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(L to R) Erin Shields of Green Carpet Limousine with Gary and Jennifer Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation Petaluma, Calif. — Pure Luxury Transportation has purchased San Francisco-based Green Carpet Limousine. Erin Shields, the former owner of Green Carpet, will be joining the Pure Luxury team in a business-development role.
For the past 10 years, the company has operated as an “eco-friendly choice” in the chauffeured transportation industry, and has provided more than 25,000 rides in the Bay Area. According to Shields, Green Carpet’s mission has led to a reduction of over 3 million pounds of carbon-dioxide emissions.
“When Erin approached us several months ago, we were thoroughly impressed with her dedication to her clients and especially her employees. We instantly knew Green Carpet would be a perfect fit within our corporate structure, as we share very similar visions and goals,” said Gary Buffo, president of Pure Luxury Transportation.
“I was so thoroughly impressed, not only by Pure Luxury’s corporate structure, but also by their technology advances, core values, mission statements, and their goals. I am so excited that Green Carpet and our employees and clients will benefit greatly by this acquisition. Not to mention, I am so proud to become a part of a fantastic forward thinking company,” stated Shields.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Visit pureluxury.com for more information.
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Celebrity Limousine Director of Business Development & Affiliate Relations Chuck Psotka
Malvern, Pa. — Full-service ground transportation company Celebrity Limousine recently welcomed seasoned industry professional Chuck Psotka as its new director of business development and affiliate relations. With an extensive background of providing a high level of professionalism and service for clients, Psotka’s core values align perfectly with Celebrity’s mission of offering chauffeur services with unrivaled attention to detail.
“Given the trends in the industry towards bulk, commoditized transportation and away from personalized, professional service as a means of maintaining long-term client relationships, it’s refreshing to find that Celebrity still practices old-school values and customer service standards that are aligned with my own,” said Psotka. “It is this commonality of focus, in conjunction with my experience, which will enable me to work successfully with the company’s existing team to grow the business and maintain its core values of high quality, professional ground transportation.”
Psotka brings to Celebrity a depth and breadth of experience that is somewhat unique. When he entered the industry in 1974, the factory-built Cadillac Fleetwood 75 limousine was the standard vehicle, town cars were few and far between, and stretches were nearly non-existent. Most recently, Psotka was the Affiliate Manager at CTI Transportation, where he enhanced affiliate relationships supporting the company’s clients.
“Chuck is a very professional and knowledgeable person in the industry,” said Dennis Adams, CEO and founder of Celebrity Limousine. “He has been in the business for over 40 years, and I’ve known him for at least 20. I’m thrilled to now have Chuck as part of the Celebrity team and know that his experience in the industry will serve both our clients and our company well.”
Visit celebritylimo.com for more information.
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Keynote speakers Kim Bivins (left) and Kelli Moore
Henrico, Va. — Nearly 30 members of the Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) assembled for an October 2 meeting that included educational opportunities and internal matters. CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela was on hand for the bimonthly meeting, as he also serves as the VLA’s executive director.
Jagiela kicked off the meeting by requesting a moment of silence for the tragic news coming out of Las Vegas that morning, where it was reported that 58 were dead and nearly 500 were wounded.
The day’s speakers included transportation experts and representatives from related industries alike, offering a wide perspective of all the issues operators are facing and information they’re seeking. Glenn Stafford of Love Limousine and Randy Allen of James Limousine both offered a few words as meeting hosts and sponsors before the handing the mics to the meeting’s keynote speakers.
With Allen moderating the keynote panel, meetings and travel expert Kim Bivins of Altria Client Services and sourcing analyst Kelli Moore of Owens & Minor tackled VLA members’ most pressing questions about working with buyers. The Virginia operators asked their guests about the ins and outs of selecting a transportation provider, like purchasing and insurance policies, what influences their decisions in selecting a chauffeured transportation option of choice, what they require from their transportation partners, and if they would like to see on-demand options from traditional chauffeured services.
The newly elected 2018 VLA board of directors
The panelists did stress a few items for operators to consider during their conversation, with a particular focus on how important duty of care is, the importance of integrating with platforms like Concur for ease of record-keeping, and the ways that TNCs remain a non-option for high-touch travelers who demand accommodations like Wifi in their vehicles and a true chauffeur. They also emphasized how relationships are always crucial to maintain in any professional environment, especially in terms of reciprocal business where all parties need to be in tune with everyone’s needs.
Stafford then delivered a legislative update, reporting that the state’s elected officials are essentially asking operators to tell them what they want and are interesting in leveling the playing field but first need to know what that logistically entails. With new sessions beginning in January 2018, members agree that time is of the essence in terms of providing legislators with VLA members’ input.
Board nominations were submitted and voted on during the meeting, and results were announced during the first official call of the 2018 VLA on October 5. The officers are as follows:
- President: Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation
- Vice-president: William Kerr of Camryn Limousine
- Secretary: Glenn Stafford of Love Limousine
- Treasurer: Randy Allen of James Limousine
- Sergeant of Arms: Zulfi Abassi of American Executive Sedan
The next VLA meeting will be its holiday party December 4.
Visit vla-limo.org for more information.
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