Past AFLA President and Top Fleet Dealer Dies Unexpectedly
Jim Hoffer, 78, who retired in Argos, Ind., died on Dec. 6, 2019 at Miller's Merry Manor in nearby Culver, Ind., where he was rehabbing from back surgery. He was 78.
Jim Hoffer is best remembered in the fleet industry as the 29th president of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA).
Jim Hoffer, 78, who retired in Argos, Ind., died on Dec. 6, 2019 at Miller's Merry Manor in nearby Culver, Ind., where he was rehabbing from back surgery. He was 78.
Hoffer is best remembered in the fleet industry as the 29th president of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA), a position he held from 1996 to 1997. Hoffer was a long-time AFLA member and served as the director of dealers on the association’s Board of Directors.
Hoffer spent his entire career in the automotive industry, working at retail and fleet operations with a variety of dealerships. Hoffer was most proud of his accomplishments as vice president and general manager of Jordan Ford in Mishawaka, Ind., where he took great pride in the fact that it was recognized by Automotive Fleet magazine as one of the top fleet dealers in the country.
In addition to working at the Jordan Group, Hoffer worked at Wolf’s Auto Auctions as vice president of fleet sales. While at Wolf’s Auto Auctions, Hoffer was responsible for coordinating the processing and sale of off-lease and commercial vehicles for large and small leasing and national fleet accounts with the company's three Indiana-based auctions, located in South Bend, Terre Haute, and Evansville.
Among the other dealerships Hoffer worked during the course of his automotive career was Saint Charles Buick Pontiac GMC, where he was vice president national fleet and commercial. Earlier, he was the general manager of Burnworth-Zollars Auto Mall, which consisted of two dealerships -- Ford Mercury and Chevrolet Pontiac. Hoffer was also the president of Mike Anderson Automotive Fleet in Rochester, Ind. At the time, Mike Anderson Auto Group had seven dealerships located in Indiana and Tennessee, representing Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, GMC, and Ford. Hoffer served as president of the Tyler Automotive Fleet Network.
On Jan. 2, 1988, Hoffer married Cheri Hooker. The two of them were getting ready to celebrate their 31st anniversary at the time of Hoffer’s death.
Hoffer attended the University of Miami from 1958-1963, where he graduated with B.S. degree in psychology. Following graduation, Hoffer served in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his wife, Cheri Hoffer; daughter, Elizabeth Hoffer; and granddaughter, Finleigh Louise.
More Operations
How to Manage Conflict for Your Fleet Operations
Conflict management is becoming a core leadership skill. Here are five strategies fleet leaders should know.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?
Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.
Read More →
Turn Fleet Data Into Smarter Decisions
Fleet leaders have access to more operational data than ever, but disconnected systems and unclear metrics often slow decision-making instead of improving it. This article outlines five practical steps fleets can take to transform fragmented data into actionable insights that improve planning, safety, utilization, and long-term performance.
Read More →
Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges
For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.
Read More →
How NOV Uses Telematics to Improve Fleet Safety Across 160 Locations
James Victory of NOV discusses how the company manages fleet safety, maintenance, and telematics across more than 150 locations supporting oilfield operations throughout the U.S.
Read More →
Fleet Meets: Steven Santostasi
This edition of the Fleet Meets series features Steven Santostasi, the current TSP channel manager for Ford Pro.
Read More →
Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Read More →
Soap Box Derby Challenge: Assembling the Crew
Meet Gabriel, Matthew, and Angel — the team helping bring this soap box derby build to life.
Read More →