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ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso Washington, D.C. — The American Bus Association (ABA) partnered with Motor Coach Industries (MCI) to create a new program for motorcoach drivers to recognize an individual who has gone above and beyond the performance of his or her duties as motorcoach driver.
This award will be presented during ABA’s 2019 Annual Meeting & Marketplace in Louisville, Ky., to a deserving driver for professionally executing safe motorcoach operation, while providing the traveling public with the safest form of passenger transportation in the United States.
“Motorcoach drivers are the face and backbone of our industry,” said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso. “They deliver millions of passengers safely each year to their destinations providing the utmost in customer service. They are truly the representatives of our member companies. People always remember their driver and the experience they had with them on a trip.”
MCI Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning Brent Maitland said driver recognition is long overdue: “There are many critical factors in creating a great experience for the passenger, starting with the quality, design, and maintenance of the vehicle they are riding in. But none is more important than the driver. Their passion for safety, equipment care and overall passenger care keeps our industry rolling.”
The award has five benchmarks upon which each nominee will be judged. The nominee must:
• be employed as an over-the-road motorcoach driver by an ABA Member (full- or part-time)
• have a minimum of 10 years cumulative experience driving an over-the-road motorcoach
• not have any felony convictions
• not have had any driving violations in the past three years, excluding form and manner violations
• not have had a chargeable accident for a minimum of 10 years (non-chargeable incidents or incidental accidents [bumpers, mirrors] do not count against a nominee)
Nominations with supporting documents must be received to the Bus Industry Safety Council by Sept. 30, 2018. Completed nomination forms can be emailed to bisc@buses.org.
“The motorcoach industry is known for being the safest form of transportation on America’s highways. This is a direct result of our extraordinary drivers,” said Al Smith, chair of ABA’s Bus Industry Safety Council. “BISC takes pride in recognizing the drivers that make this recognition possible and we are delighted to participate in helping to select and recognize one of America’s finest with the ABA Driver of the Year Award.”
Visit buses.org for more information.
[CD0518]
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San Diego — The Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreat is less than two weeks away, but there is still time to take part in the industry event of the spring. We have fewer than 20 slots available, so the time is now for you to register—don’t miss out.
While it is too late to take advantage of our discounted room block at the five-star Hotel Pendry, we’re happy to help you find a room. Just contact our Director of Events Carly Sokoloff at 856-452-0323 or carly@chauffeurdriven.com, and she’ll do her best to get you the best rate available. And to our friends in the California, Arizona, and Nevada surrounding areas, San Diego is a relatively short and easy commute for you.
Year after year, the CD Team works hard to design this event to provide a perfect combination of first-class education and unparrelled networking events so you leave our host city feeling that you’ve received useful takeaway or your business while having a hell of a goodtime. Well, you can bet that this year’s Retreat in San Diego will be no different, and, in fact, we just may have topped ourselves.
In the past few weeks, we’ve told you about our on-point educational offerings, our one-of-a-kind dinner receptions, the exclusive, interactive Executive Game, and our trolley tour of America’s Finest City, but if you’re still on the fence about attending, just read what our past attendees have to say about our Executive Retreat events.
“I always tell people that they should go to the Executive Retreat, especially if you’re an owner/operator. You can’t beat it. I can’t say enough about the education… from learning big things to learning little things, like utilizing software, there’s so much networking to be had, it’s amazing.”
Hilary Louarti of Diamond Transportation in Tucson, Ariz.
“I found collaborating with owners in a small setting to be more relaxed and highly effective. The intimate setting gives you an opportunity to really connect with your peers on a personal and professional level. I highly recommend attending CD's Executive Retreats. An event well done.”
Joe Gulino of Gem Limousine Worldwide in Woodbridge, N.J.
“Loved, loved, loved the sessions… [San Francisco] was my second retreat and my only regret is that I didn't start attending sooner. I love the smaller groups of exceptional people, who are all focused on making our companies and relationships with one another better and stronger, in a more relaxed atmosphere. Many times, I'm skeptical about spending this much time away from the office, as the ROI usually isn't there. With the Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreat...the value is definitely there! I already have San Diego on my calendar. Can't wait!”
Tracy Salinger of Unique Limousine in Harrisburg, Pa.
“This is an event that is just the right size and length to make a difference in my business operations. I took home actionable items that I put right to use. The people that attend are like-minded and refreshing to chat with as we all deal with so many of the same issues day to day. I would recommend this event to anyone who cares about increasing the strength or their business.”
Becky Laramee of All Point Limousine in Millbury, Mass.
A complete rundown of our jam-packed schedule—including our nighttime events—can be found by clicking HERE.
Many thanks to our Platinum Sponsors Grech Motors and Ford-Lincoln Limousine and Livery Sales for making the Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreat possible. We can’t wait to see you in America’s Finest City.
Visit sandiegoretreat.com for more information.
[CD0418]
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Brian Goudie, CEO of Aurora Solutions
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Jeff Brodsly, founder & CEO of Chosen Payments, and Sabin Burrell, founder & CEO of BlueSquare, have joined forces with industry leader, Brian Goudie (formerly of First Data), to become partners under a new parent company, Aurora Solutions. The goal of this alliance is to offer unmatched industry knowledge and capabilities providing top-level, vertically driven talent to deliver support to its growing portfolios.
"Aurora Solutions' vision is to grow through vertical market distribution and technology,” said Goudie, who will act as CEO of Aurora Solutions. “I've learned in my 20 years at First Data that trying to be all things to everybody, while ambitious, doesn't always meet the mark. The industry has become vertically specialized such that you have to place strategic bets on distribution and technology leaders within those spaces. The opportunity to partner with BlueSquare and Chosen Payments embodies that vision. Jeff and Sabin have a consistent record of dominating their areas of specialization and are recognized leaders in the industry."
Jeff Brodsly, CEO of Chosen Payments
"It's no secret the payments industry is in one of the most exciting times of its history,” said Brodsly. “I could not be more proud for the Chosen Payments team and our future under Brian and the Aurora umbrella to reach unparalleled success. Once you put this much talent on one team, there is no stopping our success and I cannot wait to watch our combined forces dominate the payments arena."
BlueSquare is acknowledged as a payments industry frontrunner that serves businesses with their technology-enabled credit card processing services. They have completed more than $100M in transactions and have delivered some of the highest CAGRs in the industry.
"Assembling a world class leadership team with Brian Goudie along with Chosen Payments' Jeff Brodsly and Adam Spencer, formerly of BBVA, further demonstrates that we are one of the top dynamic payments companies left that hasn't gone the route of consolidation by a platform,” said Burrell. “We are also excited to expand and renew our relationship with our lender, Goldman Sachs, and to welcome our new capital partner, Prudential Capital Partners. Two of the most respected names in financial services who will give us the necessary runway to execute on our strategy."
With Chosen Payments and BlueSquare under the Aurora Solutions parent company, each organization will continue to thrive under each of their respected brands and will remain autonomous while combining powerful marketing and technology synergies to continue as industry disruptors. Burrell and Brodsly will remain in their respective positions at Chosen Payments and BlueSquare.
Visit chosenpayments.com for more information.
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