Membership Milestones 2013
Congratulations to the following members who are celebrating membership milestones!
Thanks for being part of the NAFA family!
To see additional members celebrating milestones, please click here
To see additional members who celebrated milestones in 2012, please click here
June 2013
55 years
Alfred J. Cavalli
Massapequa Park, NY
Al Cavalli served as President of NAFA 1969-1971, but his ties to the Association go back much farther: to the very beginning as the Round Table Group. Cavalli saw NAFA through an unprecedented time of growth and had to make hard choices, including one to raise membership dues in 1970 to match the requirements brought on by the influx of new members.
"It almost wrecked NAFA," Cavalli said in a recent article in FLEET Solutions magazine. "We found it necessary, at the time, to increase membership fees. They started out at $50 and we raised them to $100, and there was an uproar." Although there had been talk of upheaval and secession, the Association still held firm.
Cavalli has a long and prestigious history working with some of the most influential individuals and companies in the industry. He also takes great pride in his work on the NAFCAR and NAFVAN projects, wherein fleet professionals helped design vehicles that would best suit the needs of the profession (based on fleet survey feedback). While not much is spoken of these designs now, they had profound influence on automakers in 1976.
Uncredited, virtually all of the NAFCAR concepts were integrated into the future models from the U.S. car manufacturers, with some remaining even to this day.
"It was really amazing how manufacturers took to it," Cavalli said. "Whether they admit it or not, many of the innovations they came out with were in that survey."
The NAFA family wishes Al a speedy and healthy recovery from recent health issues.
25 years
Norma G. Maxvill
Customer Service Rep.
BBL Fleet
Troy, MI
"I began my career in fleet leasing in 1976 at McCullagh Leasing, Roseville, MI, working in many different areas, but especially in client service. In 1988, I was hired by BBL Fleet, Pittsburgh PA, as the on-site vehicle administrator for a major OEM automotive supplier in Troy MI. The past 25 years with BBL Fleet and our customer have been exceptional.
"Membership in NAFA has been important as I worked as an affiliate on site with a client. My local chapter, Great Lakes, has always provided an invaluable resource for information, best practices, education and support. More importantly, I’ve met fleet professionals who have inspired me with their dedication and commitment, especially to NAFA. Networking with them has proved to be the highlight of my NAFA membership, since many of them have become lifelong friends.
"It’s been my privilege to work with BBL Fleet, and to be a member of NAFA."
Jacqueline A. Porter
Director of Risk Management
Block Communications, Inc.
Toledo, OH
Jacqueline Porter was the Member recipient of the Outstanding Chapter Service Award in 2008. She is a Member of the Michigan chapter. It is the strength of Members like Jacqueline Porter that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry’s strongest association.
May 2013
35 years
Patsy Brownson, CAFM
Atlanta, GA
Patsy Brownson has been in fleet management since 1976. She took early retirement from Cox Enterprises, Inc., a leading multimedia company and operator of automobile auctions, based in Atlanta, GA, in 2008. At her retirement the Cox fleet consisted of over 15,000 vehicles, one of the top 15 truck fleets in the U.S. Not quite ready to give it all up, she went to work for UCB, Inc. a pharmaceutical company based out of Brussels with its U.S. Headquarters in Atlanta. She managed UCB’s Fleet, Relocation, and Travel programs for two and one half years. During her fleet management tenure, she was an active member of several client advisory boards.
Brownson worked her way through several positions at both the NAFA Fleet Management Association and the Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association. She is the only woman to be the President of both associations (NAFA 1993-1995 and AFLA 2005). She became one of the first Certified Automotive Fleet Manager’s in 1990 and was awarded NAFA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award in 1998. In 2001 Brownson was chosen to receive Automotive Fleet’s Fleet Manager of the Year Award. She still is very active in both associations where she is on several committees and is the Treasurer of the NAFA Atlanta Chapter.
Brownson has worked with EPA and DOE on clean air and energy issues, and served on a presidential task force that inspired the Clean Cities program. In recognition of her accomplishments and leadership, President Clinton appointed her to the Policy Dialogue Advisory Committee to Develop Options for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Personal Motor Vehicles. She is the current Treasurer of Clean Cities – Atlanta.
Brownson is semi-retired, but still an active member of the fleet industry.
It is the strength of Members like Patsy Brownson that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry’s strongest association.
30 years
William J. Benzie
Matawan, NJ
Bill is a Member of the New Jersey Chapter and served as the Nominating Committee Chair (1996-1997). NAFA thanks Bill for 30 years with the Association! It is the strength of Members like Bill that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry’s strongest association.
25 years
Tom Gardner
Regional Fleet Manager
Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
Houston, TX
Tom is a member of the Southwest Chapter. NAFA thanks Tom for twenty-five years with the Association! It is the strength of members like him that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
Michael H. Grace
St. Augustine, FL
Michael is a member of the Sunshine State Chapter. NAFA thanks Michael for twenty-five years with the Association! It is the strength of members like him that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
Nancy W. McSweeney
Technical Support Consultant
Chevin Fleet Solutions LLC
Weymouth, MA
Nancy has served as New England Chapter Secretary (1992-1994); Chapter Chair (1994-1996); Chapter Certification Committee Chair (1994-1995); National Education Development Committee Member (1994-1995); National Membership Committee Member (1994-1995); National Membership Committee Co-Chair (1995-1996); National Membership Committee Chair (1996-1997); National Program Committee Member (1996-1997); Chapter Membership Committee Co-Chair (1997-1998); and Chapter Membership Committee Chair (2001-2002). NAFA thanks Nancy for twenty-five years with the Association. It is the strength of members like her that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
April 2013
50 years
Robert A. Whitfield
Lutz, FL
Robert A. Whitfield is currently a Member of the Sunshine State Chapter, but said, "I have had the honor of serving in 3 Chapters, and attending several others."
