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L to R: NELA President Jason Dornhoffer of United Private Car, Katie Martinez of Chosen Payments, John Oulton of Richmond Limousine, Carl Restivo of Access Commercial Capital, and Ned Johnson of Grech Motors
Massachusetts — This month, the New England Livery Association (NELA) convened for not only its quarterly meeting on June 11 but also its annual Chauffeur Appreciation Day June 13.
Nearly 60 guests came out for the membership meeting at perennial favorite Spinelli’s in Lynnfield, Mass., which featured an incredible view of Suntaug Lake, as well as a chance to get up close and personal with two Don Brown Bus Sales-supplied Starfleet coaches while enjoying a networking cocktail hour and sit-down dinner.
Then NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi kicked the meeting off by welcoming all in attendance, thanking the evening’s many sponsors, and announcing the results of the board election:
President: Jason Dornhoffer of United Private Car
1st Vice President: Joe Cardillo of AOT Global
2nd Vice President: Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine Service
Treasurer: Teale Smith of Maine Limousine Service
Secretary: Joe Puleo of Dav El/BostonCoach
Directors: Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation, Mark Kini of Boston Chauffeur, Tami Saccoccio of Commonwealth Worldwide, Andrew Tighe of Addison Lee (Tristar Division), and Charles Wisniewski of Teddy’s Transportation System
Vendor Directors: Stephen G. Crispo of Research Underwriters and Bob Moody of Acton/SoCal Penske Professional Vehicles
L to R: NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi, Director Brett Barenholtz, and 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine Service
“We’re very happy: NELA, like other membership boards across the country in lots of industries, has had open seats for years. But this time around, we filled five seats—and we’re really excited that we’re filling those seats,” Szilagyi said.
Szilagyi also provided an update on the Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Fund (TIEF) that NELA helped usher into Massachusetts legislature in August 2016, which “essentially creates a nickel from every TNC run in the state—and it amounts to a lot of nickels.”
“Each of those nickels goes into a fund that is going to assist the taxi and livery industry,” he explained. “It results in about $3M a year for five years: Assuming TNC activity doesn’t decrease, we’re talking at least $15M over those five years. Brett Barenholz and Mike Campbell, as representatives of the NLA board of directors, also spoke about it—Brett, of course, has been a big part of our Massachusetts legislative efforts over the past five years.”
Tina Benson helps serve up lunch for Chauffeur Appreciation Day
NELA currently has two bills pending this legislative session, one regarding fingerprinting and one on drug testing for TNC drivers. Szilagyi reported that he is “told positive things from insiders.”
Guest speakers included John Boit of The Transportation Alliance (formerly the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association), who discussed what the association is doing for luxury ground transportation operators, and featured speaker Ken Cheo of Our Sales Coach, who provided the evening’s education by talking about sales and lead generation in a workshop that encouraged attendees to rely more on existing relationships than cold-calling strangers for truly effective sales.
The meeting ended with a variety of raffles, which included Charles Boute of Elite Livery Services winning a pass to the Chauffeur Driven Show in Boston this October 13-16.
Just two days later, the rainy, chilly conditions was no match for NELA volunteers and the 19th annual Chauffeur Appreciation Day at Logan International Airport. Association members and board officers alike transformed the Boston airport’s Limo Pool into a backyard cookout where chefs and servers prepared hundreds of free burgers, hot dogs, sausages, and veggie burgers for hungry chauffeurs.
L to R: Jason Dornhoffer, Britt Kirk of All Points Limousine, and NELA Director Mark Kini of Boston Chauffeur were among those who volunteered at this year’s Chauffeur Appreciation Day
The day also includes raffles, entertainment, and plenty of good company.
“People always have a great time,” Szilagyi said. “This year, it was in the upper 50s with so much wind that the rain going sideways. We were wringing wet and cold—but still laughing and having a good time.”
Szilagyi added that the event is absolutely a group effort, but that NELA 2nd Vice President Tina Benson always goes above and beyond to make the day memorable.
“People don’t realize all Tina does for this event with her brother Karl, who isn’t even a part of the industry,” he explained. “A few years ago, they built “a storefront” to use at this event. She hauls that down, fills up a van of sausage, peppers, onions, hot dogs, and hamburgers, and brings a trailer behind it with a grill. And then they cook all day long. They never stop. She deserves tons of credit.”
Next up for NELA is its annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament Date, which will be held August 6 at Massachusetts’ Marlborough Country Club. The association’s next meeting will be September 10.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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L to R: John Murphey of Black Steel Transportation, Jordan Sanders of Hollowsands Luxury Limousine, NLA Board Member Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide Transportation, Mary Onstead of Compass Limousine, Bill Faeth of Limo University, Eric Alimena of Alimena Limousine & Worldwide Transportation, NLA First Vice President Douglas Schwartz of Executive Limousine, Paul Kovie of Sunshine Limousine & Sedan Service, Kirk Bagger of Captains Car Service, and Steven Dial of Your Personal Driver
Marlton, N.J. —The National Limousine Association (NLA) and Chauffeur Driven are proud to announce an alliance with Limo University founder Bill Faeth.
