Five recently hired business development executives bring dozens of years of expertise in the automotive and alternative fuels industries to ROUSH CleanTech, a leader in propane autogas technology. The new employees increase ROUSH CleanTech’s staff to 80, up from six in 2010.

“We’ve invested more than $35 million to establish a solid foundation with the most advanced technology backed by a robust supply chain. Coupled with Roush’s well-known brand and the addition of top sales talent, we are excited to be at the forefront of the alternative fuels market. All of this will lead to more effective service and support for our customers,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing at ROUSH CleanTech. “The momentum for clean, economical, American-made propane autogas is stronger than ever before.”

Steve Whaley has launched new technologies throughout his entire career — in graphic communications, anti-counterfeiting, and propane autogas fuel technology. He spent the past seven years coordinating turnkey alternative-fuel solutions for vehicle technology, refueling infrastructure, and competitive fuel pricing for private and public fleets. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech and a master' s degree in industrial education from Clemson University. Whaley’s current focus is launching the new ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-650 and F-59 strip chassis for national fleet accounts, including the logistics and linen industries.

While working for the State of Indiana, Joe Rudolph integrated an aggressive propane autogas program for the Indiana Department of Transportation, with nearly 600 vehicles and 115 refueling facilities. “I understand firsthand how to successfully implement propane autogas into an existing fleet,” said Rudolph. His previous experience includes automotive and equipment repair, fleet and organizational management and alternative fuel vehicle sales. He holds a Bachelor of Science in business from Indiana Wesleyan University. Rudolph will concentrate on fleet analysis and sales in the telecommunications and transit industries.

Don Manfredi has spent 20 years in automotive manufacturing in a broad range of positions, including global business development, operations management, application engineering, and sales. He volunteers as an entrepreneurial mentor to start-up companies in Michigan. Manfredi received an MBA from Lawrence Technological University, where he continues to serve as an adjunct professor, teaching sales, marketing, and leadership courses. He will provide fleet analysis and solutions to integrate alternative-fuel vehicles in the services industry.

Derek Whaley brings firsthand knowledge of propane autogas from previous employment at two propane distribution companies. He established propane autogas infrastructure for private and public fleets in various markets and worked with fleet managers to switch from conventional fuels to propane autogas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in business from Lander University. His emphasis at ROUSH CleanTech is the public sector, including school districts and government municipalities.

Phillip Mailey has nine years of commercial fleet sales expertise. Formerly with General Motors, Mailey’s three decades of automotive expertise includes dealer network relations, contract negotiations and business development. As a fleet account executive, he provided innovative solutions to customers while doubling his commercial fleet sales within four years. Mailey also has experience in alternative fuels. “I’ve seen so much pollution from conventional fuels over the years, and I can’t wait to talk with fleet managers about a clean domestic energy source,” said Mailey. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University. His focus is providing fleet solutions to school districts and government municipalities.

Together, the team aims to increase the number of ROUSH CleanTech trucks, vans, and buses that run on propane autogas, including public industries, such as school districts, transit authorities and municipalities, and private industries in markets such as bakery, consumer services, ground transportation, logistics, linen, and telecommunications. To date, ROUSH CleanTech has sold more than 5,000 propane autogas vehicles that currently operate on the nation's roads.