LAS VEGAS— The 2007 National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA) Annual Conference held June 6–9, at the Venetian Resort and Casino, included representatives from primary bank and credit union funding sources, independent Lessors, captive funders, manufacturers, and many suppliers of industry related goods and services.

The 2007 Conference included comprehensive educational seminars dedicated to commercial, fleet, and consumer lessor, as well as credit union and bank lessors. The exhibit hall featured vehicles from Ford, Toyota, and Nissan, as well as commercial upfitted vehicles from Leggett & Platt (ABC) and Ford Commercial.

Annual Awards recognizing outstanding service to the Vehicle Leasing Industry and the NVLA are integral to the NVLA Annual Conference. The highest honor awarded by the NVLA, the Clemens-Pender Lessor of the Year Award, given to the lessor who best exemplifies the highest standards of professional conduct was given to Dale Davis, president of Republic Fleet Services. Kathleen Everhart, CVLE, received the Samuel J. Lee Memorial Award for her distinguished service as an associate member of the NVLA. Awards were also presented to Elaine Litwer, Mike Wood, and Tarry Shebesta for their outstanding commitment to the NVLA while serving on the 2006/07 Board of Directors.

Annual Elections were held for the National Officers of the NVLA at the Annual Meeting on June 9. Officers for 2007/08 elected by the members are: President: Tarry Shebesta of ACS Sales & Leasing; First Vice President: Michael Wood of Auto One Lease, Inc.; Second Vice President: Scott Crawford, CVLE of Wilmar, Inc.; Third Vice President: Steven Posner of Putnam Leasing Company, Inc.; Secretary/Treasurer: Roger Camping, CVLE, of RC Auto Corp, Inc; Director at Large: Mark VanNest, CVLE, of MWL Financial Services; Director at Large: Andrew Carr, CVLE of Quality Leasing Company, Inc.; and Associate Director: Kathleen Everhart, CVLE, of GMI Insurance. Next year’s conference will celebrate NVLA’s 40th anniversary and will be held June 11–14, 2008, at the Camelback Inn and Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, call 800-225-NVLA, or visit the NVLA Web site at www.nvla.org.