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LANJ establishes the Barbara J. Chirico Scholarship Program
The Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) is proud to announce the Barbara J. Chirico Scholarship Program, which has been established to assist the children of current LANJ member families who will be attending college, trade school, or post-graduate school in the coming year.
The Scholarship Program has been established in the memory of Barbara Chirico, founder of Gem Worldwide Transportation, past president of the National Limousine Association, and longtime LANJ member and officer who passed away in January 2024. A chauffeured transportation industry trailblazer, Chirico was well known for her zest for life and the help she gave to others.
The parent(s) of each scholarship applicant must be a current/active owner or employee of a LANJ member company at the time of the scholarship award.
Three scholarships are being offered:
- Barbara Chirico Academic Excellence Scholarship ($2,500)
- Barbara Chirico Community Service Scholarship ($1,000)
- Barbara Chirico Leadership Scholarship ($500)
Scholarship Program applications will be emailed to all LANJ members on April 1, 2024.
Application submissions will be considered by the Scholarship Review Committee, which will be comprised of at least five LANJ board members and Barbara's daughter Deanna Gulino of Gem Worldwide. Committee members shall be appointed annually by the LANJ president.
All completed applications must be submitted by June 30, 2024. Scholarship awards will be made by July 15, 2024.
Following are the criteria for scholarship selection:
- Application completion and thoroughness
- Current GPA and school performance
- Volunteer activities, sports, and club memberships
- Work ethic and demonstration of responsibility
- Detailed narrative that demonstrates the applicant's need, strong moral character, and family values
Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the scholarship recipient's educational institution. Scholarship recipients will continue to be eligible for four years of college term if they maintain a GPA of 3.2 each year. Copies of college transcripts can be submitted directly to the Scholarship Committee annually for payment of the scholarship award. Recipients will be capped to four years of awards.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
[04.01.24]
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Thomas Zachary IV
Thomas “Tom” Zachary IV, a longtime sales representative for manufacturer Executive Coach Builders, passed away on March 16 after a battle with cancer. He was 60.
Tom was born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, graduating from Lower Marion High School in Ardmore. According to his family, he had an affinity for “anything with wheels,” which dominated the trajectory of his career and led him to the chauffeured transportation community.
He began his automotive career closer to home at the popular Wilkie family of dealerships, located in the Philly area. However, he’s best known for selling larger vehicles as part of the sales team at Missouri-based Executive Coach Builders. He joined the company more than two decades ago and spearheaded the manufacturer’s New Jersey-based facility, Executive Coach East, as general manager and sales manager.
Executive Coach Builders President David Bakare remembers Tom as a special talent, a gentle man among gentlemen.
“He was more of a brother than an employee,” says Bakare. “He would always say, ‘We’ll work it out, there’s never a bad deal.’ His optimism was contagious and soon enough you believe it’s going to work out.”
Bakare says that Tom was a fiercely private person, and he only learned of the seriousness of his health struggles shortly before he passed.
“I think he strongly believed that he was going to beat this,” says Bakare of Tom’s famous optimism. “He handled it well to the end.”
Known for being humble, quick to help, and chronically optimistic, he built many enduring relationships throughout the industry over the years, often becoming good friends with his clients and colleagues.
In fact, it was through his job at Executive Coach East that he first interacted with his future bride and life partner, Lisa. With offices located across the street from each other, the casual conversations soon blossomed into a romance, and they married in 2017. For several years prior to the pandemic, Lisa—an accomplished leader in her own right—assisted her husband at the Executive Coach facility, including lending her talents to marketing.
Although he did not have children of his own, Lisa says that he was a loving presence for her three children, Marriah, Christopher, and Alisa Hannah.
“The word that comes to mind when I think of him is ‘loyal.’ He was loyal to his limo industry family, he was loyal to his loved ones and friends, he was our anchor,” says Lisa about her husband of seven years. “There’s nothing that he wouldn’t do for us or the people he loved. I find comfort in knowing that he is at peace.”
Tom was also a man of faith as a member of his local church, Change Church. While he and Lisa fought cancer privately—as was his wish—she says he did find comfort and strength in his spirituality and through prayer with his fellow congregants. According to his family, he was active in the church community and served as an assistant leader for one of the church’s groups.
Tom was laid to rest on March 22 following a celebration of life with his Change Church family. In addition to his wife, Lisa, and stepchildren, he is survived by sister Carol Zachary Smith (Jeffrey); nephew Ahmad Zachary; two nieces, Aliyah Zachary and Jordan Smith; and grand-niece Kodilei Zachary Atwell.
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ILLBA Board Nominations Now Open
The Illinois Limousine & Bus Association (ILLBA) is currently accepting applications for its upcoming election. There are five seats up for grabs for the ILLBA Board of Directors, including one vendor/supplier seat, and each is for a two-year term. The deadline for application submission is Friday, March 29 at 5:00 p.m. CT.
ILLBA bylaws stipulate the following criteria for nominees:
- ILLBA member (operator or vendor) in good standing for two (2) consecutive years prior to election (for exception consideration, please contact Jim Jordan, Nominating Committee Chair)
- Timely payment of dues prior to submission of the Slate of Candidates by the Nominating Committee
- Terms are for two years
The next scheduled ILLBA meeting (online), Coffee With the ILLBA, is slated for April 16.
For additional information, email ILLBA Nominating Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Lux Tux Transportation at james@luxtux.com or visit illba.org.
NLA Accepting Applications for Day on the Hill Scholarship
The National Limousine Association (NLA) will host its annual Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C., this May 14-15, an event that connects the industry with their elected representatives to educate them on the issues and concerns facing chauffeured transportation. To further encourage participation from all walks of the industry, the association has once again launched its Scholarship Program, which covers the cost for first-time attendees. The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 28.
It includes:
- Up to three (3) paid nights at the District Wharf to be booked and paid by the NLA (Hyatt House)
- One (1) paid dinner at the Board/PAC Fundraiser Dinner on Tuesday, May 14 at La Vie in the District Wharf
- One (1) paid dinner at the Day on the Hill Dinner on Wednesday, May 15 at Hank's Oyster Bar at the District Wharf
- Building relationships with your representatives in Washington, D.C. on behalf of your business and the industry
- Networking and education to grow your business
Criteria for applicants:
- Be an NLA member! This program is for members only.
- Own a chauffeured transportation company that has at least one (1) vehicle
- Have the required local/state/federal licensing and proper insurance
- Have never attended an NLA Day on the Hill previously
- Have a passion for educating your elected representatives in Washington regarding the chauffeured transportation industry
More information about the scholarship is available at limo.org or click here to submit an application.
[03.26.24]