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Founder of Aristocat Transportation Sue Jarvis
Warren, Mich — Aristocat Transportation recently celebrated its 29th anniversary of business. Founded by Sue Jarvis as single-vehicle operation run from her house, the company has grown into a well-respected company serving corporate, retail, and special events clients in the Detroit area.
Jarvis first entered the chauffeured ground transportation industry in October 1987 when she purchased an eight-passenger 1982 Cadillac limousine, and immediately started marketing her nascent business by purchasing a Yellow Pages ad, networking with hotels and local vendors, and pitching her service to friends. Because of her hustle and dedication, within one year the company was able to add a sedan to her fleet. In just five years, with help from a strong network, a business degree from Oakland University, and a “business-savvy husband,” Jarvis quickly expanded to a 22-vehicle operation. Later, Aristocat acquired the assets of two companies, Peerless Executive Limousine in 1992 and Exotic Transportation in 1995, and then a third, All Class Transportation in 2008.
In addition to running an active and expanding company, Jarvis has been active in industry associations, including sitting on the NLA board for 3 years. She and Aristocat have also received several industry awards, and she was a finalist for operator of the year.
Jarvis attributed Aristrocat’s success to her love of taking care of her clients, ensuring people are being safely and professionally chauffeured to their destinations, and being an active member in the community. In the future, Jarvis plans to continue to stay the company’s core values, and focus on their clients as well as the local community.
Visit aristocattransportation.com for more information.
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Chicago — Signature Transportation Group (STG) recently announced that they will be merging operations with Orlando Select Transportation effective December 1, 2016.
STG and Orlando Select, which will now operate as Signature Transportation Group Orlando, have partnered together to better serve the expanding convention and tourism markets in Chicago and Orlando.
Because both cities are emerging convention markets with opposing busy seasons, the newly-reformed STG and STG Orlando will share staff, vehicles, chauffeurs and best practices to accommodate peak seasons in Chicago and Orlando throughout the year. The partnership will bring uniformity to each of the two markets, the existing client base of both companies and the ground transportation industry as a whole.
Identical service in both Orlando and Chicago will give current affiliates, customers, DMCs, and event planners peace of mind, knowing that they will not have to worry about service in those two markets.
“We are creating a unique model in our industry, one that I’m not sure has ever existed,” said STG Chicago CEO Sal Milazzo. “We’re not expanding into other markets in hopes of soliciting national accounts but rather to create uniform service for those companies servicing global travelers and in need of reliable providers with the very highest service standards."
In preparation for Orlando’s impending high-traffic convention season, new vehicles are already en route to the new STG Orlando facility. The updated fleet includes new Cadillac Escalade SUVs and XTS sedans, Grech Executive Buses, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters.
STG Orlando has also invested in new reservations software, a mobile passenger app, and a brand new 10,000-square-foot facility to prepare for the expected revenue increase and demand.
“We’ve created a 'customer first’ mentality at Signature Transportation Group, and our customers love it,” Milazzo said.
To maintain this customer-focused mentality, and share best practices and resources across both cities, STG has tapped Kevin Duff to lead the operations as president of STG Chicago and Orlando, while Orlando Select CEO Gregg Moulton will transition to serve as CEO of STG Orlando.
Moulton expressed his excitement by saying, “[As STG Orlando] now we have the opportunity to better serve our clients with more resources, a larger fleet and increased service capabilities. We’ll still be the same Orlando Select our clients know and love, just with a different name, and we’ll have increased efficiencies that will result in better rates and services for everyone.”
Visit signaturetg.com or orlandosselect.com for more information.
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GCLA’s Lobbyist Gregg Cook
On October 19, Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) Treasurer David Kinney of API Global Transportation opened up his West Sacramento office to host more than 60 northern California owners, operators, and vendors for a mini GCLA summit.
Early birds were treated to a Microbrew Sampler Station and hors d’oeuvres. “Brew Talk” TV host Nick Macaluso offered insights on each of the award-winning Sacramento Valley beers being poured.
New vehicle displays by sponsors Team Superstores of Vallejo, Nor Cal Vans, Napa Ford, and Coach West allowed attendees a chance to explore a new Ford Transit van conversion and a California-compliant MKT stretch, as well as test drive new Cadillac sedans as well as a Lincoln Continental—and many in attendance had signed up for their own livery-equipped version of Lincoln’s flagship vehicle.
Investigator Cynthia McReynolds of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
Janeiri Galvan from Bauer’s Pre-Owned Sales and Tony Fuller from Interstate Oil Cardlock were on hand to help operators save money on equipment and fuel.
Then, the evening’s featured speakers provided updates and insights on operating in compliance with both state and federal requirements in the simplest and most cost-effective manners.
Investigator Cynthia McReynolds of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reviewed current audit trends and enforcement actions. Her tips for assisting the PUC in taking action against illegal operators were well received; so too as were her steps for leveling the playing field, as McReynolds also fielded several operators’ complaints about the shameless practices of TNCs.
Barret Business Services gave attendees nuts-and-bolts information on workers’ compensation, taxes, and payroll prep savings that everyone with employees could relate to.
Members of the GCLA
GCLA Lobbyist Gregg Cook of Government Affairs Consulting briefly summarized the many actions taken during this legislative session. Applause greeted the news of a one-year extension for 120” stretch owners to comply with the required fifth door and escape-window retrofits previously mandated by state laws.
The association will be holding its Northern California Holiday Party on December 6 at Napa Valley Ford and Lincoln, while the GCLA annual meeting will be at the LAX Marriott on December 13.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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