Mike Antich, former associate publisher and editor of Automotive Fleet, died on Dec. 19, 2025, following a short illness. He had served for 38 years in editorial roles at Bobit Business Media and wore numerous hats across the industry.  

But those words are only what’s on the resume. Let’s look beyond the titles and timelines to the way he shaped the fleet industry itself.  

“When people think about fleet, Mike Antich is a name that is synonymous with our industry,” said Suresh Rajapakse, chief client officer at Wheels and president of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA). “That legacy will carry on for years, if not decades.”

Mike was born on Nov. 1, 1953, in San Pedro, Calif., to Mihovil “Mike” Antich and Ljubica “Violet” Antich.  

He attended San Pedro High School, where he participated in cross-country and swimming, and later studied journalism at California State University, Long Beach. During college, he worked as an editor of the weekly faculty newsletter and alumni newspaper. As Mike’s story goes, this is where his lifelong passion for writing and storytelling began.

Mike began his career in 1976 at Interface Age Magazine, for home computer enthusiasts. He rose to become publication director and associate publisher, helping pioneer a trade magazine focused on the emerging business applications market for microcomputers.  

In 1985, Ed Bobit, founder of Bobit Business Media (born as Bobit Publishing), recruited him as an editor for Automotive Fleet Magazine. The long career that followed helped define modern fleet management through its institutions, conversations, and professional standards.

“We have two fleet legends at our company,” said Ty Bobit, former president and CEO of Bobit Business Media. “One was my father, Ed Bobit. The other was Mike Antich.”

A Career That Helped Define Fleet

In the early days of Mike’s career, Ed Bobit was the frontman, while Mike became Automotive Fleet's backbone. Ed was the steward, and Mike was the shepherd.  

Over the course of his career in fleet, Mike wrote or edited more than 5,000 articles covering every facet of fleet management — from OEM strategy and leasing to safety, remarketing, procurement, and the globalization of fleet operations.

As the company expanded its fleet portfolio in the 1990s and 2000s, Mike played a central role in launching and shaping Government Fleet,Work Truck, Business Fleet, and Fleet Financials. He was also instrumental in founding several trade events, including the Conference of Automotive Remarketing, Government Fleet Expo, Fleet Safety Conference, and the Global Fleet Conference.

When Ed Bobit died in 2014, Mike assumed the top role as connector and mentor, both the steward and the shepherd, and became an icon in his own right.  

He did that by helping build the institutions that support the industry. He served the American Fleet Leasing Association (AFLA) in numerous leadership roles, including two terms as president. He chaired the association’s globalization committee and helped establish the Global Fleet Networking Consortium, bringing together five international fleet associations.

He was a 15-year member of the NAFA Fleet Management Association’s Foundation Board of Directors, a long-time member of the NAFA Affiliates Committee, and a member of the committee that helped create the Affiliates position on the NAFA Board of Trustees.  

Through the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA), he helped lead the development of the industry’s first certification program for vehicle remarketers.

And he expanded his stature as a speaker. Mike presented at industry conferences, fleet advisory councils, and sales meetings in the U.S. and worldwide.

In recognition of his impact, Antich was inducted into the Fleet Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Global Fleet Hall of Fame in 2022. IARA and the National Auto Auction Association bestowed him the Ed Bobit Remarketing Industry Icon Award in 2021.  

Mike retired from Bobit in 2023 but stayed active as a consultant until his death.  

Understanding Mike Antich  

Titles and accolades explain what Mike Antich did, but not how he did it, or why people trusted him as deeply as they did. For that, you have to look at the habits, relationships, and discipline that defined his working life.

When he first joined Bobit as its CEO in 2020, Paras Maniar recalled walking into Mike’s office and finding stacks covering every surface. “It was the caricature of exactly what you think an editor’s office would look like — just piles of paper everywhere,” Maniar said, though he understood this wasn’t clutter; it was Mike’s method.  

Even as the company moved to a fully digital workflow, Mike continued to print emails and documents. Ty Bobit claimed Mike might have needed to check on something in those printouts from 15 to 20 years ago. As the industry’s historian, he most likely did.  

In his writing, Mike had a unique ability to help fleet professionals navigate rapidly changing markets, evolving technology, and shifting policies.  

“Mike didn’t just report on our industry — he connected it,” Rajapakse said. “He helped fleet professionals turn complexity into practical action.”

“Whether it was on the written page or with a microphone in his hand, Mike always made the people he worked with look good,” said Tom Coffey, a former executive at Merchants Fleet.  

