who’s both her dad and her boss.
“Something that we had discussed since day one is that a title is not just given—it’s earned,” she said. “So when he came to me and said that it’s time for me to have a title, it meant that I’ve made him proud, which obviously makes me feel great. After my brother, my sister, and me, this is my dad’s fourth baby, and the fact that he trusts me with this responsibility means that I’ve made my mark here.”
After not only working to show that she’s not the type to rest on familial laurels but also diligently making a name for herself in her own right, Briana feels that this is further proof of accomplishing both aims.
“I don’t want to be the boss’ daughter to the rest of the company, and I don’t want to be known as Alan’s daughter to the rest of the industry: I want people to know me for me, and know that I have what it takes to succeed. Even though this is a family business, I’m not riding my dad’s coattails. I’m a hard worker, I’m here to grow the company and excel even more.”
Crediting that hard work and dedication in helping to establish her own identity within the chauffeured transportation sector, Briana has also gotten to work in a variety of roles during her time learning the ropes of a legacy business. She will now utilize those sales, customer service, and other necessary skills to keep her father’s business on an upward trajectory—starting with her long-term vision of taking Park Avenue’s current fleet of 50-60 vehicles and ramping it up to the 80-100 vehicle range.
So far, though, her proudest accomplishment is harnessing the best parts of working alongside someone she’s known her entire life to the benefit of the company’s bottom line.
“Both my dad and I together have been growing our sales network and, even more so, our worldwide network,” she says. “That’s something we’ve been working as a team to accomplish since I’ve been on board, and it’s where I’ve seen the biggest improvement in a goal that I’ve had a helping hand in reaching.”
Briana admits that she has not always dreamt of joining the family company. After graduating from Temple University in 2013, she immediately went to work at Philadelphia’s Four Seasons Hotel, where she managed several different departments and learned “invaluable lessons,” especially in regard to providing high-level customer service. But after two years, that path ultimately led her back to where she realized she was meant to be.
“I didn’t wake up one day and realize that I would love to be a limousine operator,” she said. “But I did wake up and realize that I want to be a business owner. I’ve come to love this industry: It’s something new every day, I get to travel, I get to meet so many wonderful people, and I’m using everything in my background to make sure our clients are getting the best service possible.”
And while she will be facing her own challenges as she works her way to the top, Briana is ready to maintain Park Avenue’s reputation after watching her father diligently establish it.
“I’ve seen—and have experienced—the ways hard work pays off,” she said. “I’m ready for what’s next.”
Visit parkavenuelimousine.com for more information.
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