DaimlerChrysler has created a new eight-member sales staff “to more aggressively pursue government and military sales at the federal, state, and local levels,” announced Al Jackson, senior manager of government and alternative-fuel vehicle sales. In addition, the company has re-activated an executive sales position in Washington, DC, focusing on military sales. “Like the general market, the government sector is becoming more competitive with the advent of cost-cutting by government agencies who face budget reductions,” said Jackson, a 15-year DaimlerChrysler government fleet sales veteran. Assigned to DaimlerChrysler’s eight regional business centers throughout the U.S., the new government and alt-fuel vehicle sales managers (GOVS) “will call on state and local governments, as well as dealers, to increase their involvement in the bid process,” said Jackson. The advent of these new positions reflects a policy shift aimed at improving the focus on both commercial and government customers. By removing responsibility for government sales from regional account executives who sell to commercial customers and switching it to the GOVS, each customer group receives a greater focus.” The new salespeople include Roger Boyle, Los Angeles; Michelle Downing, Denver; Donna Aaron, Chicago; Gena Edwards, Detroit; Susan Crockett, Washington D.C.; Joe Branda, New York; James McCoy, Orlando, FL; and Peter Kash, Dallas.