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Although retirement is officially a few more months away, Al LaGasse was honored for the last time as The Transportation Alliance (TTA) CEO at the association’s most recent convention. LaGasse, who has presided over the association for nearly 46 years (beginning when he was just 23 years old and fresh out of college), was celebrated with a light-hearted and festive roast at their 105th Annual Convention & Expo, Mobilize 2023, held Sept. 19-23 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Transportation Alliance CEO Al LaGasse celebrated at Mobilize 2023
Over his nearly five-decade career, LaGasse has seen some massive changes in the industry as well as the association. Originally named the International Taxicab Association, the organization subsequently transitioned into the Taxicab, Livery & Paratransit Association, then the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Associations—eventually landing on the TTA moniker, although some industry members still slip and call it TLPA out of habit. He was CEO when TNCs upset the market, but also when the association marked their centennial milestone in 2017.
“In 1990, we stopped being the ‘taxi association.’ We changed our rules to allow any private, for-profit transportation company providing for-hire transportation to join. That was because TTA was fighting and winning the legislative and legal battles for all for-hire operators, and we needed to expand our base of membership and dues to pay for those battles. It has always been a challenge to navigate between the similarities and differences between these various types of services, but our similarities are more important than our differences today just as they were back in 1990. The for-hire vehicle industry must stay united in TTA. Don’t let anything divide and weaken us,” said LaGasse.
LaGasse announced his intention to retire at last year’s convention, where his successor and TTA’s new Executive Director Abena Bonso-Bruce was introduced to members. Throughout 2023, LaGasse continued to hold the title of CEO, while serving in a consulting role to TTA before his retirement on December 31, 2023.
His successor comes with a serious pedigree of her own. Prior to joining TTA, Bonso-Bruce served as the assistant director of program management at the International Association of Fire Chiefs, an 11,000-member organization. As assistant director, Bonso-Bruce managed more than $8.5 million in federal grants focusing on firefighter recruitment and retention, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Bonso-Bruce also coordinated advertisements, courses, and other tools to help promote the association’s DEI initiatives, as well as volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention programs.
As his days running the association wind down, LaGasse is planning the next phase of his transition. This is, after all, an industry that never sleeps.
“I plan on relaxing for about six months and then I’ll figure out what I’m going to do with the rest of my life,” he joked. “Most of all, I am thankful for you simply giving me the chance to manage the day-to-day affairs of this association and ultimately, you gave me a true voice on the leadership team. Being a key person at this organization really has meant a great deal to me and I thank you for the opportunity, your support, and your friendship.”
Congrats to our friend and indefatigable industry champion as he approaches his much-deserved retirement!
Visit thetransportationalliance.org for more information.
[10.10.23]
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Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine and 50/50 Winner Joe Martellaro of Team Lancer/Research Underwriters 
NELA Treasurer Terry Murtaugh of United Private Car, winner of CD 1/2 page ad, presented to him by Director Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine
On October 3, the New England Livery Association (NELA) held its annual golf tournament at Marlborough Country Club, one of New England’s top-rate courses. Originally scheduled for August 8, torrential rain and even a tornado warning led to a last-minute postponement. However, the rescheduled date delivered sunshine, cloudless blue skies, and 82-degree weather.
Dozens of sponsors and volunteers stepped up to make sure the event ran without a hitch, including Platinum Sponsors Above All Transportation, Lancer Insurance and Research Underwriters. Other top sponsors included Gold Sponsor Boston Carriage, Golf Cart Sponsor United Private Car, and Putting Contest Sponsor EngineIQ.
Team L.A. Limousine
“Special recognition goes to the NELA Golf Committee: Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine, Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation, Brittni Bogar of All Points Limousine, Larry White of Boston Chauffeur, Steve Crispo of Research Underwriters, Terry Murtaugh of United Private Car, and Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine,” says NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi. “These NELA Board members continued their support of the event by serving as volunteers during the event, and were joined by Becky Laramee of All Points Limousine, Chris St. Cyr of American Classic Limousine, and, of course, Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives, who is always at-the-ready to assist the organization.”
