NLA Announces 2016-2019 Board of Directors, Issues Statement Regarding Super Bowl

Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide Transportation in Orange, Calif. Marlton, N.J. — The National Limousine Association recently held its annual board election, with six operators elected to the 2016-2019 Board of Directors.

The results are as follows: 

At-Large: Jason Kaplan of The Driver Provider in Phoenix, Ariz.
Central Region: Diane Forgy of Overland Chauffeured Services in Leawood, Kan.
Northeast Region: Javaid Chaudhry of NYG Limousine in Rosedale, N.Y.
West Region: Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide Transportation in Orange, Calif.
Canada: Joe Ironi of Global Alliance Worldwide Chauffeured Services in Toronto, Ontario
International: Michael Oldenburg of United Limousines AG in Germany

This term will be the first for Kaplan and Chaudhry. Forgy and Ironi, both incumbents, will be serving their third consecutive terms while Illingworth and Oldenburg, also incumbents, will be serving their second consecutive terms. 

Diane Forgy of Overland Chauffeured Services in Leawood, Kan. "Regardless of the outcome of the election, all of you are wonderful assets to our industry, but most importantly, to our association," said Nominating Committee Co-Chair Steve Qua of Company Car and Limousine in Cleveland, Ohio.

NLA President Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation in Petaluma, Calif., added, "On behalf of the entire membership, we want to thank each candidate for their willingness to serve this association and its members".

The new members of the board will take their elected seats on February 28 in Las Vegas. 

In other news, the NLA recently issued a statement regarding Uber (not Lyft or any other TNCs, thanks to an exclusive sponsorship) being permitted at the Super Bowl for the first time. The association wants to remind Super Bowl 50 attendees that chauffeured ground transportation offers a safe and reliable means of travel to the game, and that the surge pricing common with Uber is forbidden within the NLA.

Joe Ironi of Global Alliance Worldwide Chauffeured Services in Toronto, Ontario Also related to Super Bowl 50, online news provider, Quartz, recently published an article that erroneously stated that Uber would be the only transportation service allowed near Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Despite a statement of retraction from Quartz, NLA President Gary Buffo issued a response:

“NLA members will offer pre-arranged ground transportation to and from the ‘Big Game,’ just as we have for the past 49 years. We are proud of our relationships with the Super Bowl Host Committees, providing fans with the most reliable source of transportation to and from the game. As always, unlike Uber or Lyft, we will never blindside our customers with price gouging or any of the other uncertainties—some downright frightening—that come along with digital hitchhiking.”

A link to the Quartz article is available in the “On the Wire” section below in this newsletter.

Visit limo.org for more information.

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