Our Team

The Staff and Board of the Livery Round Table, Inc. work extremely hard to protect, defend and represent the interests of the livery industry. Each have a background that brings experience, enthusiasm, diligence and intelligence to the table. 

Dr. Avik Kabessa

CEO- Carmel Car and Limousine Service

Dr. Avik Kabessa is the pre-eminent leader of the New York City livery industry. His tireless efforts to ensure that the livery industry has thrived through both good and bad economic times has lead Dr. Kabessa to not only create The Livery Round Table, Inc., but also to become to voice of the most important sector of the private transportation network in the City of New York. Avik has been in the transportation industry for well over 30 years, running Carmel Car & Limousine Service, one of the leading providers in ground transportation services in New York City As an ideas man, Avik has expanded Carmel tremendously from a NYC car service company to a world-wide enterprise. With over 300 affiliates across the country and the world, Carmel continues to expand its reach in providing exemplary car service at an affordable rate. Continuing his pattern of innovation, Avik created the first industry TLC-compliant car service app, the Carmel Limo App. Avik is also the Chair of the New York Independent Livery Driver Benefit Fund. Avik was confirmed by Governor David Paterson to serve on the Livery Fund Board and elected by the Board of Directors to be its Chairman. Avik was instrumental convincing the New York State Legislature of the need to solve the decades old dilemma of whether to provide livery drivers with workers’ compensation benefits and was a key figure in drafting the legislation that ultimately became Article 6-G of the Executive Law (the "Livery Fund Law").

Steven J. Shanker, Esq.

Executive Director/Counsel

Steven J. Shanker, Esq. is the Executive Director and General Counsel for The Livery Round Table, Inc. Mr. Shanker has become the leading advocate in the Taxi and Limousine industry in New York City. As the spokesperson and counsel for the Livery Round Table, Inc. Mr. Shanker has become the "trusted advisor" to the livery industry. No other lawyer in New York City is as active and as steeped in the legal and operational issues that affect the Livery industry. Mr. Shanker is committed to taking all legal steps necessary to advance the interests of the livery industry and the for-hire vehicle industry in general. Mr. Shanker also serves as General Counsel  to the New York Independent Livery Driver Benefit Fund. In such capacity, Mr. Shanker has taken tireless steps to ensure that livery bases remain compliant with the law and that livery drivers are afforded the benefits they are entitled to under the law. Mr. Shanker is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, State of New Jersey, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Eileen Kelly

Honorary Board Member and Treasurer of the NYC Fleet Owners Association, Eileen Kelly is owner of Kelly’s Car Service. Offering over 100 years of transportation services to the residents of Bayside and beyond, Kelly’s offers transportation services in a region of Queens where mass transportation is scarce

robert Hewling

President of the NYC Independent Livery Owners Corporation (NYC-ILOC) Robert and his association represents the interest of Brooklyn Bases in Canarsie, Flatbush, East NY, Crown Heights, Rugby, Mill Basin, Park Slope, Downtown Brooklyn and other areas. Core issues NYCILOC have rallied for are increased enforcement efforts regarding illegal gypsy cabs pirating local neighborhoods and taking business away from legitimized bases in Brooklyn.

arthur grover

As President of the NYC Fleet Owners Association, Arthur has been heavily entrenched in the livery industry for over 30 years. With humble beginnings as a NYC taxi driver, Artie transformed daily duties into a lifelong mission. From driving a car to owning a base and eventually presiding over associations that specialized in livery matters, Artie has experienced it all.

antonio cabrera

Antonio Cabrera was sworn in as NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers president in summer 2013. Mr. Cabrera is the owner of HighClass Car service with locations in Northern Manhattan and the Bronx. Under Antonio’s presidency the Federation remains transparent to all NYC livery drivers and continues to rally in support of livery related matters.

charles lasalla

Charles joined LRT as a representative and voice for the LRT partner pool. With a rich history in TLC courts as a Representative for drivers, base owners, and base staff, Charles has proven himself a trusted source in the Livery industry. Charles has been with the NYC Drivers Assistance Corporation for over 15 years and has assisted many base owners with issues in the areas of base renewals, base location changes, licensing new bases, and any other matter applicable to licensees in the industry.

Jared Lutkowski

Jared Lutkowski is the resident IT specialist and assistant to the General Manager of Dial 7 Car and Limousine Service, one of the permanent founding members of the LRT. Jared brings a great deal of enthusiasm and knowledge of the technological aspect of the industry by being an expert in dispatching and other technologies. 

Darlyn Sanchez

Darlyn is a long time favorite with the Spanish speaking bases of Queens and Brooklyn. She has dedicated much of her time helping limited English speaking base owners and drivers navigate the TLC licensure process. Darlyn found herself expanding in her efforts to include TLC representation of bases. Seeing such an expansive need for the Spanish speaking market, Darlyn formed United As One, TLC Base Owners Association as a way to bring together members and assist them in a larger capacity.

Jose jaen

Jose has over 35 years experience in promoting community empowerment programs. Working in the areas of social justice, outreach, education, health, economic growth and entrepreneurship, Jose has the know how to assist members of the industry in a multitude of areas as needed. More recently Jose has took to the airways, producing and co-hosting “La Voz Del Volante,” with Federation Spokesperson Fernando Mateo and former Federation President Jose Viloria to keep Spanish speaking drivers current in all regulatory matters and changes.