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Events Coordinator Alyssa Penecale Marlton, N.J. — Chauffeur Driven is pleased to announce two new additions to our rapidly growing team. Alyssa Penecale joins us as Events Coordinator while Jeff Rafkin comes aboard as our new Business Development Manager.
In her role, Penecale will work side-by-side with Director of Events Jess Pavlow in the planning of all of the CD/NLA shows and events as well as the annual Executive Retreat. She says her love of the hospitality industry stems from growing up in her grandparents’ restaurant in the Philadelphia suburbs. While new to the luxury ground transportation industry, she has extensive experience in events management. Prior to joining the CD team, Penecale worked in the tech industry where she planned conventions, exhibitions, and trade shows from coast to coast. She also spent time in Puerto Rico where she spearheaded workshops and tech, startup, and entrepreneurial events.
“I am really glad to be part of this exciting industry," says Penecale. “I am eager to work with the NLA to produce the shows in Boston and Las Vegas. They’re sure to be exciting events.”
Penecale loves to cook, and is a fan of soccer and all of the Philadelphia professional sports teams.
Business Development Manager Jeff Rafkin
Rafkin comes to CD with a background in business development and strategic planning. In his new position, he will act as the point person for CD’s sales and business development initiatives both in print and online.
While also new to the industry, Rafkin is a highly experienced business development professional. For the past several years, he ran his own business where he provided strategic planning for a range of companies with an emphasis on healthcare and/or the service arena. His background also includes numerous trade shows where he participated as a rep for various companies to promote services to new and existing clients.
“I found that interacting with other companies in this capacity also gave me a keen insight as to the competition’s strengths and weakness,” he says. “I learned the importance of name recognition and the significance of maintaining a personal dialogue with existing clients.”
Rafkin is glad to be part of a team again, and looks forward to meeting with the many operators and vendors in Boston at the CD/NLA Show as well as other related trade shows and regional association meetings.
When not in the office, Rafkin actively studies martial arts as a student and an instructor, and is active in the extracurricular activities of his two teenage children.
Visit chauffeurdriven.com for more information.
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Larry Henderson Jr. Manager, Fleet Operations Sandy Springs, Ga. — Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has recently announced that it has named Larry Henderson Jr. as manager, fleet operations. The longtime MBUSA team member has been with the organization for almost 18 years in various capacities, most recently as head of fleet operations for commercial vans. In his new position, Henderson will be working closely with livery and limousine operators around the country.
“When I was in the commercial van division, I had an opportunity to work with a ton of upfitters and body builders who were building on the Sprinter chassis, so I participated in various events geared toward limo and livery customers,” says Henderson. “During the past four months, I’ve transitioned into the Passenger Car Fleet Department, where I’m heading up the new strategy and direction. We have put together a strategy, which has been communicated to executive management and now we are ready for the next phase of executing the strategy.”
Our strategy includes a “laser focus” on several market segments, with limousine and livery being the primary emphasis. As several of Mercedes-Benz’s competitors are getting away from the sedan side of the business, Henderson says operators can look forward to Mercedes having a bigger presence in the chauffeured transportation space.
“Operators should be excited about a new program which we’re looking at pre-paid maintenance (PPM) as well as substantial incentive offerings to operators,” he says. “We’re also looking at maintaining a small pool of vehicles for livery companies, so if an operator decides they need an E-Class or S-Class, the order-to-delivery timeframe is shortened. We’re looking to change the way we do business with operators by reducing their wait time for our products.”
Also, Henderson says that operators should look forward to the new S-Class redesign for model year 2021 as well as a hybrid S-Class, with a range beneficial for luxury ground transportation operators. He is also looking forward to attending the Chauffeur Driven Show in Boston this October 13-16.
“I’m excited. It’ll be my first time at a Chauffeur Driven event. We’ll have a booth on the show floor with an E-Class, S-Class, and a Sprinter 15-passenger van. We’ll have a nice presence in Boston.”
Visit www.fleet.mbusa.com for more information.
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LANJ President Jason Sharenow (third from left) presents $5,000 to representatives of the Police Unity Tour at last year’s 2nd Annual LANJ Golf Outing
Skillman, N.J. — The 3rd Annual Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) Golf Outing, which will be held this Monday, September 16, at the Cherry Valley Country Club, is shaping up to be one opportune networking occasion.
Operators and suppliers from throughout New Jersey—as well from numerous locations all across the country—have been registering daily to attend the event. And the event’s organizers have gone to great lengths to ensure that all attendees will have a terrific time meeting up with potential affiliates and networking to nurture new business connections while enjoying some friendly competition.
And, as in the two previous years, attendees will be supporting two worthy charities, as a portion of the day's proceeds will once again fund contributions to Covenant House New Jersey and Police Unity Tour. The former is a nonprofit organizations that shelters homeless youth, while the latter not only memorializes fallen officers but also raises money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. The Police Unity Tour has been a golf tournament beneficiary since the event debuted, and this is the second year that the golf outing will support the Covenant House.
The golf portion of the day begins at 11 a.m. with a “lunch to go,” followed by a shotgun start at noon.
For those who aren’t golfers, arrive at the country club by 5 p.m. and you'll be right on time to join those coming off the golf course for cocktails and a barbecue supper. The evening will offer a casual setting to easily mingle and meet with the day’s many attendees from New Jersey and beyond.
Register by emailing patricia.nelson103@gmail.com. Individual golfers are $195; it’s $780 to register a foursome. Those who simply want to attend the dinner can pay $75. Full payment in advance is required to secure registration for the event.
Participation for golfers includes a round of golf, use of a golf cart, and all fees, including lunch, unlimited beverages while golfing, cocktails, and dinner.
Also included is an invitation to the Affiliate Pre-Party, which will be held Sunday, September 15, at Strawberry's Pub & Pizza in Woodbridge, N.J.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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