IBTTA Statement on Confirmation of Anthony Foxx

WASHINGTON – After the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Anthony Foxx as the next Secretary of the U. S. Department of Transportation, Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director and CEO of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the worldwide association representing toll facility owners and operators and the businesses that serve them, released the following statement:

“IBTTA congratulates Secretary Foxx on his confirmation today as the next U. S. Secretary of Transportation. Secretary Foxx’s leadership comes at a time when our nation confronts unprecedented transportation infrastructure funding challenges. We look forward to working with Secretary Foxx to overcome the transportation funding crisis, to improve transportation safety, to use innovative technologies to enhance the capacity of our road network and to rebuild our transportation infrastructure as an engine for jobs and economic growth.”

“We also extend our gratitude to outgoing Secretary Ray Lahood for his outstanding record of public service, his leadership of the department and his steadfast commitment to advance highway safety through his Distracted Driving Initiative. We agree with Secretary Lahood that we as a nation must explore alternative funding options, including tolling, to address our nation’s transportation infrastructure challenges. IBTTA wishes him well in the next chapter of his life.” 

In an interview earlier this week with the Detroit News, outgoing Transportation Secretary Lahood acknowledged the need for Congress to look toward new revenue funding options to fix America's crumbling infrastructure. In the story, Lahood is quoted as saying, "Eventually people in the communities are going to persuade their members of Congress: We’re willing to raise taxes, we’re willing to pay tolls, we’re willing to go to vehicle miles traveled because we want better roads, better bridges."

WEX Signs Long-Term Private Label Agreement with CITGO

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 27, 2013-- WEX Inc. (NYSE: WEX), a leading provider of corporate payment solutions, today announced it has signed a long-term agreement to provide private label and co-branded universal fleet card services to CITGO Petroleum Corporation.

Through this agreement, WEX will issue fleet cards, provide related payment services to CITGO customers, and convert the CITGO fleet card portfolio to its platform. This provides customers with a complete range of information, features and functionality to manage their fleets. Together, WEX and CITGO will build a comprehensive sales and marketing program for direct sales and will also support the local efforts of CITGO marketers and retailers representing more than 6,000 branded retail locations.

“We’re excited to add the CITGO brand to our private label portfolio and to leverage its strong market presence in the Eastern United States,” said Ken Janosick, senior vice president of fleet payment solutions at WEX. “The agreement with CITGO underscores our commitment to growth in the North American fleet market and offers fleet customers another robust fleet card program option with one of the most recognized brands in the industry.”

The new program will include a competitive rebate offer on CITGO fuel through a single-branded proprietary fleet card good only at the CITGO locations, as well as a co-branded universal card, which will be accepted at more than 150,000 fuel and service locations throughout the United States. These commercial offerings will bring value to loyal businesses and CITGO-branded marketers and retailers.

"WEX provides the best competitive offerings for our fleet customers, and by working together, we believe we can substantially grow our fleet business,” said Alan Flagg, general manager of light oils marketing for CITGO Petroleum Corporation. "As an industry leader, WEX brings great brand value and superior performance, both of which are important to our marketers and retailers. WEX is a great fit for CITGO in the fleet market.”

About WEX Inc.

WEX Inc. (NYSE: WEX) is a leading provider of corporate payment solutions. From its roots in fleet card payments beginning in 1983, WEX has expanded the scope of its business into a multi-channel provider of corporate payment solutions representing more than 7.5 million cardholders and offering exceptional payment security and control across a wide spectrum of business sectors. The Company’s operations include WEX Bank, Fleet One, Pacific Pride, rapid! PayCard, Wright Express Australia, Wright Express New Zealand and CorporatePay Limited, England, as well as a majority equity position in UNIK S.A., Brazil. WEX and its subsidiaries employ more than 1,300 associates. For more information about WEX, please visit WEXInc.com.

About CITGO Petroleum Corporation

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

NAFA Announces Details For 3rd Annual International Fleet Academy

(PRINCETON, NJ – June 20, 2013)  -- For more and more corporate fleet managers, work no longer ends at the border.  As companies expand globally, many find themselves not only being asked to develop and implement fleet policies for their own region, but for their company’s entire operation.  These fleet professionals face cultural differences, language barriers, and resistance to change from long-standing traditions.  NAFA Fleet Management Association, the leader in global fleet management education, offers guidance for those who manage global fleets with its 3^rd Annual International Fleet Academy this October.

NAFA’s International Fleet Academy is the premier industry event for global fleet managers.  The three day conference (October 21-23, 2013) will demystify global fleet management as experts and panel discussions provide valuable cost-savings strategies, offer strategic overviews on the differences among countries and cultures, list the right questions to ask during the Request For Information or Request For Quote processes, and present valuable lessons on how to decrease your corporate liability by avoiding international insurance pitfalls.  In addition to over 15 educational sessions, the conference offers networking opportunities throughout the day and a cocktail reception and dinner each night

“Whether you are just building the infrastructure for a global fleet or are an experienced professional with a complex fleet that spans across numerous nations and cultures, NAFA’s International Fleet Academy will benefit you,” said NAFA’s Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE.  “From the educational sessions to the opportunity to network with other fleet professionals facing the same global challenges that you are, this conference is a must-attend event for the serious global fleet professional!”

NAFA’s 3^rd Annual International Fleet Academy takes place at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, Arizona.  Early-bird registration is $650 for NAFA members and $1,105 for non-members.  After August 16, registration costs are $799 for NAFA members and $1,550 for non-members.  Fleet professionals may save $200 off the registration costs by joining NAFA as they register.

