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Laura Canady
Gary Buffo
Robert Alexander
Scott Solombrino
Joe Ironi
Marlton, N.J. — The National Limousine Association (NLA) recently announced the results of its elections for the 2018-19 NLA Board Officers.
The five officers are:
President: Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation in Petaluma, Calif.
First Vice President: Laura Canady of SC Express Chauffeured Transportation in Aiken, S.C.
Second Vice President: Joe Ironi of Global Alliance Worldwide Chauffeured Services in Toronto, Ont.
Treasurer: Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation in Rockville, Md.
Secretary: Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoach in Boston, Mass.
All five officers are incumbents with several years’ experience in their roles. Board directors for the ’18-’21 term were announced in December.
The NLA is gearing up for its May 22-23 Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C., which will be hosted at District Wharf.
Visit limo.org for more information.
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MLA Vice President Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady and MLA President Michael Greene of A Platinum Plus Limousines
Dundalk, Md. — The Maryland Limousine Association (MLA) met up at Jimmy’s Seafood February 20 for a day of vendor presentations, association updates, and general industry news.
With the executive board presiding over the meeting, members got to hear from President Michael Greene of A Platinum Plus Limousines, Vice President Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady, Treasurer Anthony Shoats of Xquisite Transportation, and Secretary/Membership Chair Kim Klein of Lasting Impressions Deejay and Limousine Service at the beginning of the gathering.
The general meeting portion detailed the association’s total assets and balance sheet. As the MLA hasn’t collected membership dues for several years, it is resuming the practice to put money back in its coffers.
More broadly, the meeting also explored then-recently proposed Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) revisions, which were put into immediate action after the Public Service Commission unanimously accepted them. Changes include the addition of driver screening standards, amended definitions of both “Inspection Certificate” and “License,” an increased vehicle model year allowance, and demanding both specified locations and visible logos for TNC vehicles.
The February 13 hearing of the Government of the District of Columbia’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles wherein the neighboring Virginia Limousine Association had the opportunity to present its perspective and feedback was also discussed, as many MLA members operate within the district.
Vendors who offered presentations about their services included former operator Douglas Donaldson who now works in the healthcare industry with US Health Advisors, Patsy Anderson of Woman’s Expo Forum/Baltimore Business Alliance, Ray Gavino of Translogic Executive, and Bryan Johnson of Martens Johnson Insurance Agency—who wound up treating all in attendance to lunch.
The meeting’s main guest speaker was Charlotte Crenson of Maryland’s Department of Health and Human Services. Crenson stressed the importance of the Safe and Sober Program, which aims to curtain underage drinking, help keep young drivers safe, educate students and adults about the dangers of drunk driving, and more. Part of the initiative includes a list of “local limousine companies whose owners have agreed to sign the Baltimore County Safe and Sober Pledge,” which states: “Limousine Company employees will not allow minors to use or transport alcohol, tobacco, or any other drugs while using their transportation services.” With prom season rapidly approaching, bolstering safety measures to keep students, other passengers, and drivers safe is increasingly important.
The MLA will be holding a general membership teleconference in July, with a physical meeting in October.
Visit mdlimoassoc.org for more information.
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GCLA Legislative Chairman and Immediate Past President David Kinney of API Global Transportation
On the heels of its Day on the Hill earlier this year, the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) has been notified that Uber’s days of shirking the same laws, regulations, and classifications dictating how traditional ground transportation outfits operate may be numbered.
On March 19, the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC’s) Commissioner Liane Randolph announced a proposal aiming to classify Uber as Charter Party Carrier that needs to apply for a TCP (or Transportation Charter Permit) license as such. Pinning the notoriously dodgy TNC as a TCP puts it in the same category as any other ground transportation operation—meaning that it would be treated much more like a chauffeured service, and thus being one step closer to a more level playing field for California operators.
It is GCLA’s hope that should this proposal be adopted in the influential California market, it would set a precedent for other states to follow suit.
The association’s Legislative Chairman and Immediate Past President David Kinney of API Global Transportation and its longtime lobbyist Gregg Cook of Government Affairs Consulting have twice met face-to-face with Randolph in the past year to both discuss and advocate for GCLA’s position regarding TNCs and other industry issues.
Should this proposal be approved by Randolph’s fellow commissioners, it will still have to pass through the state’s congress. The CPUC’s next meeting is April 26; with Randolph’s support adding significant legitimacy to the proposal, the association feels its approval could come as early as late next month.
In the meantime, the GCLA’s legislative committee will be submitting a formal response to the CPUC commissioners further detailing their support of the proposed decision, and the association itself will be closely monitoring any developments. Any additional comments from the industry will be accepted by the CPUC.
Additional details on the proposal can be found here.
The next GCLA meeting will be April 10 in Los Angeles.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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