Dhar Mann
Director

Dhar is the visionary behind Friendly Cab's new modernization and rehabilitation plans. He is an aficionado about providing accessible transportation services in the East Bay, and always seeking technological and administrative opportunities for increasing overall efficiency. Dhar Mann is also piloting Friendly Cab's greener initiatives and looking to build coalitions with other local East Bay businesses to reduce our community's carbon footprint.

Kevin Ito
Dispatch Manager

Kevin has spent twenty-four years at Friendly Cab, first as a driver and now as lead dispatcher. His understanding of the drivers' needs, knowledge of the service area, and his emphasis on customer service has allowed him to flourish in the demanding, front-line position as dispatch. While Friendly Cab uses a leading-edge, computerized taxi dispatch system, old-fashioned person-to-person communication is how customers. Kevin holds a degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

"Taxi riders have many different needs, from the disabled to seniors to flight attendants to people who speak other languages. Customer service is critical. Dispatch is the core of the company."

Alex Lorga-Espaldo
Operations Manager

In his fifth year at Friendly Cab, Alex supervises and manages our cutting-edge Digital Dispatch System. Under his management, Friendly has created a technological lead over its competitors, with a fully location-aware, computerized system in our headquarters and our taxis. He also administers our three hundred corporate accounts, including FedEx, UPS, JetBlue, Pixar, and the City of Alameda. Alex received his BA in Sociology from Oakland's School of Urban Missions.

"I'm ready to rewire the computer in an emergency, so we always have good records and good service. Sometimes the Oakland Police need information from us - I make sure that it's right. Sometimes it's really a matter of life and death."

Tony Alvarez
Project Manager

Tony Alvarez is the project manager for Friendly Cab's new technological, environmental, and service improvements. He leads innovation and purchasing for an upgraded dispatch, the integration of online and mobile tools, and sourcing more environmentally-friendly taxi vehicles. Tony holds a marketing degree from San Francisco State University.

"My job is to make the company more productive and implement ways to make taxi service better. Before you change a system, you need to learn all about it. Right now I'm working in dispatch, and doing a little bit of everything. Soon we'll be able to do some really exciting things with taxis and technology."

Ariana Patiño
Executive Assistant

Ariana has worked for Friendly Cab since the beginning of 2008, managing billing and administrative tasks for Friendly and its affiliated companies, including Mobile Mansion and LimoVIP. With an MBA in Managment from Cal State University East Bay, Ariana plays a key role ensuring that the complex operations of Friendly's hundred-strong taxi fleet run smoothly and transparently.

"I do almost all the administrative work for Friendly. I use my background in accounting and management to ensure our employees and contractors are taken care of."