In Memoriam: Jerry Frick 1947-2021

Gerald (Jerry) Frick, retired director, commercial and government sales for North American Fleet, Lease & Remarketing Operations (NAFLRO) for Ford Motor Co., passed away on Feb. 10, 2021. He was 73.

Born in Gering, Neb., Frick attended the University of Nebraska from 1965-1970 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He began his career at Ford in 1970 and retired in 2006. He worked in both domestic and international assignments at Ford, including commercial fleet sales manager and director of truck sales and marketing for Ford of Europe in England.

Frick said in Automotive Fleet (AF) magazine interview that his assignment to Ford of Europe and living in England as one of the most interesting experiences in his life. “It was very special to travel for the company and personally throughout Western and Eastern Europe in the early 1990s,” said Frick in the interview.

During his career with Ford Motor Co., Frick held field sales positions in San Francisco, Memphis, the Northeast Region, and Pittsburgh, where he was district manager. In 1990, Frick was appointed director of truck marketing for Ford of Europe.

In December 1994, he was named VP, marketing and sales for Jaguar Cars North America, which at the time was owned by Ford Motor Co. In 1996, Frick was assigned to NAFLRO headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.,  to lead Ford’s commercial fleet sales operations. In 2001, while continuing to serve as director of commercial fleet sales operations, Frick was given the additional responsibility to also lead the NAFLRO government sales operations.

Frick retired from Ford Motor Co. on Jan. 1, 2006. Upon retirement, he moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. Frick considered his top personal achievement was balancing a career with Ford Motor Co. while helping to raise three children. “As a family, we moved 12 times in the first 26 years to both domestic as well as international assignments,” said Frick.

Frick was also very active with fleet industry associations. He served as director of Allied on the AFLA Board of Directors, was an active member of the NAFA Fleet Management Association Affiliates Committee, and a key member of the NAFA Foundation Board of Directors.

Over the years, Frick received numerous industry accolades. In 2012, Frick was inducted in the AF Fleet Hall of Fame, which is exclusively sponsored by the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA).

Earlier, in 2005, the National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA) presented Frick with its Samuel J. Lee Memorial Award at the association’s 2005 Annual Conference and Exposition in Orlando, Fla. The Samuel J. Lee Memorial Award recognizes lifetime achievement and significant, lasting contributions to the vehicle leasing industry by a non-lessor.

When asked what advice he wished someone would have given you before entering fleet, Frick said: “I wish I had the advice or opportunity to enter the fleet industry earlier. It is an exciting and dynamic business and one where friendships as well as professional relationships are highly valued by all who are in it,” said Frick in a 2002 interview published in Automotive Fleet magazine.

Frick is survived by Victoria, his wife of 51 years, and three children: Meghan, Ryan, and Andrew. His son Andrew is vice president, sales, U.S. & Canada at Ford Motor Company and a company officer.