Don Kensey: NLA CANDIDATE

Don Kensey of Au Premiere Limousine Service, Williamstown NJ (South Jersey)

[This message was edited by XENEFOX Media Corporation / Limos.com on January 05, 2001 at 11:36 AM.]

Hello to everyone in the forum. I want to begin by thanking Michael for setting this forum up. It is a good opportunity to meet the candidates. Also, thanks for the invitation to join. Eventhough I am a Limos.com affiliate, I haven't had a chance to sit and explore the site. I will correct that oversight over the next couple of days.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Don Kensey and am a candidate for the NLA Board. I am from New Jersey and have been in the limousine business since 1992. I started with one vehicle and have grown to a current fleet size of 12(3 towncars & 9 limousines).

In my previous life, I graduated University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance in 1978 and worked my way through the corporate ranks to the position of Controller. In 1994, I decided to take a leap of faith and operate my limousine business full time.

I joined the South Jersey Limousine Association (SJLA) the same time I started my business in 1992. I am a past president for the Association and still attend SJLA Board meetings in an advisory position.

While I was the SJLA President, Jim Moseley (James Limousine) and I met with Congressman Rob Andrews to seek advice about the interstate problem of New Jersey operators being fined for picking up their clients in New York City and returning them to New Jersey. To make a long story short HR1689 and the Limousine Industry Coalition were born.

Before you start to boo me, I need to explain something. Eventhough HR1689 hasn't passed yet, we have made many allies in Washington, DC because of our exposure. Many of the Congressmen, Senators and their staffers didn't know there even was a National Limousine Association. They were only aware of the ITLA.

I made many daytrips to Washington DC visiting Congressman, Senators, and the USDOT officials on the issues of Gas Guzzler, Hours of Service for limousine drivers, overtime wage for drivers and dispatchers, and TEA21 (Transportation Equity Act for 21st century) rules affecting the operation of limousine services. I helped organize the grass roots campaign that stopped harmful language (being inserted by the bus industry)in the motor carrier safety act last year.

In New Jersey I was an integral part of the team that started the Limousine Associations of New Jersey (LANJ) and making the three state associations individual chapters.

I have met with other state associations (outside of New Jersey) to help them to establish their own lobbying effort at the state level.

I joined the NLA in 1995 and have been a dues paying member year after year. I believe there are problems that need to be addressed about the NLA, including the bylaws and setting policy. The information guiding NLA policy should flow up from the membership rather than down to it. I also believe that trying to fix the problems from the outside looking in is useless. You have to fix the problems from the inside. It would be like trying to fix a limo that won't run without lifting the hood. What are you going to do? Kick the tires?

I don't profess to have all the answers. I am smart enough to ask questions and more importantly listen to the responses. By the way, I have read some great ideas right from this forum.

As a smaller operator, I believe I share many of the same problems as other smaller operators. I want to give you a voice on the NLA Board. I want your support and your vote. As we are now aware (especially Florida) every vote does count!!!

That is what I am all about. I am open to any questions.

Thanks for the time.

Don Kensey

We would like an unequivocal statement from you as to where you stand on either termination or non-renewal of the management contract between NLA and Host Communications. We would also like an unequivocal statement on where you stand with respect to the reelection of Darryl Norman as president of NLA.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by XENEFOX Media Corporation:
Don Kensey of Au Premiere Limousine Service, Williamstown NJ (South Jersey)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dear Don,
You have my vote, and I will attempt to get as many votes for you as I can, you have been a real leader in our state association. Please feel free to call me to get information on the most recent issues challenging the NLA today.
Regards
David Seelinger

This is what a Nominating Committee gets us - candidates for director who have been begged to run to meet an arbitrary requirement of electing directors by "region" which has no support in the by-laws and who plan on "coasting" onto the board by avoiding any questions, taking no positions, and no way for the members to nominate candidates that THEY want. We have to pick from this group??? No wonder the board is a clown act.

Another candidate that looked good on paper until he was tested yesterday. Did he or didn't he? Time to take some positions, Don, whether or not you get elected to fill Bellagamba's shoes.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by XENEFOX Media Corporation:
Don Kensey of Au Premiere Limousine Service, Williamstown NJ (South Jersey)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


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Don
You also have my vote. I will work on the west coast to get votes for you. Remember everyone, its now the top five vote getters.

John Sinibaldi
NLA Board Member

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[This message has been edited by fivestaroregon (edited 12-29-2000).]