LAFAYETTE, CA - KelleyAmerit Fleet Services Inc., a strategic partnership of Kelley Fleet Services and Amerit Consulting, announced that it has been awarded the telecommunication industry's largest-ever contract for vehicle repair and maintenance services by AT&T.

"We were seeking an innovative and comprehensive approach to our fleet repair and maintenance needs. KelleyAmerit Fleet Services met that challenge." said Jerome Webber, AT&T's vice president for fleet operations.

Under the terms of the contract, the majority of AT&T's 76,000 vehicles, the largest private fleet in the country, will be maintained and repaired at a network of approximately 250 dedicated service facilities throughout the United States. KelleyAmerit expects to hire as many as 800 managers, mechanics, repair technicians, and other personnel in connection with the contract.

"This contract underscores the appeal of our strategic partnership with KelleyAmerit and the Kelley Fleet Services approach," said Don Kelley, founder of Kelley Fleet Services and president of KelleyAmerit. "We believe that a sole-source, singularly focused fleet maintenance and repair solution makes great sense for large operators. We're very excited by this news and we're eager to get to work on behalf of our newest customer."

According to KelleyAmerit, with the new contract, KelleyAmerit and Kelley Fleet Services provide fleet maintenance and repair services to three of the five largest utility/ telecommunications providers in the country.

The KelleyAmerit joint venture brings together the experience and skills of two service providers with deep experience in fleet service and the telecommunications industry. AT&T said that another factor that worked in the joint venture's favor was a shared commitment between the two companies in the area of supplier diversity.

"Supplier diversity has always been a cornerstone of our inclusive culture at AT&T," said Marianne Strobel, executive director of AT&T Global Supplier Diversity. "It's important for us as a source of innovation and as a vital element in staying connected to our diverse customers. We look for those values in our suppliers as well and are particularly pleased that KelleyAmerit's leadership team has a special focus on helping Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs). Last year AT&T spent $82 million dollars with DVBEs and this relationship is helping us continue to increase our spending with DVBE firms."