L to R: Becky Laramee of All Points Limousine, NELA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation, and Linda Calley of All Points Limousine
On Tuesday, June 27, the New England Livery Association (NELA) held its second quarterly meeting of 2023. Once again held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Woburn, Mass., 50 members and guests attended the dinner event.
Following a cocktail hour and dinner, NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management kicked off the meeting by thanking everyone for turning out to make the event a success, and asked NELA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation/Boston Car to come up to the podium.
Jason Dornhoffer of United Private Car and Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives
Barenholtz thanked everyone for attending and discussed current negative issues facing operators in the industry, such as congestion pricing in New York and the closing of the Sumner Tunnel in Boston. “The good news”, Barenholtz continued, “is that you are all here after the challenges of the pandemic.” He also mentioned coming through other challenges, such to our industry, such as those related to 9/11 and the downturn of the economy in 2008-2009. Barenholtz emphasized the importance of controlling debt, networking well to maintain and create good partners, reducing the need to have increasingly large individual fleets. He continued that infrastructure in general needs to be enhanced, and that the NELA has a great relationship with Massport, and will continue to emphasize the need for Level 3 chargers at the Logan Airport limo pool, as the industry moves to EV.
Carl Restivo (left) of Advantage Remarketing Solutions and Bill Flynn of DEVIVO Bus Sales
Szilagyi thanked board members instrumental in putting together the evening’s meeting: Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine, Brittni Kirk of All Points Limousine, Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine Service, and Joe Puleo of Dav El / BostonCoach. Szilagyi then introduced this year’s Board of Directors:
- President: Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Boston Car
- 2nd Vice President: Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine Service
- Secretary: Brittni Kirk of All Points Limousine
- Treasurer: Terry Murtaugh of United Private Car
- Immediate Past President: Joseph Cardillo of Westminster Livery Consulting
- Directors: Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine, Richard Tessier of Great Bay Limousine, Larry White of Boston Chauffeur, and Charles Wisniewski of Teddy's Transportation System
- Vendor Directors: Steve Crispo of Research Underwriters and Bob Moody of Acton/SoCal Penske
Guest speaker Elizabeth Leaman of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Transportation Oversight Division
The recent Chauffeur Appreciation Day was discussed, with kudos from all to Benson, who is the chair of that event, and has been for years. The upcoming golf tournament was discussed, which will be held on August 8. Szilagyi emphasized the need for member support in providing golfers, sponsorships, and volunteers. Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives, who served as chair of the event in the past, stated that she has attended at least 10 NELA golf tournaments, but never as a golfer. She is always a participant as a volunteer, assisting in the day’s activities, and encouraged other members to do so as well.
The evening’s major sponsors were DEVIVO Bus Sales, represented by Bill Flynn, and Advantage Remarketing Solutions, represented by Carl Restivo. Restivo, who has been in the livery industry for 30 years, stated that Advantage is here to help operators finance vehicles, even those purchased elsewhere, and offer new and used vehicles. Flynn stated that he was here tonight representing the commercial vehicle division of DEVIVO, part of DATTCO, and thanked all those who visited the limo van showcased by the entrance of the hotel.
Mark Kini of Boston Chauffeur and Michelle Fitzmeyer of Volvo-Danvers
Szilagyi continued by thanking the rest of the evening’s sponsors, Cocktail Hour Sponsors: Above All Transportation, Park Avenue Limousine of Philadelphia, and Great Bay Limousine. Raffle sponsors were also thanked, including American Classic Limousine, Four Star Limousine, and Dav El/BostonCoach. Szilagyi also thanked Diamond Vendor Member Chosen Payments for their ongoing support.
New NELA members were then welcomed, including James King of Waverly Insurance, Kevin Nguyen of VN Limousine, Michelle Fitzmeyer of Volvo-Danvers, and Armen Mahserejian of Armens Limo & Car Service. And Rick thanked NELA Treasurer Murtaugh, who served as the evening’s photographer.
The evening’s guest speaker was Elizabeth Leaman, assistant director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Transportation Oversight Division. Joining Leaman were Cheryl Gard, who inspects vehicles for the division, and division attorney, Tim Lawton. During her presentation and Q&A, Leaman covered several topics including the threshold for livery vehicles addressed by the DPU, emergency vehicle egress issues, and CDL v. Non-CDL aspects. She emphasized that the division’s staff is there as a resource for operators, helping owners protect their operations, something that was noted in private conversations by Szilagyi earlier in the evening, as Gard chatted with operators there for the meeting. Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[07.03.23]