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L to R: Brett Barenholtz, Stephen Ward, and Kevin Cronin Boston — Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service and Kevin Cronin of Above All Transportation recently announced that the companies have joined forces and will operate under the same corporate umbrella while keeping their respective brand names. Between the two companies, the diverse fleet of 75—including BMW 5 Series, Lincoln MKTs, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, shuttle and coach buses, and SUVs—will serve a mix of corporate and retail customers.
Above All Transportation was founded in 1988 by Cronin. Unlike other transportation companies of late, Cronin didn’t—and doesn’t—shy away from retail work, maintaining a fleet to represent the needs of both retail and corporate customers. Above All was featured in the December 2014 issue of Chauffeur Driven.
Boston Car Service, a more corporate-based operation, was founded in 1997 and has grown rapidly since in the competitive Boston market. The company has been named as “Best of Boston” by Boston Magazine, and is a top-rated and top-reviewed transportation service on Angie’s List. Boston Car Service is also a recipient of the site’s Super Service Award.
The companies will operate out of Above All’s Canton-based location. Barenholtz, who assumes the role of CEO/treasurer of the combined companies, says that the merger was natural because of their longstanding history of working well together, and will be of benefit to their mutual customer bases with additional vehicles, staff, and levels of service. Cronin will act as the companies’ president.
Visit abovealltrans.com or bostoncar.com for more information.
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Las Vegas, Nev. — Meridian Specialty Vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz® Preferred bus manufacturer, recently announced the availability of its long-awaited SkyVue glass-top convertible Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus designed specifically for the sightseeing and tour industries.
The patented and proprietary SkyVue glass top convertible bus will be available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean on the 170”-extended wheelbase 3500 model Sprinter in several 16 to 20 passenger configurations. The roof system replaces the factory structure, opens and retracts with the touch of a button, and incorporates several safety features to prevent injury or damage to the system. The roof can be fully opened or closed in about 30 seconds and is completely water and air tight when closed so sudden weather or temperature changes are never an issue.
“Since announcing the product in March, we have been inundated by inquiries from operators throughout North America with an incredibly diverse range of applications,” says David Ronsen, president and CEO of Meridian, “The experience of riding in a Sprinter fitted with the SkyVue glass top—open or closed—is truly exhilarating. The SkyVue bus literally creates new markets in the tour and other transportation industries that simply were not in reach before now. From New York City to the Grand Canyon and Wine Country to New England ‘leaf peepers’ applications, tour companies will now have a platform from which they can distinguish themselves from their competition and provide a one-of-a-kind touring experience for the masses or for their most exclusive VIP clientele and in any climate, season, or weather condition.”
Included in the 100+ available options are several oversized air conditioner and heater options to ensure passenger comfort in virtually any climate. The system has been tested extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East and is now being made available in North America.
SkyVue buses will be available through select Meridian dealers. MSRP for the M716, 16-passenger model is $145,550.
Visit meridiansv.com for more information.
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Georgieanna Bouchard, Client Service Manager St. James, N.Y. — Industry veteran Georgieanna Bouchard has joined the team of Create-A-Card as client service manager. In this role, Bouchard will manage the customer service department and assist with sales. Bouchard can be reached via email at customerservice@createacardinc.com.
Bouchard has decades of experience in the chauffeured transportation industry, and is well known to her industry peers. Having owned her own company for 20 years, Bouchard understands the dynamics and challenges that transportation companies and owners go through on a daily basis. She grew her business from the ground up showing her the importance of marketing on a shoestring budget as well as the depth and complexity of a well-organized and executed marketing campaign.
Bouchard served as secretary for the New England Livery Association between 2010 and 2013. She was the committee chair to the quarterly newsletter, Driven, as well as a volunteer on numerous other committees.
“I look forward to learning from, and growing with, such a distinguished and prominent industry icon as Arthur Messina,” says Bouchard. “I am extremely excited to be joining the Create-A-Card team. I have always been impressed by the level of customer service I received as a client. More importantly, I am impressed with the professionalism and dedication to the industry by Arthur Messina and the entire team. I now look forward to serving my friends and colleagues in the industry with a toolbox full of exciting ways to promote and grow their businesses.”
Create-A-Card, under the leadership of Arthur Messina, has evolved from a specialized printing company in 1986, into what is today, the industry's leading full-service marketing strategy and solutions provider. For almost three decades, Messina has taken a leadership position in ground transportation building a reputation as an industry innovator and the preferred partner for market-leading transportation companies.
Visit createacardinc.com for more information.
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