Faeth will work alongside the NLA to develop member-only content geared toward operators with 19 vehicles or fewer. “No Operator Left Behind”—the brainchild of Faeth—is a multi-pronged initiative that aims to arm small operators with the education and support they need to thrive, while connecting them with larger NLA member operators who can offer guidance. The exclusive content will be available with an NLA membership, and is expected to launch this summer.
Faeth’s initiative complements one of NLA President Gary Buffo’s long-term goals to bolster small operators and to make NLA Board members more accessible to the membership.
“Since 2015 when I started Limo University I have had one mission and that is to help small and midsize operators grow profitable businesses. The alliance with the NLA/CD is a natural progression to have a greater impact industrywide,” says Faeth.
Content will be delivered through podcasts with a closed Facebook group so operators can continue the conversation. Although Faeth and the NLA will initially spearhead topics, Faeth says that he expects many more will be curated through group discussions. The sessions will become part of an extensive library available to NLA members in good standing.
Faeth, a former industry operator based in Nashville, has helped hundreds of companies both navigate changing times and increase profitability since 2015 through Limo University and its various programs.
“This partnership and No Operator Left Behind initiative will help our members grow, market, and protect their businesses. This is perhaps the best member benefit the NLA has developed since I became a member in 1996,” says Buffo. To further strengthen the voice of the small operator, he adds that the NLA Board will be tasked with creating a small operator seat on the Board during the next bylaws revision.
Additionally, Faeth will host sessions dedicated to the smaller operators at the upcoming CD/NLA Shows, starting this October 13-16 in Boston. For more information about Limo University, visit limogrowth.com.
Additionally, the NLA has finalized the officers of its executive board, as well as the chairs of various committees.
NLA President Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation
NLA 1st Vice President Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine
NLA 2nd Vice President Joe Ironi of Global Alliance Worldwide
NLA Treasurer Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide
NLA Secretary Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation
The officers of the NLA executive board are:
Chair/President: Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation
1st Vice President: Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine
2nd Vice President: Joe Ironi of Global Alliance Worldwide
Treasurer: Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide
Secretary: Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation
The committee chairs are as follows:
Bylaws
Diane Forgy of Overland Chauffeured Services
Laura Canady of SC Express
Charity Fundraising
Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide
Sarah McKee of Chosen Payments
Tami Saccoccio of Commonwealth Worldwide
Congress of Association Leaders
Jeff Greene of Greene Worldwide Transportation
Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine
Finance
Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide
International
Michael Oldenburg of United Limousines AG
Joe Ironi of Global Alliance Worldwide
Legislative
Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide
Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation
Management/Show Partnership Oversight
Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide
Joe Ironi of Global Alliance Worldwide
Membership
Diane Forgy of Overland Chauffeured Services
Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine
Nominating
Jeff Greene of Greene Worldwide Transportation
Don Mahnke of ABC Worldwide Transportation
Political Action
Don Mahnke of ABC Worldwide Transportation
Dawson Rutter of Commonwealth Worldwide
Public Relations
Jason Kaplan of The Driver Provider
Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine
Scholarship
Kevin Illingworth of Classique Limousine Worldwide
Erich Reindl of Avanti Transportation
Show Education
Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide
Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine & Bus
Small Operators
Kevin Illingworth of Classique Limousine Worldwide
Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine
Sponsorship
Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation
Jason Kaplan of The Driver Provider
Technology & Social Media
Michael Campbell of Grace Limousine
Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine
Women's Leadership Council
Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine & Bus
Nancy Vargas of DH2 Chauffeured Transportation
Visit limo.org for more information.
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Premier Limousine General Manager Angelo DiMarco
Berlin, Conn. — Luxury ground transportation provider Premier Limousine recently announced the promotion of Angelo DiMarco to general manager.
The son of Premier Limousine’s CEO and founder, Steven DiMarco, Angelo has become increasingly involved in the company throughout recent years as he prepared to take a more active executive role. According to DiMarco, his managerial style will mirror the dedication and hard work he has seen from his family:
“Premier Limousine has been a regional leader over the past 35 years, and that’s just the beginning. I’ve watched my father grow this company into the trailblazer that it is, and I intend to help honor that long family tradition going forward by continuing to ensure Premier Limo’s reputation as the most luxurious, professional, and safe transportation service on the market.”
DiMarco is committed to joining the National Limo Association (NLA) and added, “This organization is the nation’s leading trade group for limousine service. It is important our company bolsters the transportation industry through involvement with the NLA organization. I intend to get personally involved with this group to help our company and our industry.”
Additionally, he wants to adopt and implement more technology into the daily operations of the company to help increase efficiency and overall service levels to customers.
DiMarco’s promotion comes at a pivotal point in the growth of the company, which now employs over 200 individuals and includes a fleet of 70 vehicles. As the number of companies using Premier Limousine’s services continues to grow, the company is hopeful that the influence of DiMarco will be integral to its future growth and success.
Visit premierlimo.com for more information.
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