Diana Clemente has worked in the black car industry for most of her life. She began as a customer service representative at age 16 and moved on to a dispatch position while studying at Baruch College. After graduating first in her class, Ms. Clemente was privileged to join the then “Big Eight” accounting firm of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG).

 

Having honed her skills among Manhattan executives of every rank and industry and earning her CPA license, Diana returned to her roots. In 1984, at the age of 27, she became Controller of Big Apple Car and the Company greatly benefited from her business acumen.  Within five years, Diana was named a principal and President of Big Apple Car. The Company flourished with Diana at the helm, acquiring many major clients and a strong reputation for its commitment to quality service. In 1997, she created VIP Gold, an upscale, “umbrella, red carpet” ground transportation service.

 

The company Diana built is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Entity by The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and it is one of the only Certified Women-Owned Businesses in the black car industry. In addition to being the President of Big Apple Car and VIP Gold, Diana Clemente is the President of the Black Car Assistance Corporation, an industry association of her peers. She is also a Board Member of the New York Black Car Operator’s Industry Compensation Fund and in December of 2020, she was appointed as one of Mayor De Blasio’s eight appointees to sit on the City’s Black Car & Livery Task Force.

 

An avowed animal lover, with a particular soft spot for feral and free-roaming cats, Big Apple Car provided space at no cost in its building to Ferals in Peril, a 501c corporation. During that partnership, spay neuter services were provided to more than 14,000 cats. Currently, Big Apple Car donates 15% of the first $500 of business, and 3% thereafter for the life of the relationship, to NorthShore Animal League America.