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Some members of the 2016 LANJ Board of Directors. Standing (L to R): Honorary Director Steve Rhoads of the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association, Directors Michael Renehan of Concorde Worldwide, Christian Stochholm of New Jersey Limo Finder, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales, Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, and Brian O'Neill of Wolfington Body Company. Seated (L to R): President Jeff Shanker of A-1 Limousine, First Vice President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide, Treasurer Jon Epstein of Royal Coachman Worldwide, and Second Vice President Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments
Princeton, N.J. — The Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) held its first meeting of 2016 on January 20, where a room packed with operators and vendors represented the industry from California to New York. Chauffeur Driven’s Publisher Chris Weiss, Editor Madeleine Maccar, and Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela were among the nearly 80 people in attendance.
During a meeting that saw the continuation of LANJ Member Spotlights—a new initiative that gives the association’s newest members a chance to introduce both themselves and their companies—as well as updates on LANJ’s legislative progress and new CDL requirements, the 2016 LANJ Board of Directors was also announced:
President: Jeff Shanker of A-1 Limousine
First Vice President: Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide
Second Vice President: Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments
Secretary: Karen Gajda of Country Club Transportation
Treasurer: Jon Epstein of Royal Coachman Worldwide
PAC Chair: Peter Corelli of Lakeview Custom Coach
Executive Director: Patricia Nelson
Directors: Anthony Azara of TOC Chauffeured Transportation, Barbara Chirico of Gem Limousine Worldwide, Kay Hoskins of B&K Luxury Coach, John Maziarz of Arrive In Style Transportation, Brian O'Neill of Wolfington Body Company, Michael Renehan of Concorde Worldwide, Steve Rhoads of Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association, Tim Rose of Flyte Tyme Worldwide Transportation, Bob Schiavo of Albert’s Transportation, David Seelinger of EmpireCLS Worldwide, Eddie Somers of Arrow Limousine, Christian Stochholm of New Jersey Limo Finder, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales, and Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven
While LANJ’s Immediate Past President Jim Moseley of Trip Tracker was originally nominated to the Board of Directors, his official retirement from the industry was announced prior to the official adoption of the new board.
L to R: LANJ First Vice President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide, CD Editor Madeleine Maccar, and Robert Bellagamba of Concorde Worldwide
Shanker had much good news to share in his LANJ Report, recapping what the association has done for its members—now at a record 144 people, which earned resounding kudos for the Membership Committee on its “amazing job of getting the message out.”
Many of LANJ’s successes have been on the legislative side, as the past 12 months have seen more than 60 boots-on-the-ground meetings with legislators, regulators, and heads of not only state departments but also national ones. Educating consumers about safety has been the association’s key issue, though emphasizing the necessity of a level playing field has also helped members gain traction with elected officials. LANJ’s other committees were recognized for their contributions to the association, with initiatives and efforts from the Social Media, Marketing, Education, and newly formed Bylaw committees applauded for bringing added value to association membership.
Launched at the association’s November meeting, the LANJ Member Spotlights continued with the first meeting of the year: Scott Greenwald of AAA Worldwide Transportation, Charlie Featherstone of Acton SoCal Penske Professional Vehicles, and Keisha Richmond of America’s Prom Guide all took a few minutes to speak about themselves and their respective companies.
LANJ also presented the second installation of its Need-to-Know educational component, bringing in representatives from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to discuss the state’s new CDL requirements and testing.
Toward the end of the meeting, CD’s Chris Weiss spoke about the Chauffeur Driven brand, offering updates about the education and entertainment awaiting industry operators at the Executive Retreat, which will be held May 1-3 in New Orleans. He also raffled off a pass to the Washington, D.C. show, which was won by Michael Barreto of Flyte Tyme Worldwide.
The next LANJ meeting will be March 16.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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PRLA President Steve Rhoads King of Prussia, Pa. — The Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) returned to Maggiano’s on January 13 for its monthly membership meeting. More than 20 attendees were present, including Chauffeur Driven’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela, to discuss association business and recent strategies in the battle with TNCs.