Brittni Bogar of All Points Limousine 
Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine and Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives
Golfers were given the opportunity to qualify for a new addition this year, a putting contest sponsored by EngineIQ. Eight golfers qualified by sinking a 12-foot putt. Once the golfers finished their 18 holes, everyone moved back to the putting practice green, where the eight qualifiers had one chance at a 35-foot putt. One by one they stepped up, while the other qualifiers remained with their backs turned, so they did not receive an advantage watching the speed and break of the long putt. The prize, a large Yeti cooler provided by EngineIQ, went to Dylan Brown of Team All Points Limousine, with a putt 2.5 feet from the pin.
Team All Points Limousine 
Team United Private Car
After the contest, everyone sat down to the evening’s lavish dinner. Szilagyi began the program by thanking everyone for attending, and sharing NELA President Brett Barenholtz’s best wishes and apologies for not being able to attend. Szilagyi thanked Barenholtz for his leadership, and specifically pointed out his creation of online events with a nationwide draw during COVID, when the organization could not hold its usual in-person events. Szilagyi continued that after COVID, Barenholtz assumed the position as president, and continues to drive funding of the organization. Special guest David Eckstein of Valeria Global, who made the trip from New York, spoke briefly about the Semper Fi Fund’s Limo Patriot Ride, which is in the planning stages for the upcoming CD/NLA Show in Vegas.
Stephanie McKeon and Gary McKeon of Joshua's Limousine
Prior to announcing this year’s winners, Szilagyi held up the perpetual trophy, and reviewed all of the past winning teams over the last 20-some years. There was much laughter at how many times Team L.A. Limousine had won, including the last three years of the tournament. And sure enough, at 13 under, Team L.A. Limousine won first place again.
- First Place: L.A. Limousine (Justin Benson, Colin Pratt, Bill White, and Matt Dougherty)
- Second Place: United Private Car (Eric Comeford, Matt Joyce, Shane Tattan, and Will Tattan)
- Third Place: All Points Limousine (Kenneth Bogar, Dylan Brown, Dave Harrington, and Keith Carpenter.)
- Longest Drive (Women): Stephanie McKeon of Joshua’s Limousine
- Longest Drive (Men): Joe Martellaro of Lancer/Research Underwriters
- Closest to the Pin: John Surette of American Classic Limousine
Sunny Shah of EngineIQ and Dylan Brown of Team All Points Limo 
Boris Leppeveld and Sunny Shah of EngineIQ 
Steve Crispo of Research Underwriters
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[10.10.23]
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- Category: Industry News
J.J. Keller & Associates, a provider of safety and compliance solutions for the transportation industry, has been granted a new patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent, titled Driving Monitoring and Detection System, was filed with the USPTO in October 2020 and was granted on September 26, 2023.
The invention aims to address the problem of unidentified driving events when using an electronic logging device (ELD). The J.J. Keller Encompass application, available on both Android and iOS platforms, incorporates this driving monitoring and detection system, which leverages the mobile device's GPS module to detect motion when the ELD is disconnected. If the device moves beyond set distance and time thresholds, it triggers a prompt for the user to reconnect the ELD to the Encompass application. Additionally, this information is relayed to the administrative side of the Encompass solution, providing fleet managers with detailed insights into when and how long the application was in motion while disconnected from the ELD.
J.J. Keller President and CEO Rustin Keller
Roman Bykhovoy, a senior developer with J.J. Keller and an inventor of the driving monitoring and detection system, said, "I am profoundly honored to have contributed to the development of this invention—a tool that will enable motor carriers to adhere to essential regulations, consequently establishing safer highways for everyone on the road. I am sincerely grateful to J.J. Keller for providing me with the opportunity to transform this concept into a functional solution that is now utilized by thousands of drivers."
The patent allows J.J. Keller the exclusive rights to make, sell, or license this invention. This mechanism is crucial in maintaining compliance among drivers. It can assist the carrier's support team in identifying and communicating with drivers who are not complying with regulations.
"We are thrilled to receive this patent and to be able to offer our customers a solution that will help them maintain compliance and keep their drivers safe on the road," said J.J. Keller President and CEO Rustin Keller. "We are committed to providing innovative solutions that meet the needs of our customers and help them achieve their safety and compliance goals."
Visit jjkeller.com for more information.
[10.09.23]