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Mike Hartmann, WLA PresidentThe Wisconsin Limousine Association (WLA) welcomed Chauffeur Driven Editor Madeleine Maccar on its most recent monthly conference call November 18, where association membership was a key topic of discussion—as, of course, was the ongoing battle with TNCs.
Like in most other regions, operators in The Badger State are fighting for a level playing field, finding a common ally in taxicabs, and seeking the assistance of lobbyists in appealing for treatment equal to that which TNCs receive on a legislative basis.
According to WLA President Mike Hartmann of Stardust Limousine, chauffeured ground transportation representatives had joined the area’s taxicab association at the state capitol in Madison in the hopes of getting TNC-related amendments into then-proposed legislature governing ride-share operations. While WLA members cite one senator who pushed for more stringent background checks and vehicle inspections for TNC drivers, most of the amendments they rallied behind were ultimately voted down.
“It’s common sense that the vehicles should be inspected,” Hartmann said. “But the main thing in my mind was drivers not being fingerprinted because right after TNCs were approved in the state, a lady was assaulted in Madison. When the police wanted the name of the driver, Uber said, ‘Nope, you have to get a search warrant.’ It just seemed like there should have been, at the minimum, more thought put into this legislation.”
The association is currently revisiting its meeting schedule and looking for ways to reinvigorate its membership base, as all members on the call agreed that getting members more involved would help identify the biggest issues that regional operators are facing.
WLA’s next conference call will be January 20.
Visit wisconsinlimo.org for more information.
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Scott SolombrinoAlexandria, Va. — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travel industry, announced that GBTA President Christle Johnson has appointed Scott Solombrino, President & CEO of Dav El/Boston Coach Chauffeured Transportation Network, to serve as the Allied Leadership Council (ALC) President. Johnson also appointed Dorothy Dowling, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for Best Western International, to serve as the Allied Leadership Council Vice President. Both Solombrino and Dowling will also sit on the GBTA Board of Directors joining the recently elected 2015 Board.
Solombrino brings a wealth of experience having served in this role under the previous six GBTA Presidents. Solombrino founded his first chauffeured transportation company in 1978 before acquiring Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network in 1984. In 2014, he was named chief executive of the combined operations of Dav El chauffeured car service with Boston Coach, with 1,800 owned vehicles, 3,100 employees, and projected annual revenue of $250 million. Solombrino is one of a select few to win GBTA’s Industry Icon Award and is a two-time GBTA Allied Member of the year winner. He is also a four-time President and founder of the National Limousine Association as well as founder and past president of the Massachusetts Limousine Owners Association. He has served and currently serves on numerous other boards as well, both business- and philanthropy-oriented.
Dorothy Dowling
Since joining Best Western in 2004, Dowling has reenergized the Best Western Rewards loyalty program, grown the brand’s market share, and undertaken several groundbreaking initiatives. Now at the helm of a comprehensive global brand refresh for the iconic Best Western brand, she was recently named the 18th most influential CMO in the world in the Forbes/ScribbleLive/LinkedIn’s 4th Annual CMO Influence Study. This marks her second-straight appearance on the list as she moved up from 27th last year to 18th this year and she is also the third highest ranked female CMO. In addition, she serves on the North American board for the U.S. Travel Association, and currently serves on, and is the former chair of, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Americas Board and is past president of HSMAI Canada.
“I am pleased to welcome Scott and Dorothy to the GBTA Board of Directors,” said Johnson. “Our industry is undergoing a period of rapid change and it is more important than ever to have veteran leaders with diverse experiences, across multiple industry verticals, helping lead the way as the voice of our allied community. As the allied side of the industry goes through this period of consolidation, the ALC has been tasked with developing and implementing innovative ideas in the upcoming year to help GBTA continue to evolve as an organization on the cutting edge.”
Johnson added, “The ALC represents GBTA’s allied members by acting as a voice for the allied community within GBTA, and also works to assure a strong allied and GBTA relationship to address common issues facing the travel industry. As a volunteer-led organization, it’s important for the ALC to drive ideas that enable GBTA to be responsive to our members’ changing needs. As industry leaders, I am confident in Scott’s and Dorothy’s abilities and expertise to meet this challenge.”
Solombrino’s and Dowling’s appointments are effective immediately and will run through GBTA Convention 2017.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
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Lake Success, N.Y. — Advantage Funding, a leader in U.S. ground-transportation finance, recently announced a new partnership with Road America, a leading independent provider of roadside assistance services throughout the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Road America and Advantage Funding are partnering to bring easy, low-cost financing and leasing terms to Road America’s 15,000 service providers,” said Al Damiani, CEO of Advantage Funding. “Competitive rates, flexible terms, and 100% financing for qualified buyers will help make it easy for Road America service providers to finance their next truck.”
Since 1978, Road America has supplied emergency road assistance to millions of customers of corporate clients. “This new partnership is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to build meaningful and lasting relationships with our valued service providers,” said Bonnie Verhulst, Director of Provider Network. Road America, part of MAPFRE ASISTENCIA, a leading multinational insurance, reinsurance, and services company founded in 1989, is a leader in the North America roadside assistance market, maintaining partnerships with major corporations and serving over 30 million corporate customers. Road America aims to uphold quality service during times of roadside emergencies by providing fast, accurate and reliable services for its customers.
Visit advantagefund.com and road-america.com for more information.
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