Top LBOA Officer And Key Industry Figure Resigns Posts

NEW YORK — Guy Palumbo, the director of operations for New York-based Partners Executive Transportation and a top officer in the Luxury Base Operators Association, will leave both posts effective Friday, Dec. 4.

Palumbo released a statement to the industry Tuesday explaining his decision. (See below).

Palumbo is credited as one of the founders of LBOA, which has emerged as a pivotal force among industry associations and a strong advocate on behalf of operator interests in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The organization, founded in 2008, was recently nominated as a finalist for the 2010 LCT Association Award of Excellence. The winner of the award will be announced at the 2010 International LCT Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 26, 2010.

LBOA also received the Limousine Digest 2009 Association Of The Year Award in Atlantic City, N.J. on Nov. 10.

As a LBOA officer, Palumbo was known for his prolific e-mail updates and consistent communication with LBOA members and the wider industry. He was by any measure an aggressive industry activist who sounded the alarms on regulatory and legislative matters that hurt operator interests and rallied fellow operators to work toward common goals.

“I will be looking for consulting work in the ground transportation industry,” said Palumbo, who leaves his posts on good terms with an eye toward staying with the chauffeured transportation industry.

Because LBOA bylaws require its officers to hold positions within the chauffeured transportation industry, Palumbo must resign as secretary/treasurer.

At Partners and LBOA, Palumbo has worked closely with Sergio Sanchez, the executive vice president of Partners and the president of LBOA. Partners Executive Transportation was recently nominated as a finalist in the 51+ vehicles category for the 2010 LCT Operator Of The Year Awards. The company also is the official transportation provider of the New York Yankees and ranks in the LCT 100 Largest Fleets list.

“His tireless efforts are unparalleled,” Sanchez said today. “I have never met anyone as diligent and with as great a work ethic as he has. He will be dearly missed. And we wish him well on any endeavor he goes into.”

Sanchez said no decisions have been made yet on Palumbo’s successors at LBOA and Partners.

Source: Martin Romjue, LCT Magazine.

Statement from Guy Palumbo:

To All LBOA Members, Friends and Industry Associates:

Since there have been so many people asking me about my status with LBOA, I must explain.

I have resigned my position with Partners Executive Transportation, effective the close of business on December 4, 2009 and this action requires that I also resign from LBOA.

LBOA Bylaws require that to maintain an elected office, I would have to hold a similar position in another LBOA member firm and I will not be doing so.

This has been a difficult decision for me and I thank all of you who contacted me with your kind words and support.

I feel very bad about not completing my 2 year term and hope this does not hurt LBOA. I offer my assistance to the new Secretary/Treasurer and any other member for whatever transition is needed. Contact me for any background information needed as LBOA moves forward as I really want to see LBOA grow and further help the industry.

I am honored that the Board of Directors nominated me and to have been a finalist for Association Member of the Year. I am even prouder that LBOA won the Limousine Digest “2009 Limousine Digest Association of the Year Award”. It is unheard of that a new association would win the award in its first year of work.

LBOA is also a finalist for the 2009 LCT Association of the Year. I hope LBOA wins this one and everyone goes to Las Vegas to support our association – good luck.

Keep me in mind and remember to invite me to the meetings so we can keep up our friendship.

I have not set up a private cell phone number or email address but will let you know when I do.

All the best in the upcoming holiday season and I wish everyone a great, healthy, happy and prosperous 2010 New Year.

Most cordially and fraternally, Guy B. Palumbo