NAFA Names CEO, Realigns Staff

NAFA Fleet Management Association has appointed Phillip Russo as chief executive officer and set up three new staff positions as part of a realignment and retitling of positions of those managing the fleet association.

The changes come after a year-long study of the staffing resources and capacity, and were made to allow the association to provide more and better service to its membership as envisioned in NAFA's strategic plan, according to a NAFA release.

The realignment includes eliminating the deputy executive director position and creating three new positions, including chief operations officer, senior manager of member experience, and member and chapter liaison. Russo, the former NAFA executive director, has hired personnel for the positions.

"The addition of new staff members, as well as the realignment of existing positions, puts all the right people in the right seats to help NAFA realize its goals, objectives, and vision," Russo said.

NAFA's Board of Trustees approved the realignment in October 2013.

James Marks, CAE, takes over as COO. As the former CEO of the CPCU Society, Marks grew membership from 14,000 to almost 30,000.

Christine Hamershock, who had been NAFA's senior marketing manager, fills the position of senior manager of member experience. Hamershock now leads a team of staff members whose primary roles will be to listen and respond to current and prospective members and affiliates and secure their membership and involvement in the association.

Scott Groves joins Hamershock in the Member Experience department as member and chapter liaison. Groves has served as the lead sales rep for the association's annual Institute and Expo since 2008.

Other appoinments include Joanne Marsh as director of member experience; Matthew Marcial, CMP, as director of professional development; Gary Wien as public relations manager and editor; Richard Kadash as accounting and office manager; Donald Dunphy adding responsibility for overseeing NAFA's social media efforts; and Kate Shelko as education and certification assistant.