Automotive Fleet’s 2017 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year John Dmochowsky, senior global fleet manager for Mondelēz International, recently presented a $5,000 scholarship check donated by the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA) to Gary Maike, associate professor/program coordinator for the heavy equipment technology and automotive management program at Ferris State University.

The university’s heavy equipment program is part of its college of engineering technology, which offers a minor and certificate in fleet management, and includes several courses including a planned maintenance and a fleet management class that Maike teaches.

The donation will be used for scholarship support for students of the university who are interested in pursuing the fleet management minor, according to Maike.

The scholarship was provided by AFLA, which co-sponsors the annual AF Fleet Manager of the Year award with Wheels Inc. As part of its co-sponsorship, AFLA provides the Fleet Manager of the Year Award winners a $5,000 scholarship to bestow upon the business school of their choice.

Dmochowsky, an alumnus of Ferris State University, said his donation was his way of giving back to the university, which had provided him with the education that helped bring him to where he is today.

The AF Professional Fleet Manager of the Year Award was created by Automotive Fleet to recognize an experienced and proficient fleet manager who has demonstrated special business acumen in developing and executing key management policies in all areas. Nominees of the honor must be full-time commercial fleet managers and control a company-owned or leased fleet in excess of 100 cars and light trucks combined.