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Scott RudderLumberton, N.J. — Management and Government Resources, Inc. (MGR) is pleased to announce that former Assemblyman Scott Rudder has joined the firm as Partner effective immediately.
“Scott will be a tremendous addition to our firm,” says Barry Lefkowitz, founding partner at MGR. “His background and energy will benefit our clients as well as positively impact our overall growth strategies.”
MGR has been a successful bi-partisan government relations firm since 1980. Focusing on pro-business causes, Barry Lefkowitz and MGR have successfully led major legislative campaigns at the local, state, federal and international levels.
“Here at MGR, we pride ourselves in our ability to look at the big picture, put together a strategy and execute a plan that will directly benefit our clients,” says Lefkowitz. “With Scott coming on board, we now have an individual with years of government leadership experience, a Fortune 100 background and a proven track record of success.”
With a combined 16 years of public service as an elected official at the state and local level, Rudder also brings years of private sector experience. During his career, Rudder has worked for small businesses as well as for a large multinational corporation. He believes his business background is the best asset he brings to MGR and its client base.
“While it’s true that my time as a mayor and legislator have given me the knowledge of how government works, I believe my background and experience in the private sector will bring the most value to our clients,” says Rudder. “Having lived in the profit and loss world and experienced first-hand how government rules and regulations impact industry, I understand better than most the needs and concerns of the business community. As a result, I am in an excellent position to put together a strategy and a message and advocate on behalf of our clients that are impacted in some way by government regulations. “Innovation, a strong work ethic and integrity matter to me. It is for these reasons and more that I’m excited about this opportunity to work with Barry and the folks at MGR.”
Visit mgr-lobbist.com for more information.
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Doris Kidd of J.C. Kidd and Associates
Baltimore, Md.— The most recent gathering of the Maryland Limousine Association (MLA) was held on January 28 and several topics were hashed out.
First and foremost, MLA President Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady attended a hearing on a city tax that Baltimore is attempting to amend. The city itself refers to the tax as a “taxi tax” but it is applicable to any vehicle that carries 14 passengers or less. As it stands now, the tax would impose a $1.50 surcharge on each passenger. MLA and other groups would like to see this this lowered to 25 or 35 cents per passenger. Unfortunately, Baltimore officials were forced to reconvene the hearing due a limited understanding of the limousine industry—city officials were unaware that limousines and related vehicles do not have meters like a taxicab.
Uber and other rogue apps were discussed, as seems to be par for the course with most limousine associations these days, but the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) have slapped Uber with a cease and desist order and appear to have the collective backs of the livery industry in the state of Maryland at this point in time. “It’s going to take one state to come down definitively on the Ubers, Lyfts, and Sidecars of the world, and when it does all the other states will follow suit, I’m sure,” says Fridinger.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was also discussed at the meeting. Jack and Doris Kidd of J.C. Kidd & Associates spoke at length about its repercussions on all small businesses. The Kidds, who have a combined 55 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industries, said that the rules are changing every day and recommended speaking with certified, state-trained “health care navigator” to streamline the process. The employer mandate portion of the bill was postponed again last week.
Visit mdlimoassoc.org for more information.
2/14
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The Meridian "Tourismo" Las Vegas, Nev.— Meridian Specialty Vehicles, a Las Vegas, Nevada-based, Mercedes-Benz approved bus manufacturer unveiled its new Sprinter-based “Tourismo” midsize luxury motorcoach bus product line at the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Expo in Los Angeles, CA.
The high-end Tourismo is Meridian’s newest in a growing number of product offerings on the popular and eco-friendly Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, designed specifically for tour, charter and limousine operators.
The Tourismo’s standard six-foot interior ceiling height, 24-foot overall length, multiple high-end European-style reclining seating configurations including bench, booth or forward-facing arrangements, individual overhead air controls and reading lights, PA system, LED mood and cabin lighting, wood grain commercial flooring, video system, over-sized ducted air conditioning and heating, integrated backup camera, skylights and more, truly redefines luxury travel in a midsize platform.
Available options normally reserved exclusively for the Tourismo’s behemoth brothers and sisters include mobile Wi-Fi, fire suppression system, infotainment solutions, 110 Volt/USB passenger power outlets, privacy curtains, tire pressure monitoring, even fully-equipped lavatories. In all, over 100 options are available to customize every bus for each operator’s individual tastes and requirements for comfort and safety.
“With best-in-class 11,030-pound GVWR, incredibly smooth, quiet and comfortable ride quality and ultra-efficient and notoriously long-lasting diesel engines, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was our immediate platform choice for the Tourismo midsize tour bus to answer to our charter clients’ ongoing demand for a sub-20 passenger luxury touring coach," says David Ronsen, President and CEO of Meridian Specialty Vehicles. “Tour guests have become accustomed to high-end accommodations and tour operators are expected to provide luxurious buses, regardless of group size. Until now, operators have had few options other than to operate 40-, 50- or even 60-passenger coaches for a 15 passenger group. When calculating associated fuel and maintenance costs, that practice simply doesn’t add up. The Tourismo solves the problem with a very cost-effective, fully-equipped mini tour bus that achieves an astounding 300+ passenger miles per gallon. Operators will love the best-in-class amenities, including our exclusive luggage bay door and storage system and their passengers will love the privacy and panoramic views provided by the Sprinter’s ample, narrow-framed windows and Meridian’s exclusive glass plug door.”
Visit meridiansv.com for more information.
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