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L to R: Jim Conigliaro Jr. of Independent Drivers Guild; Council Transportation Chairman Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Washington Heights); Shafqat Khan; Farwah Ameen; and Hadiyah Ameen; TLC Commissioner Meera Joshi; Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D- St. Albans); Ira Goldstein, executive director of the BCF; Diana Clemente of Big Apple Car; Berj Haroutunian, chairman of the BCF. New York, N.Y. — The Black Car Fund (BCF) recently announced a new death benefit for families of member drivers killed on the job. The death benefit, which is guaranteed at $50,000, ensures that families of deceased drivers will not also suffer financially. The BCF made the announcement with the Ameen family after member driver Roohul Ameen was killed last June.
Ameen was a driver for Big Apple Car who was struck and killed while tending to his car on the side of the Long Island Expressway. At the recommendation of Ira Goldstein, executive director of BCF, the fund’s board of directors established the death benefit shortly after Ameen’s passing in order to protect families of member drivers in the event of work related deaths. This new death benefit is in addition to any other death benefit member drivers’ families may have under the workers compensation law.
“The Black Car Fund is fully committed to our drivers," said Goldstein. "While we are heartbroken over the loss of Mr. Ameen, we are pleased to offer this new, guaranteed death benefit to his family and all our members. Driving is high risk work which requires a supportive workforce model.”
Black car drivers are independent contractors who enjoy workers’ compensation and insurance coverage through the BCF, which also pays drivers to attend wellness seminars and safety trainings to meet the highest professional standards, serving as a model in the new “gig economy.”
“The challenges of workers not having any benefits in the emerging gig economy makes today particularly meaningful, and makes me very proud to be a founding member of the BCF that developed a business model that was ahead of its time,” said Diana Clemente, president of Big Apple Car. “I, along with my peers, did it because our drivers are the backbones of our companies, our extended families, and when they suffer, we suffer too. I am honored and grateful that my industry peers saw fit to assist my former driver's family after his tragic accidental work related death.”
Many have praised BCF for introducing the new benefit, including industry representatives, local politicians, and members of Ameen’s family.
Visit nybcf.org for more information.
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Brett Tyson, TBR Global’s General Manager for North America Boston, Mass. — TBR Global Chauffeuring is pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Tyson to the newly created role of general manager for North America.
Based in the company’s Boston office, Tyson will be working closely with the North America CEO, David Reinhart, to develop business strategy and support the USA’s contribution to the company’s global aims and objectives. The new general manager will also oversee the daily operations from Boston including meetings and events, roadshows, reservations, dispatch, and affiliate relations.
Originally from South Africa, Tyson joins TBR with extensive experience in the USA ground transportation and business travel industry, having worked at Commonwealth Worldwide, Harrison Global and the Marcou Transportation Group.
David Reinhart, CEO of North America, says “Tyson joins TBR at an exciting time for the global business. He has already made a positive impact on the team, and I am confident the wealth of experience he brings to TBR will be of great benefit as we move towards our business goals in the USA.”
Tyson adds “I am delighted to be part of this strong team and excited to get my teeth into this varied and dynamic role within such a respected, worldwide business. TBR has impressive future growth plans and I’m looking forward to playing an integral part in realizing the ambitions.”
Visit www.tbrglobal.com for more information.
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Lake Success, N.Y. — Advantage Funding, a provider of finance to small and medium businesses in the U.S., has named Lisa Lersner as CEO and president. She brings more than 25 years of financial services experience to the post.
Advantage Funding CEO and President Lisa Lersner “Lisa has the expertise and executive abilities to lead Advantage Funding’s development and execute on its growth strategy,” says Evert den Hollander, chairman of the company. “Her career has focused on managing the strategic, financial and operational activities of growing companies.”
Lersner most recently held the role of CFO of CapitalSpring, a registered investment advisor with both a specialty finance and asset management platform. Lersner began her career working in the vendor and commercial finance divisions of Citicorp North America and Chrysler Capital.
“I am very excited to be joining Advantage Funding and to be leading the company through its next growth phase. I appreciate the opportunity to build upon the strong commercial lending platform and market position currently in place,” notes Lersner.
Visit advantagefund.com for more information.
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