Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

AFLA 2008 Conference Photo Gallery and Video Now Available Online

PHOENIX – Photos, a PowerPoint slideshow of the inductees, and video from the AFLA 2008 Conference in Phoenix are now available for viewing online.

by Staff
September 18, 2008
AFLA 2008 Conference Photo Gallery and Video Now Available Online

(l-r) Todd Good, Mark Klein, Deb Watkins, and Kevin McGrath pose on the golf course.

3 min to read


PHOENIXThe Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association (AFLA) hosted a record of nearly 300 attendees at its 40th Annual Meeting and Conference at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, September 10-12. One of the conference's highlights was the presentation of the Fleet Hall of Fame Awards.

AFLA President Elsie Lucia and Ed Bobit of Bobit Business Media inducted the following inductees into the 2008 Fleet Hall of Fame:

Ad Loading...
  • E.J. Ames, Universal CIT Credit Corp.

  • Gene Arbaugh, PHH

  • Ray Breault, Fleet Response / Hoffmann-LaRoche / Revlon

  • Al Cavalli, Universal CIT Credit Corp. / American Home Products / Avis Leasing

  • Dick Heather, PHH

  • Jack Kolb, ARI

  • Arno Neuber, ARI

  • Don Rappeport, Donlen

  • John Rock, General Motors

  • Gary Tepas, Emkay

A PowerPoint presentation of the 10 inductees in the 2008 Fleet Fall of Fame can be viewed here.

In addition, there were 20 founding inductees in the Fleet Hall of Fame. A video of these founding Fleet Hall of Fame inductees can be viewed here.

1.        Helen Bland– Hallmark

2.        Howard Cook – Ford Motor Co.

Ad Loading...

3.        Eddie Dame – Avis Leasing

4.        Don Fenton – Piemonte Fleet

5.        Jim Frank – Wheels Inc.

6.        Zollie Frank – Wheels Inc.

7.        George Frink – GM/Chevrolet

Ad Loading...

8.        Bud Grossman – Gelco

9.        Joe Holman – ARI/Holman

10.     Harley Howell – PHH

11.     Jack Lamb – Exxon

12.     Sam Lee – Lee Fleet Management

Ad Loading...

13.     Milo Matick – Piemonte Fleet

14.     Emerson Parker – Hartford Fire Insurance

15.     S. Lester Landau – Picker X-Ray

16.     Hubert Ryan – Hertz Leasing

17.     Armund Schoen – Wheels Inc.

Ad Loading...

18.     Bob Soell – Suntrup Ford City

19.     Ed Stanley – Oldsmobile Div.

20.     George Weimer – Contel/Hertz


Click here for links to:

Photo gallery

Ad Loading...

2008 Fleet Hall of Fame Inductees PowerPoint

Video of 25 industry veterans

In other news, AFLA announced the members of its 2008-2009 Board:

Past President: Elsie Lucia, Estee Lauder, Inc.

President: Mike Antich, Automotive Fleet Magazine

Ad Loading...

Executive Vice President: Tom Donato, ARI - Automotive Resources International

Vice President: Lori Rasmussen, PARS

Treasurer: Debbie Mize, Hallmark Cards Inc.

Secretary: Debra Watkins, PHH Arval

Director Dealers: Brian Farrar, Umbrella Fleet Partners

Ad Loading...

Director Remarketers: Ron Shoemaker, Flexco Fleet Services

Director Allied: John Ruppert, Ford Motor Company

Director Fleet: Shirley Collins, GlaxoSmithKline

Director Lessors: Mary Sticha, GE Capital Solutions

Director At Large: Dick Malcom, State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co.

Ad Loading...

Director At Large: Matthew Betz, AmeriFleet Transportation


Other highlights from the 2008 AFLA conference included a "Cars of Tomorrow" reception featuring future concept vehicles, as well as presentations from renowned experts such as:

  • Larry Burns, vice president of research for General Motors

  • John McElroy, host of the television program "Autoline Detroit"

  • Michael Rogers,New York Times futurist

In addition to the high-caliber educational content, several conference attendees participated in the classic Pete "Z" Golf Tournament, during which AFLA Secretary Deb Watkins successfully shot a hole-in-one to win a cruise or airfare for two sponsored by Flexco Fleet Services.


To view the full conference photo gallery, go to https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=aflaonline.com

More details about the conference can be found at AFLA's Web site at https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=aflaonline.com.

Ad Loading...

More Leasing

Two shot of standing interview
Leasingby Chris BrownApril 23, 2026

What’s Really Happening in Fleet Supply Right Now

Fleet supply has improved, but not everywhere. Merchants Fleet’s Charles Matthew explains where constraints still exist, what risks are emerging, and why fleets shouldn’t wait to place orders.

Read More →
Photo of Matt Dyer
Leasingby Chris BrownApril 8, 2026

These Edges Are Measured in Inches — Matt Dyer on Fleet’s New Normal

The Merchants Fleet CEO contends that fleets that drive the business win the inches. In 2026, every one of them counts.

Read More →
Remix of financial photo and row of cars.
Leasingby Chris BrownJanuary 1, 2026

Who Gets a Company Car? (In 2026 and Beyond)

As costs rise and scrutiny increases, fleets are refining criteria that govern eligibility for company-owned vehicles.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black CUV tilted downward on stacks of descending gold coins.
Leasingby News/Media ReleaseDecember 29, 2025

DriveItAway Holdings, Free2move Launch Operations In Nine Cities

The co-branded program with Stellantis’ mobility division scales up leasing and financing options nationwide with more cities to come online in 2026.

Read More →
Honorees gather on stage for a photo.
Leasingby Chris BrownSeptember 30, 2025

AFLA 2025 Conference in Pictures

Drawing over 640 attendees, the 2025 AFLA Annual Conference was held Sept. 14-17 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Florida.

Read More →
An app user looks at her smartphone near a row of vehicles.
Leasingby News/Media ReleaseJuly 22, 2025

DriveItAway, Free2move Partner to Expand Vehicle Access for Dealers

The arrangement enables franchise dealers to offer flexible lease-to-own programs with no credit checks, no down payments, and no long-term commitments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic of performance survey
Leasingby StaffJuly 16, 2025

New Survey: How Well Are FMCs Serving Fleets? We Want Your Input

Fleet managers: Share your experience to help benchmark fleet management companies’ service, strategy, and support.

Read More →
Headshot of two executives
Leasingby Chris BrownJuly 14, 2025

Enterprise Fleet Management Enters Its Next Leadership Chapter

With Brice Adamson’s retirement, EFM hands the reins to Bryan Taylor. How will the company sustain its momentum in a changing fleet landscape?

Read More →
A collage of award recipients with the text "NVLA Honors Leasing Leaders".
Leasingby StaffApril 24, 2025

Celebrating Excellence in Leasing: NVLA’s 2025 Award Honorees Drive the Industry Forward

NVLA presented awards to four leaders whose vision, service, and innovation continue to shape the future of the vehicle leasing industry.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Remarketingby Martin RomjueApril 2, 2025

New, Used Vehicle Markets Solid but Facing Tariff Uncertainty

CAR 2025: A JD Power expert ties together the leading automotive sales and supply trends among vehicle buyers facing the disruptions of impending tariffs this month.

Read More →