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Albany, N.Y.-based operator Premiere Transportation is proud to celebrate 35 years in business, marking over three decades of trusted service, innovation, and steady growth in the transportation industry. Since officially launching on May 1, 1990, the company has grown from a small limousine operator into one of upstate New York’s premier providers of executive, group, and luxury transportation. The company’s journey began when President David Brown acquired Luxury Limousine Service on April 30,1990, launching operations the following day as Carey Limousine of Albany. From its humble beginnings at a rented garage on Exchange Street in Colonie, N.Y., Premiere has expanded significantly—both in footprint and services—while staying true to its core values of reliability, professionalism, and safety.
Premiere Transportation President David Brown
In May 2024, Premiere marked a new era of growth with the opening of its Syracuse location, bringing its signature standard of service to Central New York. This expansion reflects the company’s continued drive to meet the needs of business, leisure, and institutional clients across the state.
Among the company’s most notable milestones:
- 1999–2015: Strategic acquisitions of key local operators, including Express Shuttle (1999), Capital Chauffeur Services (2001), Tri-City Limousine Service (2004), Fairfield Executive Livery (2006), and Diamond Limousine Service (2013).
- 2001: Moved into the current headquarters at 456 N. Pearl Street in Albany—now part of a multi-building campus.
- 2012: Brown became sole owner, guiding the company into a new era, including an investment in solar energy.
- 2015: Launched Safe Care Mobility Services, expanding into the non-emergency medical transportation sector.
- 2018: Premiere entered the motorcoach market, transforming its capabilities for group and charter services.
- May 2024: Opened a full-service Syracuse location, expanding the company’s reach throughout Central New York.
- April 2025: Acquired NE Shuttle, continuing its momentum in regional growth.
“We have an insatiable desire to provide our clients with impeccable service. In doing so, Premiere has grown our advancement in technology and customer service, which creates a seamless experience,” says Brown.
Today, Premiere Transportation operates a wide-ranging fleet of luxury sedans, SUVs, limousines, shuttles, and motorcoaches, offering service for airport travel, corporate needs, special events, and more.
Visit ridepremiere.com for more information.
[05.05.25]
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L to R: Tiffany Hinton of MOTEV, Modaser Nazir of Stay Classy Black Car Service, Harry Dhillon of Ecko Worldwide Transportation, Doug Schwartz of Executive Transportation, Mo Garkani of The COTS Group, Ned Johnson of Grech Motors, Donielle Fawcett-McKee of Personal Sedan Services, and Mike Duda of Gold Coast Town Car Service
More than 80 members representing 33 states convened in Washington, D.C., on April 28-29 for the National Limousine Association’s Day on the Hill. The annual advocacy event allowed attendees to address a bevy of issues impacting the national industry directly with several key members of Congress, including Maine Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and N.Y. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y. 17). Lawler joined members while preparing for meetings for a productive roundtable discussion on key issues including congestion pricing, which he strongly opposes. CD President Chris Weiss was also among the attendees.
L to R: Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine, Maine Senator Susan Collins, Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine, and Louie Perry of Cornerstone Government Affairs
Among the event’s top priorities:
• Restoring Bonus Depreciation: Extend Section 168(k) to allow businesses to continue deducting the full expense of new vehicle purchases in the year of acquisition, critical for fleet modernization and cost control.
• No Tax on Tips: Support provisions that would eliminate federal taxes on employee tips, improving workforce retention and supporting frontline workers.
• Enhancing Section 179 Deductions: Strengthen small business investment incentives by increasing and expanding Section 179 expensing capabilities.
• Preventing Harmful Congestion Taxes: Pass the Economic Impact of Tolling Act to require comprehensive economic analyses before cities can impose congestion pricing schemes that harm businesses and communities.
L to R: AJ Thurber of Grech Motors, Doug Schwartz, Tiffany Hinton, and Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide Transportation
• Addressing the Insurance Crisis: Establish a federal task force through the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill to study and develop solutions to address the rising costs of commercial auto insurance.
• Ensuring Airport Access and Fairness: Extend FAA grant assurances to ground transportation providers to ensure equitable access, fair treatment, and competitive fee structures at airports nationwide.
