MCTA Meeting Covers Statewide Ground

MCTA President Len Nelson The Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA) held its most recent meeting March 21, where members and potential members alike gathered at Elsie’s Restaurant in Minneapolis for dinner, networking, and discussion.

President Len Nelson of Valley Limo began the meeting before introducing the evening’s two guest speakers, Steve Holes of the Metropolitan Airports Commission and Gary Meyer of Prime Security Bank. Holes, manager of landside operations, offered preliminary information about and took questions regarding the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis, and also updated those in attendance about airport construction. Meyer discussed commercial financing, particularly in regard to what makes a business bankable and what makes a bank a good financing source.

The meeting’s member highlight focused on Bernie Fautch of Eclipse Global Transportation. The 32-year industry veteran began his career at another company before his time with Eclipse, where he’s been working for 18 years. He shared a few of the tips he has both learned and lived over more than three decades in chauffeured ground transportation, especially the importance of putting savings aside and hiring good people.

Vice President Charlie Murray of Total Luxury Limousine updated members about upcoming industrywide events. On a more local level, Murray also explained how the Minnesota Restaurant Association is leading the movement to influence the minimum wage proposal to recognize total taxable income—commonly referred to as “tip credit”—in a $15/hour policy, which would affect transportation companies headquartered in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, is spearheading the effort to limit cities’ ability to have their own minimum wages.

After Secretary/Treasurer Gina Brennan of Corporate Car & Coach delivered her reports, the meeting closed out with a round-up of new business to address, such as putting MCTA signage on members’ vehicles to denote them as association supporters and finalizing yearly meeting dates.

Visit mnlimo.org for more information. [CD0517]