2010 NAFA I&E
Just days before his May 1 retirement, NAFA attendees were the final large group General Motors’ Bob Lutz addressed as a GM employee. Lutz told attendees GM is “very well on the road to recovery.” He received a NAFA Lifetime Honorary Membership after his presentation.
Mark Fields, executive vice president of Ford Motor Company and president of The Americas, informed the audience of Ford’s “commit[ment] to making a major impact on greening America’s fleets,” emphasizing the automaker’s fuel-efficient powertrain and sustainable technology offerings. Fields said Ford expects the commercial fleet business to pick up this year.
Bob Adamsky (right), Del Air Heating & Air Conditioning, accepts a Larry Goill award from Marvin Fletcher, City of Hanover, Va.
Ferris State University (FSU) automotive students, deemed “the future” of the fleet industry, gathered for a group photo with sponsors. Christy Coyte (center), 2009 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year, donated her $5,000 check (sponsored by Wheels and AFLA) to the university last year. FSU students are part of a mentoring program, with individual students sponsored by companies such as ROUSH and LeasePlan.
NAFA’s newest CAFM graduates were honored during breakfast on April 26. Total graduates for this class numbered 33.
At the final lunch following the last conference sessions, attendees were seated at tables according to regions, with each table cheering on their chapter heads in a “rally” to show their spirit. Members of the Western region show their spirit.
(L-R) 2009 Bobit award winners Pete Silva, PepsiCo, and Joe LaRosa, Merck, network at Bobit’s award recognition reception.
Michael Sims (right) accepts the 2010 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year award from Jim Frank of Wheels, Inc.
Peter Grady, vice president, Network Development & Fleet for Chrysler Group LLC, acknowledged the importance of commercial fleet sales to the automaker’s business going forward. Chrysler “wants to make your jobs managing fleet easier,” he assured attendees.
Each day of the conference featured a number of educational sessions for both corporate and public sector fleet managers, ranging from "Mythbusters: The Snake Oil Saga" and "Choosing the Right Remarketing Channel" to "Funding Strategies" and "Getting Executive Buy-In."