ST. LOUIS, MO – Enterprise Fleet Services, a full-service fleet management company for businesses with mid-size fleets, received the 2006 American Business Award for Best Support Organization. The award was announced Jun. 12 at a dinner gala in New York City.

Enterprise Fleet Services won the award for demonstrating exceptional teamwork in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina by focusing on taking care of employees displaced by the storm and serving the needs of local customer companies. Many were businesses that urgently needed replacement vehicles to help restore electric, plumbing, and other vital relief and recovery services in the devastated areas.

In the aftermath of the disaster, in addition to establishing a toll-free hotline for displaced employees and maintaining all pay and benefits for employees affected by the storm, Enterprise’s Emergency Assistance Program was offered to those suffering severe financial hardship and $1 million was donated to the American Red Cross’ Hurricane Relief Fund through the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation.

At the same time, internal teamwork and quickly improvised technology support enabled Enterprise Fleet Services to continue serving customers. With branches in New Orleans closed, phone lines to assist customers were redirected to the company’s Houston office, and approximately 15 employees from New Orleans were relocated to Houston. Together, both groups worked long hours, six days a week, for nearly five weeks.

With no lead time, new technology modifications had to be developed to accommodate two different groups operating from a single computer system. Because Houston and New Orleans are in different groups, according to Enterprise’s corporate structure of separate profit centers, each has distinct access for posting checks, paying bills, managing payroll, and more importantly, acquiring new and replacement vehicles for customers. At corporate headquarters, Enterprise’s IT department quickly rewrote and activated new internal codes for remote access for some of the most critical functions.

The disaster also created an urgent need for vehicles. But replacement vehicles not only were in short supply, it was difficult to transport to them to New Orleans. Working collaboratively with Enterprise groups in Tenn., N.C., Ga., and many other locations, Enterprise utilized its extensive network of internal resources to locate and deliver replacement vehicles, replacing approximately 150 vehicles for customers in the first few weeks.

Also known as The Stevies, the American Business Award is a national, all-encompassing awards program that recognizes outstanding performance in the workplace in several categories. Enterprise Fleet Services was a finalist in the 2005 and 2004 American Business Awards programs.