“Chauffeured ground transportation is a critical part of America's transportation system, for both business and leisure travel,” said NLA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine. “Without thoughtful policy support, operators will face unnecessary barriers to growth and sustainability. We urge Congress to protect the future of our industry and the millions of Americans it serves.”
L to R: Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, Jason Gogel of My Limousine Service, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales, Joe Gulino of Gem Worldwide, Mike Rose of My Limousine Service, and Mike Barreto of Metropolis Passenger Logistics
The two-day event featured in-depth sessions from NLA lobbying firm Cornerstone Government Affairs on current legislation impacting the industry nationally as well as advice on getting the most of out the meetings with Congressional members and their aides.
Each year, the association awards scholarships to operators to attend the event. This year’s winners included:
• Paulos Bekele of Executive Transportation
• Nelson Burton Jr. of Burton Transport
• Paula DeBiasi of Chicago CoachWorks
• Donielle Fawcett-McKee of Personal Sedan Services
• Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine
• Chad Jones of Primetime Transportation
• Hillary Louarti of Diamond Transportation
• Guri Rajput of SRTC Limo
L to R: Scott Woodruff of Majestic Limo & Coach, Matt Assolin of RMA Worldwide, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Deanna Ballard of World Travel Management, Paulos Bekele of Executive Transportation of Denver, and Kevin Retchless from ABC Companies
The NLA, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, currently represents thousands of small business owners, the majority (96%) of which operate fewer than 50 vehicles.
“On behalf of the NLA legislative co-chairs, I want to thank all the members who traveled to Washington, D.C., to make this year’s NLA Day on the Hill another successful showcase of the chauffeured transportation industry with our federal legislators. We had so many great meetings and positive responses and are excited to pursue the many opportunities. We now must enact positive legislation for our industry,” said NLA Legislative Co-Chair Matt Assolin of RMA Worldwide.
Visit limo.org for more information.
[05.05.25]
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- Category: Industry News
On April 29, the Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) held a membership meeting at the Four Points Sheraton in Nassau County. Fifty members and guests were in attendance to discuss the association’s ongoing measures to eliminate illegal operators in their market. LILA President Tom Gouldsbury of Azure Limousine is optimistic about the headway made in recent months.
L to R: Joe Marotta of Acrisure Insurance, Douglas Schwartz of Executive Transportation, Charlie Gandolfo of Dynasty Limo, LILA President Tom Gouldsbury of Azure Limousion, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romane, and Ariel Ullberg of Azure Limousine
“We are currently seeing a lot of momentum. We are here to educate the officials, officers, and legislators, and we’re starting to see real results,” he says.
Recently LILA directors were part of a Zoom meeting with the East End Police Chiefs Association. The association’s goal was to create awareness of unlicensed operators amongst law enforcement. During the meeting, LILA shared an enforcement tip sheet for officers and discussed an East End press conference for the Summer & Fall Season to alert local restaurants and venues to only hire licensed operators. Gouldsbury says that a face-to-face meeting has been scheduled with two local police chiefs to further elucidate the dangers presented by these operators.
Furthermore, it was reported that the association had a productive meeting with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, who pledged his support to the industry by agreeing to increase enforcement through the hiring of investigators to eliminate unlicensed operators. In May, Romaine will take part in a press conference with LILA and Suffolk County Police Department to alert the public to only hire licensed cars during prom season.
“Romaine has also assigned one of his legislators to work together with us so we can funnel the plate numbers and information directly to him. We really got the ball rolling,” says Gouldsbury.
Lastly, it was revealed that LILA will be featured in local newspapers on Long Island. Members can look forward to a story about the association and their current battle, along with a public service advertisement.
During the meeting LILA’s public relations representative Anthony Manetta shared a slide deck recounting the highlights of their ongoing awareness campaign, including the establishment of a public tip line to report illegal operators. Chauffeurs, owners, and the public at large are encouraged to call 631.944.8448 or email ContactLILALongIsland@gmail.com with any information regarding bad actors.
Visit lilimoassociation.com for more information.
[05.05.25]