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LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide
Princeton, N.J. — The Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) kicked off 2017 with its first meeting of the year on January 18 at the NJHA Conference and Event Center. Approximately 100 members and guests were in attendance, including Chauffeur Driven’s Publisher Chris Weiss and Editor Rob Smentek.
LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide started the meeting by thanking the vendor sponsors present and introducing the association’s 2017 board of directors:
President: Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide
1st Vice President and Treasurer: Jon Epstein of Royal Coachman Worldwide
2nd Vice President: Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments
Secretary: Karen Gajda of Country Club Transportation
Board: Anthony Azara of Avalon Chauffeured Services, Pete Corelli of Lakeview Custom Coach, Howard Gogel of My Limousine Service, Scott Greenwald AAA Worldwide Transportation, John Maziarz of Arrive in Style Transportation, Brian O’Neill of Grech Motors, Michael Renehan of Concorde Worldwide, Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Limousine (honorary), Tim Rose of Flyte Tyme Worldwide Transportation, Bob Schiavo of Albert’s Transportation, David Seelinger of EmpireCLS, Eddie Somers of Arrow Limousine, Christian Stochholm of New Jersey Limo Finder, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales, and CD’s Chris Weiss.
Speakers Eric Coolbaugh of Access Capital (left) and Billy Reitman of Intek Leasing
New board members include Sam Emam of Chauffeurs Limo Corp. and Joe Guilino of Gem Limousine Worldwide, who is replacing Barb Chirico as she retires from the LANJ board after many years of service.
Next, Sharenow welcomed three of LANJ’s newest members to the podium as part of the meeting’s Member Spotlight. Randall Willms of Minutemen Limousine and Car Service, Rob Mains of Vroom Fleet, and affiliate member Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Transportation each got the opportunity to introduce themselves and describe their services to the room.
The afternoon’s educational component—Financing Need-to-Know for 2017—was next on the agenda, providing timely and useful information to the members. Moderated by Sharenow, the session featured pointers from two respected financiers who have served the industry for years, Eric Coolbaugh of Access Commercial Capital and Billy Reitman of Intek Auto Leasing. Coolbaugh and Reitman provided their fiscal forecasts for the coming year and provided valuable tips for securing loans. Chief among their insights were the importance of developing strong relationships with your leasers and the necessity of reinventing your business as the industry changes.
CD Publisher Chris Weiss (left) and LANJ First Vice President Jon Epstein of Royal Coachman
Legislation news is always a hot topic at LANJ meetings, and Sharenow provided an update of happenings at the state house. The long-in-development TNC Bill (SB-2179) recently hit a snag as N.J. Governor Chris Christie balked at the fingerprinting requirements proposed by the bill.
Sharenow was much more enthusiastic about the LIMO Bill (SB-2315), which will create parity with taxis and TNCs by eliminating the sales tax currently required by the chauffeured ground transportation industry. This bill has many supporters in the state house, but Sharenow encouraged all LANJ members and supporters to write to the governor in support of the legislation. Less popular was the news that the Port Authority is considering adopting airport fees and licensing fees to all vehicles that do pickups at the N.J. and N.Y. airports. While airport fees are minimal, the licensing fees could approach six figures and be prohibitive for many operators. Following the meeting, Sharenow and Epstein held a conference call with other operators to discuss the impending levies. A meeting with the Port Authority is planned in the next 30 days.
The meeting closed with a few words from Weiss, who spoke about CD’s newly redesigned website and June’s Executive Retreat in San Francisco and Napa Valley. A pass was raffled to CD’s Trade Show and Conference to be held in Orlando from October 22-25, which was won by Epstein.
LANJ’s next meeting is scheduled for late March with a location to be determined. In addition, Corelli is planning to hold a meeting for South Jersey-based operators on February 8.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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Some of the awards honoring those who have been LILA members for 30 years or more Smithville, N.Y. — Long Island Limousine Association’s (LILA’s) Black-Tie Awards Banquet saw regional operators, vendors, family, and supporters alike flocking to the Springfield Golf Links & Country Club dressed in their fancy finery. The equally decked-out bar, lobby, and ballroom gave industry peers an evening to mix and mingle as well as recognize some of the association’s longest and most loyal members. CD Editor Madeleine Maccar was present for the celebratory holiday evening.
After a lavishly appointed cocktail hour, attendees took to a ballroom that was festooned with red and green decorations for a DJ’d evening featuring a smorgasbord of food, raffles, a photobooth, and, of course, an array of awards. There, LILA President Bill Goerl of Clique Limousines took to the mic, expressing his sincere gratitude to those who have trusted him to lead the association and helped him along the way.
Members of the LILA executive board “Thank you all for making one of my dreams come true. I always wanted to be president of this association,” Goerl said, bringing up LILA’s executive board one by one to share anecdotes about their role in the association’s success and sharing the limelight with them in recognition of their dedication and contributions.
It was then time to begin the awards portion of the evening, with LILA 2nd Vice President Matt Silver of Ultimate Class Limousines emceeing the presentation. Plaques were awarded to companies that have been LILA members for 10-19 years, 20-29 years, and those who have been involved with its safety initiatives.
Chauffeur Driven Editor Madeleine Maccar and winner of the pass to CD’s 2017 Show in Orlando, Chris Cannella of Concord Limousine Services/Krystal Bus Tours After a number of raffle winners claimed their prizes—ranging from wine, technology, dinner, and a spa outing—and as dessert and dancing continued the night’s theme of camaraderie, it was time to bestow awards upon those who have been LILA members for 30 years or more, plus individuals whose efforts have helped make LILA the association it is today. LILA’s 1st Year Director Douglas Schwartz of Executive Limousine was named Man of the Year while Treasurer Mike Fargnoli was heralded as the association’s unsung hero.
Before the evening concluded with an hour of dancing and socializing, Maccar raffled off a pass to the CD 2017 Show in Orlando. Chris Cannella, son of LILA 1st Vice Presdudent Paul Cannella of Concord Limousine Services/Krystal Bus Tours, was the lucky winner.
The next LILA membership meeting will be March 28, with the association’s ongoing Chauffeur Training Program scheduled for March 14.
Visit nslali.com for more information.
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King of Prussia, Pa. — The Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) held its first general membership meeting of the year on January 12 at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Chief among the issues shared by PRLA President Steve Rhoads of Roads Limousine was the announcement of a temporary resolution to the association’s battle with the Philadelphia Parking Administration (PPA).
Earlier this year, when the PPA more than doubled its annual per-vehicle fee from $404 to a staggering $868, the PRLA jumped into action and hired an attorney to represent them in seeking changes to the fees and regulations placed upon the luxury ground transportation industry by the city.
PRLA President Steve Rhoads
On January 11, the PRLA legislative committee—consisting of Mike Barreto from Flyte Tyme Worldwide, Jordan Sanders from Hollowsands Luxury Limousine, and Rhoads—had a final mediation with the PPA in which the vast number of the concessions sought by the association was agreed upon. Most notably, the city agreed to lower the annual per-vehicle fee to $500, with a cap of $550 for 2018. Additionally, significant changes were made to both driver registration and inspection fees and structures. The two organizations also reached a handshake agreement that they would work together to add an amendment to the state’s recently passed Ride Share Bill to collect a percentage of gross intercity revenue instead of the per-vehicle fee.
“These concessions were overwhelmingly in our favor,” said Barreto. “This was a much needed victory for the PRLA and the operators in our region.”
Rhoads, too, was very pleased with the result of the meeting, and reported that the majority of the association was happy with the outcome.
Next, the association is turning its attention to the Philadelphia International Airport, where a private licensing agreement with TNCs was recently signed.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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