L to R: MLA Treasurer Quentin Bassey of RSTQ Transportation, Vendor Director Bryan Johnson of Martens Johnson/Hilb Group, Vice President (and show pass winner) Ray Gavino of Translogic Executive, and CD President Chris Weiss
On April 8, the Maryland Livery Association (MLA) returned to Jimmy’s Famous Seafood in Baltimore for a membership meeting. The luncheon event welcomed 40 members and guests, including CD President Chris Weiss and Editor Rob Smentek. The information-packed meeting welcomed guest speakers and offered plenty of opportunities to discuss the state of the industry in the Maryland/D.C./Virginia region.
CD Editor Rob Smentek (left) and Affiliate Central ad winner Carlo D’Addario of American Limousine
MLA President Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines started the meeting by welcoming attendees and thanking them for taking the time off their busy schedules to take part in the afternoon. He then introduced Weiss, who was described as “an amazing supporter of the MLA and the industry.” Weiss took a few minutes to recap the record-breaking Vegas CD/NLA Show, and provided a preview of the upcoming CD/NLA Executive Retreat held in Savannah from June 8-11. To encourage members to take part in the Retreat—and raise money for the association—CD and the NLA donated a pass for the event to be auctioned at the meeting. Incredibly, the single pass was auctioned a total of three times, with the proceeds totaling $2,650. First the pass was won by MLA Treasurer Quentin Bassey of RSTQ Transportation for $950, then Vendor Director Bryan Johnson of Martens Johnson/Hilb Group bid $900, and ultimately the pass went home with Vice President Ray Gavino of Translogic Executive, who bid an additional $800. Weiss then auctioned off a CD swag gift bag, which also included over a year of ads in CD magazine’s Affiliate Central. That prize garnered $1100 for the association and was won by Carlo D’Addario of American Limousine.
L to R: Mike Blackburn of Limo Anywhere, Chris Weiss, and MLA President Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines
“I was exceptionally pleased to see such generosity from the association members,” says Weiss. “CD is proud to have helped raise nearly $4000 for the MLA.”
Next, Joseph discussed a recent discussion with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Maryland. He reported that the PSC is clamping down on illegal operators at the airports, as they’ve expanded to “epic proportions.” Joseph then advised all members to photograph (with time stamp) the license plates of all illegal operators to turn them into the commission. While acknowledging that it can be somewhat difficult to find the courage to turn in an uninsured operator, he reminded MLA members that it’s a necessary action to prevent a potentially fatal accident.
Quetin Bassey (left) and Executive Secretary Japneet Suri of Executive CLS discuss the upcoming MLA Conference on July 23-24
Joseph then welcomed guest speaker Jill Miller of Chesapeake Employers insurance Company, a workman’s comp provider. She briefly covered her company’s services and discussed the potential for an affinity program with the MLA. Miller is returning for a future meeting to provide a comprehensive “Workman’s Comp 101” for the members.
Guest speaker Jill Miller of Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company addresses the 40 members in attendance
Operator and vendor members next took part in a roundtable discussion moderated by Bassey and Executive Secretary Japneet Suri of Executive CLS covering the current economic climate, namely the situation resulting from the tariffs instituted by President Trump. Insurance industry members Johnson, Alex Church of Acrisure, and Morgan Quinn of Philadelphia Insurance all agreed that it’s too soon to panic or make predictions as to how insurance will be affected. Compliance, specifically regarding Certificates of Insurance with affiliates, was also discussed, and Mike Blackburn of Limo Anywhere stated that the compliance suite offered by his platform can assist operators with ease. Gavino also shared a bit about pros and cons of running nonemergency medical transportation.
Insurance supergroup (L to R): Bryan Johnson, Morgan Quinn of Philadelphia Insurance, and Alex Church of Acrisure 
Finally, Joseph announced a two-day MLA Soiree to be held July 23-24 at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Md. The event promises to offer a day of golf and local tours as well as a second day of educational sessions, which will likely cover insurance, technology, and financial literacy. The MLA executive board offered a few details including a vendor showcase and potential cross-promotion with other regional associations. More details will follow in the coming weeks.
The next MLA meeting is scheduled for May 6 at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood.
Visit marylandliveryassociation.org for more information.
[04.15.25]