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The meeting kicked off with both internal housekeeping and a few vendor presentations, with Jack Rolfe and Joe Laila of Georgetown Insurance and Brian O’Neill and Steve Mullen of Wolfington Body Company each discussing their respective companies and the services they provide—and offering raffle prizes to a few lucky winners, too.
Barbara Arkwright, who is Head of Enforcement of Passenger Carriers at the Department of Motor Vehicles Department (DMV) and has attended VLA meetings in the past, spoke about the agency’s experience with TNCs. She spoke about how the DMV has looked into numerous complaints about the likes of Uber and Lyft: 240 total inspections, 182 complaints, and 81 violations since April 2016 (in comparison, passenger carriers have seen 131 inspections, 59 complaints, and 114 violations during that same time).
Arkwright also discussed Uber and Wal-Mart working together to arrange deliveries, as well as how some TNCs are in direct violation of current Virginia Legislative Assembly code by attempting to offer pre-arranged services. Toward the end of her presentation, it was acknowledged that few ride-sharing vehicles are displaying the “trade dress” that identifies them, which complicates the process of catching illegal operators.
Virginia FREE President Chris Saxman also addressed the VLA about the importance of persistence. Because of his family-business background, he has personal experience with what it’s like for a small organization to rail against a larger, wealthier operation; additionally, Saxman represented an organization that supports statewide companies of all sizes “to ensure that the General Assembly is receptive and responsive to the interests of free enterprise.”
Saxman went on to emphasize how crucial it is to maintain relationships beyond the industry, especially with local and state legislators—and that coming to their elected officials with a clear, concise message will serve them well in their battle against TNCs. He further advised members who pursue lobbying efforts to draw attention to how the operational nature of TNCs bypasses tax revenue for the state, as they don’t have local bases the way taxi and livery vehicles do.
Jagiela also spoke, both about VLA matters like the association’s new website and its benefits and on behalf of Chauffeur Driven. He raffled off a pass to the 2016 CD Show in Washington, D.C., October 9-12, which was won by John Oulton of Richmond Limousine.
VLA’s next meeting will be August 1 in Charlottesville.
Visit the association’s newly redesigned website at vla-limo.org for more information.
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Michael O’Hare will relinquish the role of chief executive to become TBR’s executive chairman. He will continue to oversee TBR’s IT development and support delivery of key strategic objectives. This will include managing the development of TBR Secure, a product central to the company’s growth within the corporate travel sector.
Craig Chambers has stepped up from managing director, EMEA, to become Group CEO. He will be responsible for driving growth across all regions and ensuring TBR cements itself as a truly global brand within the high-end ground transportation sector.
“With TBR in the middle of an aggressive growth strategy, we feel these changes will ensure the company has the leadership required to meet its strategic objectives,” said O’Hare. “Craig is fundamental to and understands TBR’s DNA. His innovative approach will be invaluable during the next stage of our development.”
Chambers said, “I’m delighted to be taking on such a critical role within the organization and excited to be leading a fantastic business. I’m grateful that the board has put its trust in me to take TBR to the next level on its amazing journey.”
Additionally, TBR has appointed John Kelly as Global Head of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE). Kelly joins the business as it embarks on an aggressive new global growth strategy.
Working closely with regional leaders in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, Kelly will be responsible for MICE strategy and delivering the continued sales growth in TBR’s global operations. He will report to TBR Global Managing Director Craig Chambers.
Kelly joins TBR Global having previously held senior MICE sales and marketing positions at cievents, Melia Hotels, and Zibrant.
O’Hare said, “John joins at a crucial time. The business has grown rapidly over recent years. We are, therefore, focused on consolidating and expanding into existing and new markets, John’s industry expertise and connections will be central to our future success.”
In addition to heading the organization’s global MICE functions, Kelly will work closely with MICE agencies and corporates to develop and integrate TBR proprietary technology.
Visit tbrglobal.com for more information.
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The deal marks the second change of ownership for BioRide in the last 12 months. Founders Jeff and Joey Anderson sold the company last May to Jesse Mobley, who in turn worked the deal to sell to Richmond Limousine owner John Oulton.
While the terms of the BioRide deal are confidential, Oulton said the combined companies are driving toward $2 million in annual sales. Richmond Limousine had about $1.1 million in revenue last year. BioRide did about $500,000 in 2015.
As part of the acquisition, Richmond Limousine takes on the BioRide brand, book of business, two full-time employees—Mobley included—and eight part-time drivers.
The two sides became acquainted by referring business to one another, particularly BioRide farming out work to Richmond Limousine’s mini-buses.
Both companies had reached a point of needing to make investments for growth. BioRide was contemplating making the leap to purchase larger vehicles and Oulton said he was looking for a way to keep Richmond Limousine’s growth trajectory going.
“Our growth for the last seven years has been huge,” Oulton said. “It gets a little harder to keep that same growth rate.”
For BioRide, Oulton said, “They were at the point where they were farming out a considerable amount of work. It was time to look at a major investment in vehicles.”
Added Mobley, “(Oulton’s) got the fleet and the resources that BioRide was looking to get, and he’s proven operationally that he can handle the large passenger equipment and frequency of reservations.”
“Together our revenue and fleet will certainly be one of the biggest in Richmond,” Mobley said. “There should be no reason why we can’t become the biggest (locally based) transportation company shortly.”
The BioRide brand will remain, for now, and be used as a separate brand within Richmond Limousine. Mobley said the goal is to eventually merge the two monikers.
The deal also includes the Virginia Brewery Tours brand, which BioRide acquired last month
Visit richmondvalimousine.com for more information.
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