Events Coordinator Alyssa Penecale Marlton, N.J. — Chauffeur Driven is pleased to announce two new additions to our rapidly growing team. Alyssa Penecale joins us as Events Coordinator while Jeff Rafkin comes aboard as our new Business Development Manager.
In her role, Penecale will work side-by-side with Director of Events Jess Pavlow in the planning of all of the CD/NLA shows and events as well as the annual Executive Retreat. She says her love of the hospitality industry stems from growing up in her grandparents’ restaurant in the Philadelphia suburbs. While new to the luxury ground transportation industry, she has extensive experience in events management. Prior to joining the CD team, Penecale worked in the tech industry where she planned conventions, exhibitions, and trade shows from coast to coast. She also spent time in Puerto Rico where she spearheaded workshops and tech, startup, and entrepreneurial events.
“I am really glad to be part of this exciting industry," says Penecale. “I am eager to work with the NLA to produce the shows in Boston and Las Vegas. They’re sure to be exciting events.”
Penecale loves to cook, and is a fan of soccer and all of the Philadelphia professional sports teams.
Business Development Manager Jeff Rafkin
Rafkin comes to CD with a background in business development and strategic planning. In his new position, he will act as the point person for CD’s sales and business development initiatives both in print and online.
While also new to the industry, Rafkin is a highly experienced business development professional. For the past several years, he ran his own business where he provided strategic planning for a range of companies with an emphasis on healthcare and/or the service arena. His background also includes numerous trade shows where he participated as a rep for various companies to promote services to new and existing clients.
“I found that interacting with other companies in this capacity also gave me a keen insight as to the competition’s strengths and weakness,” he says. “I learned the importance of name recognition and the significance of maintaining a personal dialogue with existing clients.”
Rafkin is glad to be part of a team again, and looks forward to meeting with the many operators and vendors in Boston at the CD/NLA Show as well as other related trade shows and regional association meetings.
When not in the office, Rafkin actively studies martial arts as a student and an instructor, and is active in the extracurricular activities of his two teenage children.
Visit chauffeurdriven.com for more information.
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