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Lindsey Limousine CEO Michael Lindsey
Hartford, Conn. — While attending Keene State College, Michael Lindsey was a chauffeur by day and a student by night, studying to be a stock broker. However, two weeks after obtaining his license the infamous “Black Monday” October 19, 1987, hit and stock markets around the world crashed.
“You couldn’t sell a mutual fund to your mother,” says Lindsey.
Returning to driving limousines full-time, he asked himself, “Where do I go from here?” The Answer: “I can do this myself and better than the rest.”
Founded in 1989, the Lindsey Limousine began in a 10-x-10 office with a chauffeurs’ quarters in the unfinished basement of a 1925 house converted to an office building. Today, the company is headquartered in an 18,000 sq. ft. State-of-the-Art facility with a second 13,000 sq. ft. building located just 1 mile away. Together, these buildings protect the entire fleet of vehicles indoors—a benefit not many other companies have. Over these 30 years Lindsey Limousine has built a reputation on reliability, a helpful and knowledgeable office staff, true professional chauffeurs, and the confidence continuously instilled in our clients.
In 2008, Lindsey Limousine acquired AirportLIMO.com and expanded operations to include service in over 500 cities worldwide. All reservations are managed at our worldwide headquarters in Windsor, Conn., as clients using this service receive centralized billing for all reservations.
Lindsey Limousine employs over 65 employees with a reservation, dispatch, and account management team that is well-versed and experienced in handling the demands of even the toughest clientele.
“I am proud of each member of our team, from the reservation staff to the chauffeurs. We wouldn’t be the company we are today without their dedication and passion for the industry and our company,” says Lindsey. “And we appreciate those clients who put their trust in us each and every day. I’m looking forward to 30 more years of providing the best in chauffeured car services to our clients.”
Visit lindseylimo.com for more information.
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L to R: Angelo DiMarco Sr., Stephen DiMarco, and Angelo S. DiMarco
Berlin, Conn. — Premier Limousine has been named a 2018 Hartford Business Journal Family Business Awards finalist. The Family Business Awards honor the achievements of the top family-owned companies in Connecticut. Having announced an expansion in services, the addition of new vehicles to its fleet and the implementation of an advanced suite of technologies, Premier Limousine was recognized for its significant growth over the last 12 months.
“Premier Limousine would not be in the position we are now if not for the hard work, passion and dedication of both my family and the amazing team that we are so lucky to have here,” said Premier Limousine CEO Stephen DiMarco. “It’s a privilege to be named a Family Business Awards finalist, and we’re honored to be recognized as one of the leading family-owned companies in our state.”
Founded in 1985 by Stephen DiMarco, Premier Limousine currently employs five members of the DiMarco family. This includes Stephen DiMarco’s son, Angelo DiMarco, who holds the position of president of marketing & IT.
The Family Business Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of Connecticut’s family-owned businesses and tell the story of a select group of the region's most successful firms. In addition to an awards event, winners will be recognized in a special issue of the Hartford Business Journal.
For over 30 years, Premier Limousine’s focus has been to provide chauffeured transportation with an exceptional level of personal service. From friendly support representatives to courteous chauffeurs that work to go above and beyond in offering assistance, Premier Limousine is dedicated to treating every customer like family.
Visit premierlimo.com for more information.
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Matt (left) and Nikko Assolin of Nikko’s Worldwide Chauffeured Services have been named TLPA’s Limousine & Sedan Operator of the Year for 2018Rockville, Md. — What started as a local whim has turned into a national win.
After moving from New York to Houston, Nikko Assolin opened a small limousine company in 1982, a move his son, Matt, said was “sort of on a whim.” But that move paid off—and this month, Nikko’s Worldwide Chauffeured Services will receive the industry’s highest honor, having been named the Limousine & Sedan Operator of the Year by the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA).
The international trade association, the oldest and largest of its kind in the world, will honor both Nikko and Matt, who joined the company in 2008.
The company, now a 50-vehicle operation with fleets in Houston and Austin, is known for its exceptional attention to service and its high-profile clientele. Its customers have included major entertainers, politicians, and sports figures for the past 25 years.
“The Assolin family has built a remarkable company with some of the best customer service in the business, supported by excellent technology,” said TLPA CEO Alfred LaGasse. “Equally exemplary is their commitment to serving our industry through numerous volunteer efforts that help other fleets deliver the very best service.”
There are a lot of moving parts to delivering such service, according to Matt: “We exist in our industry to be in the service of our clients and there are a lot of things that go into that,” he said. “Like making sure we have great employees, making sure we have great vehicles and, in this day and age, making sure we have great technologies in place.”
Father and son will accept their award in front of hundreds of industry professionals on Oct. 28 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The honorees also include Grigory Eskin, the 71-year-old whom TLPA will recognize as 2018’s Limousine & Sedan Chauffeur of the Year.
TLPA has recognized Grigory Eskin as 2018’s Limousine & Sedan Chauffeur of the Year
When Eskin and his wife, Rachel, left Lithuania in 1980, their goal was to give their six-year-old son a better education. Eskin spoke six languages, but not English. He had $316 to his name. But he knew a better future awaited. He worked hard and learned quickly, moving from his first job as a taxi driver to being a chauffeur with Vital Transportation, Inc., of New York City in just three years.
Four decades later, Eskin is still with the same company.
“Vital is my company; it is my family,” Eskin said. “Everything I have in life is because of Vital. If you are a hard-working person and you are willing to get something, you’re always going to get it. My main goal was to give my kids the best education. And I did.”
Berj Haroutunian, president of Vital Transportation, said it is Eskin’s strong work ethic, superb driving record and attention to detail that make him so deserving of the award. He noted that Eskin has even been honored in the past by New York City officials for not receiving a single ticket in a year, a rare achievement in such a congested metropolis.
“Grigory is one of a kind,” Haroutunian said. “I wish everyone was like him.” He notes that Eskin was with the company when it was just a 10-car fleet. It now has over 450 vehicles.
Rounding out this year’s slate of winners are:
- Robert DeLucia of Star Transportation and VETaxi of Pittsburgh: Taxicab Operator of the Year
- Frank Ciccarella of SCR Medical Transportation of Chicago: Paratransit & Contracting Operator of the Year
- Judy Griffin of Checker Cab, Yellow Cab and Blueboird Mobility of Fort Myers: Outstanding Contributor to Women in Transportation (posthumous award)
- Anthony Sims of Checker Cab of Atlanta: Taxicab Driver of the Year
- Myron Hubbard of SCR Medical Transportation of Chicago: Paratransit & Contracting Driver of the Year
TLPA will hold its 100th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas from October 27-29.
Visit tlpa.org for more information.
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