DEARBORN, MI — Jerry Frick, director, commercial and government operations, and John Treter, director, rental operations, announced their intentions to retire from Ford Motor Co. effective Jan. 1, 2006.

Frick began his career in 1970 and held field sales positions in San Francisco, Memphis, the North-east 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 and in 1996, Frick came to NAFLRO to lead Ford’s commercial and government fleet sales operations.

Treter began his career in 1966 in the Lansing district sales office and held a number of sales and marketing assignments in both Ford and Lincoln Mercury. In 1980, Treter joined Lincoln Mercury and spent the next 18 years in the division, including field assignments in Philadelphia and Atlanta. In 1988, he was appointed fleet and leasing manager for Lincoln Mercury Division. Treter joined NAFLRO in 1998 as director of rental, limousine, and livery operations.

Over the years, Frick and Treter received numerous industry accolades and served on many advi-sory boards. Frick and Treter will work with their replacements to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. Effective Oct. 1, John Ruppert is appointed general manager, commercial and government opera-tions, replacing Frick. Ruppert has worked closely with Frick for the past two years. In this new role, Ruppert reports to Hal Feder, executive director, Ford North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations.

Eric Guenther, formerly Kansas City regional manager for Ford Division, is appointed fleet operations manager, replacing Ruppert. Guenther is a 20-year Ford veteran and has held a number of sales and marketing positions.

Randy Gold is appointed general manager, rental operations, replacing Treter. Since May 2004, Gold has been auction operations manager in NAFLRO's remarketing activity. Previous NAFLRO fleet sales experience included serving as NAFLRO’s major leasing accounts manager in 1996-1998 and manager of the NAFLRO central region for 4 years.