"I served as the Chapter Membership Committee Chair from 1992 to 1994, and created the very first organized Basic Education Conference, and directed several of them," Bob said. "Over the past 50 years, I have been privileged to know and to work with many of the original founders of NAFA. The members and Staff of NAFA have taught me so many things, and I have been fortunate to pass many of these along. The joys from their companionship and friendship have proven to be invaluable."
NAFA thanks Bob for fifty years with the Association! It is the strength of Members like him that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry’s strongest association.
25 years
Jim Baker
Mansfield, OH
Jim is a member of the Tri-State chapter. NAFA thanks Jim for twenty-five years with the Association! It is the strength of members like him that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
Alice Johnson
Fleet Administrator
Sentry Insurance
Stevens Point, WI
Alice is a Member of the Wisconsin chapter. NAFA thanks Alice for twenty-five years with the Association! It is the strength of members like herthat have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
March 2013
25 years
Kevin McGrath
President
Fleet Street Remarketing, LLC
Largo, FL
Kevin McGrath is a member of the Sunshine State Chapter, served as Chapter Reception Chair from 1994 -1996, and Chapter Affiliates Chair from 1995 -1997.
NAFA thanks Kevin for twenty-five years with the Association! It is the strength of members like him that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
20 years
Allan G. King
Toronto, ON
Allan is a Member of the Ontario Chapter. NAFA thanks Allan for twenty years with the Association! It is the strength of Members like him that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
Bruce A. McLeod
Georgetown, ON
Bruce is a Member of the Western Canada Chapter. NAFA thanks Bruce for twenty years with the Association! It is the strength of Members like him that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
February 2013
35 years
Katherine M. Croze
National Sales Manager, Government Fleet Market
The CEI Group Inc.
Jenks, OK
Katherine (Kathi) Croze celebrates her 35th anniversary with NAFA this February. She was named the organization’s first female Affiliate Trustee in 2003, a position she held for two years.
Kathi also has been named one of the top women in the fleet industry by Automotive Fleet magazine. In its December issue, Automotive Fleet named the sixty-six most influential women in the fleet industry. In addition to 25 fleet managers, the magazine cited 41 female employees of suppliers to the fleet industry.
Kathi is the National Sales Manager for the Government Fleet Market for The CEI Group, Inc., a service solutions provider for vehicle collision management and driver safety services. She joined The CEI Group in 1991 and eventually moved from the corporate market to the government market as her primary area of responsibility.
Prior to joining The CEI Group, Kathi was fleet manager for Hughes Aircraft Company in Culver City, CA where she managed a diverse fleet and set company policy. Croze implemented the first vanpool program for the company as well as the first driver training program. After Hughes she took on the fleet position at Computer Sciences Corporation where corporate travel and ridesharing were added to her responsibilities.
Overall, Kathi has 35 years in the fleet industry and has been involved with various fleet organizations. Most recognizable is her involvement with NAFA where she has held many local and national positions including Chapter Chair as well as Affiliate Trustee, the highest Board position a supplier can hold in that association. Kathi also received the Outstanding Chapter Service Award in 1997.
"Joining NAFA was the best career move I made second only to joining The CEI Group. The support and friendships developed over the years are priceless."
More recently, Kathi has served as the Corporate Liaison for the National Conference of State Fleet Administrators (NCSFA) from 2007 - 2011.
January 2013
35 years
Roger Daoust
Lachine, PQ
Roger has served as Quebec Chapter Chair (1992-1994); National Membership Committee Member (1993-1994); Chapter Arrangements Committee Co-Chair (1993-1994); and Chapter Reception Committee Chair (2005-2006). NAFA thanks Roger for his efforts and commitment!
25 years
Bruce Kosaveach
Account Manager
GE Capital Fleet Services
Phoenix, AZ
Bruce Kosaveach has been a major force in the Chapters he has been a Member of including: Pacific Southwest Chapter Program Committee Chair (1992-1993); Arizona Chapter Program Committee Chair (1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2009-2010); Pacific Southwest Chapter Safety Committee Chair (1992-1994); and Pacific Southwest Chapter Arrangement Committee Chair (1992-1993);
Bruce has also served as National Safety Advisory Council Member (1992-1993); National Safety Advisory Council Co-Chair (1993-1995); National Affiliate Committee Member (1992-1995); and
I&E Steering Board Member (1993-1994).
When asked about his years with NAFA, Bruce said, "I joined NAFA in 1988 when working for Advanced Driver Training Services, and got involved with the NAFA Safety National Committee as its Co-Chair for four years.
"For the past 25 years NAFA has provided me with an outstanding forum for networking with fleet professionals as well as a reliable source of information on fleet management. It is a one-of-a-kind organization for the vehicle fleet management profession that members can participate at whatever level they choose. I’m proud to have not only been a Member of NAFA for this period of time, but also to have been a contributing part of its success."
Dennis W. Millerbernd
Supt. of Central Equip. Svcs
City of St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park, MN
Dennis is a Member of the North Central Chapter. NAFA thanks Dennis for twenty-five years with the Association! It is the strength of Members like him that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
David Ogilvie
Haliburton, ON
David is a NAFA Past President, having served his term in 1997-1999. His term began at the FMI (now I&E) which was held that year in Montreal, Canada succeeding 24th President Jim Anselmi.
He joined NAFA in 1976 as a new employee with Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd.
Margaret Persad
Manager, Fleet Administration
Tupperware U.S. & Canada
Orlando, FL
Margaret is a Member of the Sunshine State Chapter. NAFA thanks Margaret for twenty-five years with the Association! It is the strength of Members like her that have helped make NAFA the fleet industry's strongest association.
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