Session topics include

·         Challenges & Priorities in the Global Fleet Market

·         Differences Among the World: Europe, China, Mexico, Brazil, Australia

·         Fleet and Taxation Around the Globe

·         Aligning 51 Countries and 60 Suppliers: A Case Study in Success

·         The International RFI-RFQ Process – a special fleet manager-only session moderated by

NAFA’s International Vice President, Joseph LaRosa

·         Running an International Fleet Insurance Project

·         Special Panel Discussion: Fleet Managers Share Their Stories and Answer Your Questions

Each attendee will receive a value-added resource package worth $2,500.  The package includes a ready-to-use executive summary; free subscription to International Fleet World magazine; the newly published NAFA’s Global Fleet Guide; Valuable checklists for policies, RFIs, and RFQs; and the Global Mobility Taxation Guide.

For more information visit http://www.nafa.org/international.

About NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org

LeasePlan Is First Fleet Management Company To Endorse NAFA’s Certification Programs

(PRINCETON, NJ – JUNE 18, 2013)  -- With each new endorsement it becomes increasingly clear that the major players in fleet management are rallying around NAFA’s certification programs as the industry standard.  LeasePlan, one of the world’s leading fleet and vehicle leasing companies, is the first fleet management company to endorse NAFA’s Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) and Certified Automotive Fleet Specialist (CAFS) programs.

“LeasePlan is proud to already have five CAFM graduates on staff and equally proud to be the first fleet management company to officially endorse NAFA’s CAFM program,” said Mike Pitcher, President and CEO of LeasePlan USA.  “This program has proven to be highly effective at covering every aspect of fleet management.  After careful evaluation, we believe NAFA’s CAFM program to be the premier program in the industry.”

“NAFA’s CAFM program is the only certification program that proves an individual’s expertise in fleet,” said NAFA’s Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE.  “While other programs may attest that a person has minimum basic knowledge of fleet in certain specific areas, only the CAFM program makes you earn the designation by showing you understand every aspect of fleet management.”

To earn CAFM status, fleet professionals must demonstrate their expertise by passing a series of comprehensive examinations that cover eight disciplines of automotive fleet management.   The disciplines include Fleet Information Management, Maintenance Management, Professional Development, Vehicle Fuel Management, Asset Management, Business Management, Financial Management, and Risk Management.  In addition to the CAFM program, NAFA offers the CAFS certification, which gives candidates the option of selecting one of three discipline sets based on their education or employment needs.

“Fleet management is an ever-changing industry,” continued Russo.  “Every day, more and more employers are recognizing that fleet managers with a CAFM have the experience, the knowledge, and the expertise needed for the job.”

NAFA’s CAFM program is also endorsed by the National Conference of State Fleet Administrators (NCSFA), Rocky Mountain Fleet Management Association (RMFMA), and Florida Association of Governmental Fleet Administrators (FLAGFA).  In addition, the CAFM program is offered for college credit at Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Michigan), Georgian College (Barrie, Ontario, Canada), and Ranken Technical College (St. Louis, Missouri).

For more information on the CAFM program and the Certified Automotive Fleet Specialist (CAFS) program (for those starting out in the fleet profession), please visit www.fleetcertification.org.

About LeasePlan

LeasePlan is the world’s leading provider of fleet and vehicle management solutions with 1.35 million vehicles managed worldwide. Operating out of 31 countries around the globe, the company has a passion for exceptional customer service. LeasePlan prides itself on delivering high-touch service and innovative products that offer total cost reduction for corporate and government fleets. With 50 years’ experience, LeasePlan’s experts find ways to get the most out of clients’ vehicles, budget and time. Find out why LeasePlan clients agree that it’s easier to leaseplan. Visit www.us.leaseplan.com for more information.

About NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org

NAFA Member Richard Battersby Named Public Sector Fleet Manager Of The Year

(PRINCETON, NJ – June 14, 2013)  -- NAFA Fleet Management Association is proud to announce that Richard Battersby, CAFM, CPFP, Director, Fleet Services at the University of California, Davis, was named the Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year by Government Fleet magazine on June 12 during the Government Fleet Expo & Conference (GFX).  Battersby has been an active member of NAFA for over 13 years, serving on both the national and local chapter level.

Battersby has been Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chair for NAFA’s Norcal North Nevada Chapter.  In addition, he has served on NAFA’s National FleetED Advisory Council, I&E Curriculum Committee, and currently serves as Vice Chair of NAFA’s Fuels & Technology Advisory Council.

The three finalists for the 2013 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year Award are all NAFA Members.  In addition to Battersby, the finalists included Paul Condran, Equipment Maintenance/Fleet Manager, City of Culver City, CA and William Griffiths, Fleet Management Division Chief, Montgomery County, MD.

“We always say our Association includes the best and brightest fleet management professionals and having award finalists like this only bolsters that claim,” said NAFA’s Executive Director Phillip E. Russo, CAE.  “We are extremely proud of the work done by Battersby and elated to see him recognized in this way.  But we are also very proud of the work done by Condran, and Griffiths. It’s a shame that only one could win the award as they’re all winners in my book!”

According to Government Fleet, Battersby's accomplishments include achieving a three-year goal to stabilize the fleet department's operations, introduce efficiency improvements, and correct an operating deficit of $800,000 annually. Condran's achievements include assisting other fleets on the principles of fleet management and alternative fuels as well achieving 80% of the fleet's benchmarking goals. Griffiths' achievements include developing a FY-13 strategic business plan that brought the team together, and accomplishing the key goals of the plan.

About NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org