NLA News Flash

Here's a news flash for y'all. Good things happen when fresh air and sunlight waft into a stale, dank room. Once the news of what the cozy deal between NLA and Host looks like got out, interesting alternatives start to come out of the woodwork. Try this one on for size.

Tom Mazza, Senior Editor of LCT magazine, has made a written offer to NLA to assume management of NLA. Regrettably, Tom would no longer be able to act as journalist for LCT, but he would become the Executive Director of NLA and his company would enter into a management contract on far more advantageous terms than the putative deal with Host Communications. Tom has sent a letter to all NLA board members enclosing a biographical sketch of his substantial hands-on experience in the business, as well as "talking points" for a contract that his attorney would draw-up at an appropriate time.

It's a bit late and the details of Tom's limousine industry experience and his proposal need more attention than I can give them tonight, so I'll post up tomorrow some of the details. This is certainly a welcome proposal and should be considered very seriously. Even though I'm personally opposed to a management contract, this one is the right price and my reaction is I'd go with the management contract if it comes with Tom as the Executive Director. Can NLA get anyone any better?

By the way, part of his proposal is that it would start February 15 and he would immediately open NLA's office in Washington, D.C., where I and others (like Scott Solombrino and David Seelinger) have said all along that it belongs.

It will be interesting to see where this goes by tomorrow. More in the morning

James H. Joseph
Pegasus Chauffeured
Motor Cars
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
[EMAIL]jhj@pegasus-pittsburgh.com[/EMAIL

[This message was edited by JHJ on January 15, 2001 at 09:58 PM.]

I have been thinking about this since early this morning and I can't think of a better person to be the NLA Executive Director. He has prior limousine experience but isnt in the business anymore, he seems to be honest and straightforward, and he seems to have organizational skills which a executive directors needs. I hope the NLA board accepts his proposal.

Wade Randolph

A fellow Italian too I might add, that alone is worth thousands of dollars to the NLA coffers. I'd renew immediately.

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I have received an incredible amount of support in my bid (35 letters as of today) to take management of the NLA. If anyone would like a copy of the proposal, e-mail me or call me 215-914-1448 and I will fax it immediately.

I want to make a couple of things clear,
1. I only made the decision a few weeks ago, there was no grand plan to do this. The simple fact is, the more I learned about the NLA situation, the more I learned the more I realized I wanted to be the solution to the problem.

2. My proposal is simple $335,000 the first year, office in Washington DC, industry insider as Executive Director (me), focus on first class education and member services. I would resign from LCT as it would be a conflict.

3. Under the current NLA/Host deal, there are a number of "commissioned" items for the management company. I give back 4 of them and only take commission on new members.

I have been reading enough discontent from members to fill a 180 stretch. Where are you? Will you step up and help me? I need the support of people who know me and the kind of person I am. I have been told my people on the Board that it doesn't really matter what the members want, I disagree.

A great man once said, "Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people."

I believe with all my heart that us "ordinary" people can produce an extraordinary result.

Tom,

Any word on getting your proposal to me in TEXT, or WORD form so we can get here, available to download?

Curious, I wonder what holds more weight: 100 NLA Members who want radical reform and change, or 1000 who simply don't care.

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Michael -
You left out the key alternative - nine arrogant and stupid NLA directors.

James H. Joseph
Pegasus Chauffeured
Motor Cars
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
jhj@pegasus-pittsburgh.com

Dear Friends,
I want to take a minute before Las Vegas to tell you what is happening to me.

First of all to recap I submitted a proposal on January 13 to set up my own management company and become the Executive Director of the NLA. I would resign from LCT.

My basic proposal consisted of 4 elements:
1. I would set up my office in Washington D.C
2. The membership would be represented by an
"industry insider", namely me.
3. I would be at least 25% cheaper than Host
4. Emphasis on education and member services

Darryl Norman signed a contract with Host on December 22. There are a number of Board Members who were not aware of this and insist that they did not vote on the contract. Two of these Board members encouraged me to toss my hat in the ring. Ron Sorci, who was on the negotiating team for the Board, insists that final consensus with Host was not reached. He submitted but withdrew his own proposal to manage the association and he is supporting me without reservation.

