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Jeff Conly, ALA PresidentScottsdale, Ariz. — The Arizona Limousine Association (ALA) is pleased to announce that it is holding its first-ever Casino Night fundraiser on Saturday, July 29, from 7 to 10 pm.
Located at Certified Benz and Beemer, the event promises to not only be a lot of fun, but will also serve to support the association.
ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide is looking forward to the fundraiser, and feels that it’s not only an opportunity to fill the association’s coffers but also a good way to get new members involved.
“The Casino Night is a new activity designed to raise money for our education program and lobbyist fund,” says Conly. “It’s really a great opportunity for area operators to see what the association is all about while having a good time.”
The event is $50 per person ($75 per couple), and includes food, two drinks, valet service, and $2000 in casino chips. In addition to table games like black jack, craps, poker, and roulette, there will be a 50/50 raffle and a live auction for prizes.
Current sponsors for the night include familiar industry names like Create-a-Card, Driving Results, SoCal Penske, Hudson Group, DriveProfit, FASTTRAK, Livery Coach, Chosen Payments, and Chauffeur Driven.
Visit azlimousineassociation.com for more information.
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Peter Pantuso, ABA PresidentWashington, D.C. — The American Bus Association (ABA) supports the findings made by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in its congressionally mandated report titled “Improving Motor Carrier Safety Measurement.”
The report details how the U.S. DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) should overhaul its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) carrier rating system to make it more fair and accurate in its assessment of motor carriers’ safety risk.
"We agree with many of the findings of this long-awaited report," said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso, CTIS. "This (CSA) program as a whole is a valuable tool, but as we have repeatedly noted, one in need of improvement."
The study, required by the FAST Act, evaluates the Safety Measurement System (SMS) that FMCSA uses to pick out motor carriers—both passenger and property carriers—it deems at greater risk of being involved in crashes. ABA has long believed the current system uses a flawed methodology because it doesn't take into consideration when an accident is not the driver's fault, compare like carrier operations (i.e. buses to buses), or what a company has done to enhance its safety.
According to the report, NAS found the current SMS implementation defensible, being fair and not overtly biased against various types of carriers, to the extent data from [the Motor Carrier Management Information System] can be used for this purpose. That information system is a collection of data from crashes, inspections, and other sources.
However, NAS also affirms ABA’s position that elements of the SMS can be improved upon, as much of what is now done is “ad hoc and based on subject-matter expertise that has not been sufficiently empirically validated," according to the panel.
The FMCSA now has 120 days to develop a corrective action plan to address the recommendations made in the report, and implementation of the plan will be overseen by both the U.S. DOT Inspector General and Congress.
"We believe the panel's recommendations to improve the implementation of the SMS and quality of the data, is the correct way to move forward," Pantuso said. "We welcome the opportunity to work with the FMCSA as they develop steps to address the identified deficiencies and improve safety."
ABA will be partnering with the California Bus Association for its Bus Industry Safety Council West event October 17 in Alpine, Calif. The ABA Annual Meeting & Marketplace 2018 will head to Charlotte, NC, January 26-30, 2018.
Visit buses.org for more information.
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L to R: Yolanda Washington, Yacine Mafhoum, and Rosanna Velasquez
Boston — United Private Car is pleased new announce the addition of three employees to their management team
Yacine Mafhoum has been promoted to dispatch manager, Yolanda Washington has been hired as client services manager, and Rosanna Velasquez has been promoted to business development and affiliate coordinator. Each of them will report to General Manager Lew Aflalo, who came to United Private Car in January, 2017.
“These additions will help streamline the company’s departments and allow me to oversee the daily operations with an additional layer of accountability. I am excited to grow the leadership team from both within and outside our company,” Aflalo said. “Having experienced leaders come on board will position us well for both organic and affiliate growth, as well as increase the efficiency of our business.”
Mafhoum has been at United Private Car for two years, most recently as dispatch supervisor. Washington comes to United with 10 years of industry experience, having worked at another Boston area operator. Velasquez, already employed part time at United as a CSR, brings her business administration and marketing background to the team.
Established in 2006 by co-owners Terry Murtaugh and Jason Dornhoffer, United Private Car has grown annually and has made the Inc. 5000 list the previous two years, making it one of America’s 5000 fastest growing private companies.
Visit unitedprivatecar.com for more information.
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