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Joining the Board of Directors for a three-year term are:
- Luke Busskohl, COO, Arrow Stage Lines in Omaha, Neb.
- Scott Henry, Chairman, Martz Group/Martz Trailways in Wilkes Barre, Pa.
- Jodi Merritt, President, H & L Charter Company in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
- Michelle Wiltgen, Assistant Vice President & National Marketing Manager, National Interstate Insurance in Lake Worth, Fla.
Also joining the Board of Directors for a one-year term is:
- Al Hutchinson, President & CEO, Visit Baltimore in Baltimore, Md.
The ABA Board also thanked retiring board members for their service to ABA. Those members were:
- Chris Anzuoni, Vice President, Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Company in Plymouth, Mass.
- Steve Haddad, Bieber Transportation Group in Kutztown, Pa.
- Linda Spruill, Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss.
Visit buses.org and marketplace.buses.org for more information.
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The association held its last 2019 meeting December 2 in St. Paul, where President Gus Ortis of Executive Transportation discussed a new dues structure for 2020, welcomed four new members, and introduced an array of guest speakers.
Steve Holes of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) passed around updates on construction for Highway 5. He reported that rates will increase for commercial vehicles by 3.45 percent to $3.47/trip, and that both TNCs and hotel transportation will be moving to the taxi area, nothing that there are 22,000 TNC licenses at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Marcell Walker, Supervisor for State Programs at MnDOT, reported that rulemaking will be a two-year effort, and they have completed 60 percent of the limousine industry audits, while Jennifer Breitinger of the Minnesota Governmental Relations Council spoke about various insurance issues and gave a brief legislative update. Breitinger answered questions about uninsured vehicles, existing limits, minimum level increases, and Performance-based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP).
At the December meeting, members unanimously voted for the 2020 MCTA Board of Directors to remain the same. They are once again:
President: Gus Ortis of Executive Transportation
Vice President: Bernie Fautch of Eclipse Global Transportation
Secretary: Chad Peterson of Renee’s Limousines
“Congratulations to our 2020 MCTA Board of Directors, and thank you for your continued service,” Ortis said. “As members together, we make the MCTA strong. Thank you for trusting me to lead in this role and feel free to reach out to me anytime.”
Earlier this month, MCTA accepted an associate membership from the neighboring Wisconsin Limousine Association, facilitating an increased exchange of information between the two associations to the benefit of operators and vendors serving both Midwestern states.
The January 19 holiday party will be association’s next event; the MCTA invites all members and their guests to enjoy an evening of food, drinks, entertainment and a short program at Kieran’s Irish Pub. Those interested in attending can RSVP to MCTA staff member Leslie Rosedahl at leslie@rosedahlpublicaffairs.com.
Visit mnlimo.org for more information.
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Warren, Mich. — Aristocat Transportation has transferred ownership after 33 years of business. Founded in 1987 by Sue Jarvis-Zobel, she has passed the torch to Harvin Kumar and his wife Indu Kumar.
Harvin and Indu Kumar decided to purchase the company as an investment in their children’s future. Both from India, they came to the U.S. with barely a penny to their name; through hard work they have achieved success and are a true example of the “American Dream.” Both now U.S. citizens, they enter this venture as business partners, with Indu being the majority stock owner, maintaining Aristocat’s status as a woman-owned business.
Harvin, also known as “Happy,” began working for Aristocat three years ago as a chauffeur. During his time at the company, he saw an incredible team and infrastructure. When Jarvis-Zobel expressed the desire to sell her stock in the business, he and his wife saw their great opportunity to step up.
Happy’s journey to this point is an inspirational one. He was born in India and, in 1994, began working in a restaurant in New York City. With no money and no knowledge of the English language, a year later Happy decided to search for new opportunities in Detroit.
After arriving in Michigan, Happy quickly found work as a taxi driver at the Metro Detroit Airport, which was his entrance into the transportation industry. It allowed him to learn the rules of the road while also practicing his English with passenegrs. He continued to drive taxis for five more years.
Fueled by the same entrepreneurial spirit that led him to Aristocat, Happy started his own venture and founded RS Limousine in 2000. He did not find luck with his timing though, and after the attacks of September 11, 2001 air travel suffered, and so did his business. In 2002 he had to close the business and found himself back on the road—this time driving trucks across the country. His extensive transportation experience and the consistent nature of the business kept him in that position for more than a decade.
But Happy missed the personal touch and human connection, and decided to explore returning to chauffeured transportation. While searching for opportunities, Happy found an opening at Aristocat and started working as a chauffeur in September 2016.
As a previous business owner, chauffeur, and truck driver, Happy understands the level of service expected by clients. He also understands the needs and lives of his drivers. He will focus on both sides of the service going forward, allowing him to provide flawless execution and a personalized touch.
Indu compliments the operational experience Happy brings, and will be adding value in the office working to provide excellent customer service. They are both focused on working with the Aristocat team to bring the company to the next level.
Aristocat Transportation will continue to be a global force, providing corporate airport transfers and private car service for clients worldwide. Happy and Indu look forward to getting to know their clients and growing the family business.
Visit aristocattransportation.com for more information.
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