Host, Darryl, and a number of Board members believe there is no controversy at all. They believe that a valid 2 year contract is in effect with Host Communications of Lexington, KY and there is nothing to discuss. I believe that even if a valid contract is in effect, the NLA HAS AN ESCAPE CLAUSE. This clause says the Board must accept Host's choice of Executive Director. Since there is no Executive Director at present (Host is interviewing), I believe this is an out.

I believe with all my heart that the member's want exactly what I want. I have asked people who support me to write letters on my behalf. SO FAR 65 NLA Members and 8 LOCAL LIMOUSINE ASSOCIATIONS INCLUDING THE 2 LARGEST have written direct letters of support. (I AM HOPING FOR 100 LETTERS BY VEGAS)

I have been told by certain Board members that the letters and Member Support do not count. (1 Board member told me he could get 100 letters in a day)

Some Board Members believe the Host deal will be rescinded, Host will be given a 6-month temporary deal and a new RFP process (Request for Proposal) will begin. I am working with the Association of Association Executives and I will submit a detailed 20 page contract and RFP directly to the Board in Las Vegas.

I NEED YOUR HELP
If you want:
1)Office in DC
2) Representation by an industry insider
3) Significant reduction in mgmt fees
4) Emphasis on education and service to the members

than you will support me. I need your letter of support and I need you to be available on Sunday in Las Vegas.

I am somewhat discouraged but will fight on. I AM DOING THIS SIMPLY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN MY HEART I AM THE BEST REMEDY FOR THIS ASSOCIATION. Believe me, this will be no financial windfall for me of any kind.

I will continue to write for LCT and educate and mentor small operators throughout the industry. I have walked a mile in every one of your shoes. I have raced to the airport when a client was stranded. I have had that sickening feeling at 4 AM when your driver has overslept. I understand the issues and I most definitely want to be YOUR voice in Washington.

If the members have to live with a deal that I believe is unfair to them then I will bide my time and re-enter the fray when it is appropriate. I have been in contact with a DC commercial real estate agent and have scouted an office location in DC. I have a budget and I believe I can quickly hire an effective 3-person internal staff. I have the funds in hand to set up the office so that is not a concern.

Some people on the Board have questioned whether I have the management training to be an effective Executive Director, I am confident that I do. If you have any questions or would like copies of anything, call me at 215-914-1448

Tom's proposal is a good one. However, it won't mean a hill of beans if the Board votes for the Host contract as written.

My position is clear on this matter. We need nine votes from the Board to block this agreement which was not voted on by the majority of the Board. It is my desire to extend the Host contract out for six months to begin the process of collecting new RFP's. The previous task was botched. Tom can submit a new proposal and so Host. A new commitee of which I have volunteer to head would comprise of three Board members and two from the membership. We plan on keeping the Board and the membership apprised on every step of the process.

Giving Tom the contract right up front might please a number of members, but it could create negative comments on how his contract was pushed through the Board.

I feel Tom has a good shot at the job, I just feel he needs to go through the entire process.

Some on the Board have stated that "Host will walk if their contract is recinded" I say, let them. There is life beyond Host, and we can run the association. Another comment made by a Board member is "Host wants to be bought out of this contact" several Board members including myself stronly feel there was no contract at all! We did not vote for it. W.C. Fields had a great saying in one of his films "Here kid, here's a dollar, go away, you bother me." If Host wants to play hardball, then here's my dollar.

John Sinibaldi
NLA Board Member

John,
Let me be perfectly clear, I am preparing an RFP so that I am prepared to deliver one in Vegas. I am not asking for a "backdoor deal". What I am asking is that the members of this Association be heard. And if the Board insists that they have a 2 year deal with Host, then DEMAND:

1. That Host open an office in Washington D.C
2. That they select a person with strong industry
knowledge and national credibility as Executive
Director.
3. That commissions are reduced and some items
become "non-commissionable." and that
4. A new commitment is made to Education and Member Services.

Tom

I will be very clear. Before you can present your proposal we need nine votes to stop the Host contact cold. If we don't get the votes, it doesn't matter if there were 100 other proposals.

Yes, I would like to see your presentation. But first things first. We need the votes to stop the contract. It would be best to use this time and effort to lobby for those votes.

John Sinibaldi
NLA Board Member