Everyone knew Mike’s signature line from his editorials: “Let me know what you think.”  

One of Mike’s superpowers was relationships. “Mike was the master of building relationships for the good of everyone,” said Sue Miller, who built her career in fleet.  

Joe La Rosa, a longtime former fleet manager and Fleet Hall of Fame inductee, described Mike as someone who made the industry better simply by caring about the people in it.

“Mike made sure that not just me, but thousands of fleet managers had the right information to do our jobs correctly,” La Rosa said. “That’s just the type of person Mike was.”

Safety leader Corey Woinarowicz recalled how early in his career, Mike made him feel welcome and valued. “Thank you for instantly making me feel like I belonged, even when I was only two days into this fleet thing,” Woinarowicz said. “You had the very unique ability to make everyone feel like a best friend.”  

Mike carried that quiet authority everywhere. “Mike was one of the most unassuming people I have ever had the pleasure to work with,” said Joe Pelehach, chief commercial officer for Motorlease. “He asked great questions and was an amazing listener. He had the ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in the room.”  

Mike was ubiquitous at industry events. Walking a conference floor with him, it became clear how deeply embedded he was in the community.  

Lauren Fletcher, vice president of content at Bobit Business Media, started as Mike’s assistant 19 years ago. "I'll never forget walking the show floor with him for the first time. He knew everyone, but what struck me the most was that he actually remembered them," Fletcher said. "One woman came up, and he asked about her kids and family, as if they had just talked the day before. After she walked away, he looked at me and said, 'I haven't seen her in over 10 years,' and we just kept walking."

Former fleet manager and Hall of Fame inductee Oleg Cytowicz recalled a standing tradition they shared at conferences. “Mike and I always scheduled an hour coffee break at whatever conference or fleet event we both attended to catch up and share industry developments and insights — an hour I looked forward to every time it presented itself,” Cytowicz said.  

“You can’t walk in Mike Antich’s shoes. You can only try to do the same kind of work — with integrity and active participation — to make the industry better,” said Colin Sutherland, who bought Bobit in 2024 and became the company’s CEO.  

A Time to Say Goodbye

Mike's final goodbyes were shared over two days in San Pedro, first with a viewing and rosary on January 14. The next day at the mass, his brother Anthony delivered the eulogy, which was followed by the burial. As Mike was laid to rest, doves were released and fluttered into the sky.

The memorial service followed. Memorial services allow space for everything at once — catharsis and heartbreak, solemnity and celebration, grief and healing. Mike’s service was all that. It drew industry colleagues from out of town and current and former Bobiteers, but mostly friends and family.  

Folks mingled quietly over coffee, drinks, and a buffet. A memento table was set. Family photos cycled across the screen. A video tribute created by Bobit honored his professional legacy. A guitarist played Beatles songs Mike loved. Memories were shared from the dais, with laughter and tears.  

The service was also a testament to faith. “He was a great man of faith and devoted to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” said Ed Peper, former U.S. vice president at GM Fleet, in the video tribute. “I know that we will see Mike again one day in a wonderful place. And I know that our Lord is going to say to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'”

The industry tributes demonstrated how he was a stabilizing presence in an industry that is only seeing more disruption these days. And it’s why, when Mike spoke, people trusted they were hearing something worth remembering.

But at the memorial service, it was the people Mike knew best — his children, Michael, Nicole, and Danielle — who brought his spirit full circle.  

His daughter Nicole remembered how he showed up to every game, race, or practice and gladly endured the countless long drives. One time, Nicole realized she’d forgotten her cleats long after the ride began. Mike made the trip back home for the cleats calmly, without complaining about the added time or distance.  

She recalled her dad’s encyclopedic knowledge, particularly on those trips, when they’d play map games, discuss state capitals, and get history lessons. “He knew everything about anything.”

“He never made us feel small or incapable. He guided us,” Nicole said.  

“He always wanted us to feel safe,” said Danielle.  

Nicole remembered his parenting style. “Most times, you weren’t even asking for advice,” she said. “It was never really the words themselves. It was how he said them.”

Michael echoed his sister’s words. “Real strength is quiet. Love doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful,” he said. “He showed love through presence and consistency.”

Michael brought home what was evident in his father’s professional life. Mike taught his son the importance of mastering the fundamentals, of controlling what you can, and following through when the pressure is on.

It was a lesson Michael conveyed that was less about sports and more about life. It captured his father’s approach to both family and profession:

“Always make your free throws.”