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Stephen DiBenedetto of Cruise Control Limousine, who won a pass to the Chauffeur Driven Show in Washington, D.C., with CD Editor Madeleine Maccar Plainview, N.Y. — The Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) took to Bird Bus Sales’ facility for a membership meeting that hosted nearly 50 people May 31. Chauffeur Driven Editor Madeleine Maccar was among those on hand for the evening meeting.
The meeting saw a passing of the presidential torch, with Robert Cunningham of Platinum Limousines ending his four-year tenure and former LILA Director Bill Goerl of Clique Limousines accepting the association’s head leadership role—and while serving in his new position as Immediate Past President, Cunningham is adamant about remaining an active supporter and advisor for LILA.
“Even though I’m no longer president, I’m not going anywhere,” Cunningham promised. With his positions on the Suffolk County Taxi & Limousine Commission board as well as the Long Island Wine Council, Cunningham vowed to continue fighting for the industry.
The 2016-2017 LILA Board is as follows:
President: Bill Goerl of Clique Limousines
1st Vice President: Paul Cannella of Concord Limousine/Krystal Bus Tours
2nd Vice President: Matt Silver of Ultimate Class Limousines
Treasurer: Michael Fargnoli of Precious Moment Limousine
Sergeant at Arm: Steve Showtime of Showtime Limousine
Immediate Past President: Robert Cunningham of Platinum Limousines
Secretary: Loren Denning of Class A Limousine
East End Advisory Board: George Monsour of Sunny Limousine
2-Year Director: Charles Gandolfo of Dynasty Limousine
1-Year Director: Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine
In his first speech as the association’s president, Goerl thanked both Cunningham and previous Immediate Past President Schwartz for all the work they’ve done to LILA’s benefit, and promised to continue on the upward trajectory they’ve initiated.
Given the operational and insurance challenges Long Island has been facing over the past year, Goerl recognized the challenges ahead but plans to meet them head-on.
The 2016-2017 LILA board (L to R): President Bill Goerl of Clique Limousines, 2-Year Director Charles Gandolfo of Dynasty Limousine, 1st Vice President Paul Cannella of Concord Limousine/Krystal Bus Tours, 1-Year Director Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine, Secretary Loren Denning of Class A Limousine, Treasurer Michael Fargnoli of Precious Moment Limousine, Immediate Past President Robert Cunningham, and Membership Director Bob MacDonald of Broward Limousine“We're looking to elevate the image of chauffeured transportation through continued education of our chauffeurs and re-establishing public awareness of how our chauffeurs are saving lives every day,” he said. “We keep drunk drivers off the road. We take people out and bring them home safely—that’s what we do. We're focused on getting through the entire year without any insurance claims.”
Goerl added that “Long Island Limousine Association has long been a leader, and will continue to set the example on what an association is all about: Building relationships and keeping current within our industry.”
The meeting also featured a presentation from sponsor Dashride’s CEO Nadav Ullman, which highlighted the software platform’s back-office system and app components, as well as its Dashboard Connect component, which is an affiliate offering that’s scheduled to debut June 15. Bird Bus Sales President Rick Reichenbach later addressed the crowd, inviting all in attendance to take a tour of the facility at the end of the meeting.
LILA’s next meeting will be July 26. It has a number of events planned throughout the rest of the year, including summer trips and parties, as well as an Associate Members Appreciation Day and a black-tie awards banquet to cap off the year.
Visit nslali.com for more information.
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NELA’s Executive Director Rick Szilagyi and 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine
Boston — Now in its 16th year, the annual New England Livery Association (NELA) Chauffeur Appreciation Day treated chauffeurs to an afternoon of free lunches, live music, and prizes at Logan International Airport’s limo pool on June 2.
The day is one of NELA’s most popular events of the year, with the association’s board and general members rallying together to grill up the hot dogs, burgers, and sausages that would feed about 1,000 hungry chauffeurs—with nearly 20 NELA members working during the event’s peak hours, making sure that the vegetables are sliced, the grills are running, and everyone gets a hot lunch.
“It’s a great event,” Benson said. “It’s all volunteers who are there working, setting up, and cooking non-stop for the entire time that we’re there.”
What started with smoky barbecues and often-depleted food supplies has become “a well-oiled machine” that boasts commercial grills and even a concession-stand counter, according to NELA 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine. Benson has been involved with the event for much of its history—to the extent that her brother Carl Varney and sister Cindy Crisp often step up to help out, too—and keeps coming back every year because of the camaraderie.
L to R: Mark Mollica of Black Tie Limousine, Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives, and Steve Crispo of Research Underwriters
In a truly cooperative effort, Benson said that Massachusetts Port Authority, which owns and operates Logan Airport, is “very helpful, setting up chairs and tables for everyone,” and that the event’s many Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors helped make the whole day possible—including donated prizes, like the 10 free oil changes that sponsor Sullivan Tire & Auto Service provided. Other prizes included two sets of Red Sox tickets and a lottery tree.
The event also serves as an opportunity for NELA to let chauffeurs know that it’s supporting them and their livelihoods with its ongoing legislative, educational, and lobbying efforts in pursuit of better safety and a more level playing field for ground transportation companies as the TNC fight continues.
“It’s about thanking the chauffeurs and letting them know that the New England Livery Association is in their corner, to help make their jobs and lives easier by fighting Uber,” Benson said. “It’s a very successful, well-organized event, and just a really great day.”
The next NELA meeting will be June 14, while its next social event will be the 17th Annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament on August 16.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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Brevard Executive Transportation Owner Wendy Kleefisch
Indialantic, Fla. — Brevard Executive Transportation announces the addition of two 2017 Lincoln Continentals to its fleet. Wendy Kleefisch, owner of Brevard Executive Transportation, says that she strives to be the industry leader by supplying her customers with the most modern and luxurious Lincolns in the livery space. She joins a handful of industry companies that have already announced that they will also be adding Lincoln’s new flagship vehicle to their fleets once the vehicle is available later this year.
“Brevard Executive Transportation aims to be the first to test out the latest technology,” she says. “As the president of the newly formed Central Florida Livery Association (CFLA), I felt it was important to try out the newest that Lincoln has to offer, while making my customers feel like VIPs in new vehicles. It's important to rotate the fleet and have the newest version of their favorite luxury brand. We are certain adding these two new vehicles will be a huge success. There are those who want to be in business, and those who want to stand out and be an example for their industry peers!”
Brevard Executive Transportation serves the Space Coast—so named for one of its most famous landmarks, the Kennedy Space Center—and is located in Indialantic, Florida. They service Melbourne International Airport, Orlando International Airport, as well as Port Canaveral. Port Canaveral is now the largest passenger port with seven ships, servicing over 350,000 passengers at any given time.
Visit brevardexecutive.com for more information.
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