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Thomas "Tom" Harrison Smith (1946-2018)Long-time industry fixture Tom Smith passed away on February 16. Smith was the owner of Prime Transportation, a Washington, D.C.-based company that he founded in 1983. At the time of his passing , he was a resident of Fort Washington, Md.
"[Tom] was a long time member of our association and event when his health slowed him down, he made an effort to attend our meetings along with national trade shows,” said Virginia Limousine Association President Paul Walsh. "Tom was a person that wanted to help new members and had a passion for the chauffeured transportation industry. Anyone who had the opportunity to speak with Tom could feel this genuine passion that he openly shared."
Smith is survived by his wife, Charlene Hall Smith; son, Travis Smith of Brandywine, Md.; daughter Trisha Watkins (Alan) of Wake Forest, N.C.; daughter Angie Isaacs (David) of Huntersville, N.C.; brother Kenneth Smith of LaVale, Md.; brother Michael Smith (Aarti) of Centreville, Va.; grandchildren Draven Smith, Hannah Isaacs, Michelle, Allison, and Ryan Watkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is scheduled for February 27 from 6-8 p.m. at Lee Funeral Home Clinton, 6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Road, Clinton, Md.
Chauffeur Driven would like to extend our condolences to his family and team at Prime Transportation.
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California operators headed to Sacramento to lobby for the industry Sacramento — Members and supporters of the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) took to the state capitol February 21 for its annual Day on the Hill. CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela was among those lobbying for The Golden State’s operators.
Prior to the legislative day, a board meeting was held February 20, where new GCLA President Mo Garkani of COTS Group highlighted the primary issues to address the next day.
The next morning, Nidia Bautista of the Senate Energy Committee, Nick Zangani of California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Transportation Enforcement Branch, and Edmond Cheung of the Assembly Conveyance Committee met with and spoke to GCLA members before they headed to the capitol to brief them on what to expect from the day and how to maximize their efforts.
L to R: Don Mahnke of ABC Worldwide Transportation, CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela, Robert Gaskill of Motev, and Perry Barin of MusicExpress The Day on the Hill itself was packed with meetings to tell senators, assembly members, and their staffs to demonstrate the unity of the statewide ground transportation industry, educate them on not only the issues operators face but also what the industry does, communicate the GCLA’s positions on specific legislation, and demonstrate continued support for Lobbyist Gregg Cook of Government Affairs Consulting and his dedication to representing the GCLA’s interests throughout the legislative year.
While TNCs were not among this year’s focal points, safety issues within the transportation sector remained at the forefront of the day’s message as part of the discussion about duty of care and the ongoing need for both Department of Justice background checks and monitoring for-hire drivers. There was also a call for supporting the CPUC, specifically its budget request to hire between six to eight enforcement officers and its efforts to increase enforcement overall.
After the whirlwind day concluded, participants regrouped to discuss the fruits of their labors and detail their meetings.
Check out the March issue of Chauffeur Driven for expanded coverage of this event.
The next GCLA meeting will be March 13 in Las Vegas.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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Rockville, Md. — The world’s top for-hire transportation operators and industry vendors will head to America’s Great Plains this April, when Oklahoma City will host the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association’s (TLPA’s) Spring Conference & Expo from April 10-12.
Hosted at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel & Spa, the event promises to be packed with seminars, roundtable discussions, and exhibitors to help today’s fleets succeed.
Executives, managers, and other decision-makers will gain new insights for success on a variety of subjects, including: TLPA’s new Ride Local marketing campaign; a strategic planning process that is mapping a vision for the future of the industry and the association’s role in what lies ahead; how to transition to soft meters in taxis; how to make more money through motorcoaches; working constructively with transportation brokers; strategies for improving taxi service; hiring and retaining skilled paratransit drivers; and how to survive a DOT audit.
The casual Expo Hall offers a great one-on-one opportunity for vendors and operators to meet in a relaxed environment to compare products and prices. Attendees will also learn about the latest industry products and services from more than 30 of the industry’s leading vendors. Companies already contracted to exhibit include Bronze sponsor Flywheel, as well as Autocab International, AMF-Bruns of America, Atlas Financial Holdings, Azpired, Bankers Insurance, BiTS, Curb Mobility, iCabbi USA, Logisticare Solutions, MobilityWorks Taxi, Professional Insurance Center, Taxi Butler, Taxi Charger, ZipWhip and 3 Taxi Guys.
Conference-goers will have the chance to visit the operations of Airport Express, Inc./MedRide as the conference’s host operator, which, in a mouth-watering twist, will also be the site of a special BBQ dinner arranged by 3 Taxi Guys, a barbecue sauce company formed by three longtime taxicab operators and TLPA members. The company will bring its taxi-turned-barbecue smoker to Oklahoma City specially for this event.
“There has never been a better time to be a TLPA member, to get involved in this organization, and to position your company for future success,” said TLPA President Mike Pinckard of Total Transit, an Arizona-based transportation management services company. “This is where the conversations about the future of our industry are happening. No matter how big or small the fleet, there is always something at these conferences that will help you improve your operations and your bottom line.”
Visit tlpa.org/Spring-Conference to sign up for the TLPA Spring Conference & Expo, or to find the meeting agenda and hotel reservation information.
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