Mario Sena
From Licey al Medio to New York
Mario Sena grew up in Licey al Medio, Dominican Republic, the second of seven children. His first lessons in business came from watching his father work with local farmers and, later, working alongside him. He saw how resourcefulness, personal relationships, and the trust of others could sustain a livelihood.
In 1978, Mario moved to New York. He studied English, found work, and continued his education while establishing a life in a new city. In his book, he recalls both the support of relatives who helped him get started and the pressure of building a future for his own family.
An education behind the wheel
Over more than three decades as a taxi driver, Mario came to understand the work as a business of its own. A driver had to know the city, manage the cost of a vehicle, make sound decisions, and give passengers a reason to return. In his book, he reflects on recognizing the entrepreneur in himself after years behind the wheel.
The story behind Agape
A Blessed Journey
From Taxi Driver to Industry Leader
By Mario Sena
Mario’s memoir follows the personal journey behind his work in transportation: building a life in the United States, meeting adversity with determination, and turning a vision into a business rooted in service.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Mario brings the perspective of an immigrant, driver, entrepreneur and family man. Faith, family and community run through his story, offering a closer look at the values behind Agape and the person who founded it.
For drivers imagining their next chapter, entrepreneurs building something of their own, and readers curious about Mario’s life, the book offers a personal account of perseverance and purpose.
Read Mario’s story
Available in English as A Blessed Journey and in Spanish as Una jornada bendecida: De taxista a líder de la industria.
Building Agape together
Mario founded Agape in 2012, bringing decades of firsthand experience to medical transportation. Today, Agape is New York State’s largest provider of Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation, serving all five boroughs, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk. More than 2,000 registered drivers provide over one million rides, serving more than 45,000 New Yorkers annually.
Mario leads alongside his son, Danny Sena, Agape’s COO. Danny manages and implements their shared vision through operations, technology and Customer Success. Together, they combine the experience of serving passengers with the systems needed to support transportation across the region.
Industry participation
In 2021, Mario served on New York City’s Black Car and Livery Task Force. The city’s report lists him among the mayoral appointees as Agape’s owner and CEO and a former driver.
Read the 2021 task-force report
Conversations about transportation
Through the TLC Driver Podcast, Mario hosts conversations about the business of driving and transportation issues. In Episode 18, he interviews former TLC commissioner David Do about TLC plates, electric vehicles, charging and tolls. Do was commissioner at the time of the interview.
Learn more about Agape
Explore Agape’s story, medical transportation, or contact the team about your organization’s needs.