NELA honored 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine (center) for her longtime dedication to the association, with (L to R) Mike Callahan of Able Limousine, NELA President Brett Barenholtz, and NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi
The New England Livery Association (NELA) held their annual holiday quarterly meeting at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield, Mass., on December 12. The event attracted 100 members and guests for dinner and entertainment, courtesy of renowned mentalist Jon Stetson. The evening also honored longtime board member and 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine, who is entering her 18th year on the NELA Board of Directors.
Following a cocktail hour and registration, NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management kicked off the meeting by thanking the evening’s sponsors. The lengthy list included Meeting Sponsors Above All Transportation, Lancer Insurance, and Research Underwriters; Entertainment Sponsor A&A Metro; Cocktail Sponsors Brown and Brown Insurance Agency, Great Bay Limousine, and LTI Worldwide; and Raffle Sponsors American Classic Limousine, Boston Pro Car Service, Center Insurance Agency, Four Star Limousine, Pat's Car Service, Prevost, and RMA Worldwide. Sponsors who addressed the large group included Tom Arrighi of A&A Metro, Steve Crispo of Research Underwriters, Mitch Guralnick of Prevost, and Andy Tighe of RMA Worldwide.
Mark Kini of Boston Chauffeur (left) with CD/NLA Show pass winner Kevin Cronin of Above All Transportation/Boston Car
Szilagyi also recognized the Quarterly Meeting Committee, including NELA Directors Alicia Hayes of ACL Transportation, Brittni Bogar of All Points Limousine, and Larry White of Boston Chauffeur who helped put the event together, as well as Directors Andy Tighe and Keith Ali of Dav El/BostonCoach who worked registration. Additionally, he thanked Vendor Director Steve Crispo for always helping with selling raffle tickets, Vendor Director Jim King of Waverley Insurance who is already working on NELA’s next event, and President Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation/Boston Car Service/ETS/Maine Limousine Service for guidance and support all along the way and during the event.
Barenholtz then took the podium and cited NELA’s involvement in important issues like curb space at Logan Airport, and the NLA’s ongoing advocacy efforts and upcoming events, including the CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas, and the NLA’s Day on the Hill (held in the summer). Barenholtz encouraged New England-based company owners and managers to participate in the Day on the Hill and to consider running for NLA Board seats in next year’s election. Barenholtz also noted Tina Benson’s years of service to the association and the industry.
Joan Libby and Mitch Gurlanick of Prevost
Szilagyi shared a couple of stories about Benson’s service on the NELA Board, both light and heartfelt, as a testament of her personal integrity. He said that volunteer board members have many roles in their lives, including their full-time job as well as their family and personal life, and unpaid positions are often the first to be abandoned. Szilagyi recalled the time when Benson’s father was seriously ill shortly before NELA’s Chauffeur Appreciation Day, an annual cookout held at Logan Airport for chauffeurs, where she could have stepped aside, and everyone would have understood. Instead, Benson and her brother Carl not only drove the equipment necessary to the airport, but they also worked the grills as they had for many years. Sadly, they received the call that their father had passed during the event.
Mentalist Jon Stetson, a returning favorite, also performed for members
Benson’s impact was clear as more than a dozen testimonials were received from her industry peers who had worked closely with her over the years, personally experiencing her commitment to the NELA Board firsthand. Benson was then invited to the podium to give her thanks to the leaders who came before her who made her work possible, such as Mark Mollica (formerly of Black Tie Limousine) who started the Chauffeur Appreciation Day. She also recalled the discussion with her father before his passing, where he encouraged her to honor her commitment to the event, giving her peace of mind. After her remarks, Barenholtz again thanked her for incredible dedication and presented her with a gift from the association.
The evening also included a return performance of Jon Stetson—who was the basis of the hit CBS show The Mentalist and was a big hit at NELA’s previous holiday event. Following the entertainment, NELA held their always-popular raffles, which included the auction of a CD/NLA show pass for the upcoming Vegas show in March. Kevin Cronin of Above All Transportation/Boston Car was the winner of the show pass.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[12.26.23]