Outgoing PRLA Treasurer Chris Haines of Michael’s Classic Limousine commenced the meeting with an account of the association’s current finances. Next, President Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Limousine discussed current business, including the renewal of the association’s NLA membership and starting the process to obtain federal tax exempt status. Rhoads continued by announcing the PRLA officers for 2016: Vice President Bob Euler of King Limousine, Secretary Mark Barnett of Best of Times Limousine, and Rhoads will all remain in their current positions while Michael Haines of Michael’s Classic Limousine was welcomed as the new treasurer.
Before turning over the floor, Rhoads informed the association that general meetings will now take place every other month, while the board will continue to meet monthly. Members were advised to check the website’s calendar for meeting dates.
PRLA’s Immediate Past President Jim Salinger of Unique Limousine (left) speaks with Vice President Bob Euler of King Limousine Next, Jagiela, Chauffeur Driven’s Industry & Brand Ambassador, took a few minutes to speak to the PRLA about upcoming magazine-sponsored events. After thanking those in the room who came to CD’s Miami Show, he highlighted the upcoming Executive Retreat in New Orleans, to be held from May 1-3, and shared the event’s schedule.
After that, Flyte Tyme Worldwide’s Michael Baretto addressed the continually difficult situation with TNCs at the Philadelphia airport. The Parkway Corporation, who manages the airport’s ground transportation, is working with livery companies to both limit TNCs in the commercial holding lot and establish a holding lot for limousines and taxis. Unfortunately, with state legislation currently in the process of determining TNC regulations, enforcement at the airport is in a “holding pattern”¾and any progress in this area is unlikely until the state passes its budget.
To close the meeting, Robert Keaton, a government relations specialist from the law firm of Bigley and Blikle, made a presentation to the organization regarding getting their voice heard with legislators. He encouraged PRLA members to establish a presence in Harrisburg by meeting with state legislators and representatives in the consumer affairs office and the public utilities commission.
In accordance with its new schedule, PRLA’s next general meeting will be held in March.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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Members of the KLA at the association’s holiday party (L to R): Pat Kiesel of R & R Limousine, BJ Burton of Limos By Knight, Kent Sparks of Lake Cumberland Limousine, Carey Fieldhouse and Eddie Fieldhouse of R & R Limousine, Val Newton of Regal Limousine, Chuck Vaughn of R & R Limousine, NeVelle Skaggs of Skaggs Limousine, Pat Burton and Tom Burton of Limos By Knight, Jenny Summitt of Xtreme Transportation, and Officer Jared Newberry of the Kentucky State Police Vehicle Enforcement Division
Louisville, Ky. — The Kentucky Limousine Association (KLA) welcomed the new year with its December 8 meeting holiday party at Z's Oyster Bar and Grille.
With the close of 2015 came revised bylaws and the election of a new board, where each member will serve a two-year term. The KLA will now be led by:
President: Kent Sparks of Lake Cumberland Limousine
First Vice President: BJ Burton of Limos By Knight
Second Vice President: NeVelle Skaggs of Skaggs Limousine
Secretary: Carey Fieldhouse of R & R Limousine
Treasurer: Jenny Summitt of Xtreme Transportation
Former Secretary and newly elected President Sparks is enthusiastic about what he calls “a passing of the torch of sorts.”
“Carey had been the president of the KLA since its formation nine years ago,” he says. “I am excited to have been chosen to lead the KLA for a two-year term and look forward to continuing its presence in the national front of associations for our industry.”
On a more somber note, Sparks added that the new Kentucky governor has created changes in police ranks at the state level, causing longtime association ally Public Affairs Officer Jared Newberry to take a position elsewhere and saying that “he will be sorely missed.”
The next KLA meeting will be February 9 and hosted by Skaggs Limousine in Elizabethtown, Ky.
Visit kylimo.org for more information.
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