About Us
Our Story…
The Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) was formed by a group of operators in California to unify the ground transportation industry. California is the largest market for transportation in the world, with more than 4,000 licensed operators as of spring 2021.
The GCLA’s Luxury Transportation Expo is a fundraiser for the association, but more than that, it’s the only networking event serving the western region of the US.
We invite everyone that is connected to luxury travel and transportation to come see us, upfront and personal. Our events do not disappoint!
Leadership
Sara Eastwood Richardson
Sara Eastwood Richardson
Sara Eastwood Richardson, an organization co-founder, is an expert in trade association & trade show management. She found her calling before she completed college, working in the PR department at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Sara went on to develop the trade show division of Bobit Business Media after she sold her trade show, the Equine Technology Expo/Equitech, at 23. Under her management, Bobit Business Media trade shows grew to include 14 tradeshows and annual conferences. Sara also built out the BBM Association Management division, a company sector offering contract operations to associations such as the National Limousine Association, the American Car Rental Association, and Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association. In addition, she was the Publisher of a luxury transportation magazine for more than 25 years. In 2019, Sara launched RAS International, a company dedicated to helping develop non-profits in all growth areas. Sara lives on a sustainable micro-farm in Olalla, Washington, and enjoys being a weekend farmer with her three dogs, two cats, 20 chickens, and tending her 5-acre lavender field.
Pat Charla
Pat Charla
Pat Charla, the organization’s co-founder, has more than 30 years of experience in corporate travel and ground transportation. With a resume detailing sustainability experience on both the client and supplier sides, Pat is well-regarded by the corporate travel community as an innovative professional sustainability solutions provider. Combined with an MBA in International Finance and Marketing from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business (ranked by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top 30 graduate business programs – internationally), Pat’s experience and training bring a wealth of technical and financial skills and industry-specific knowledge to STTN members.