(PRINCETON, NJ - JANUARY 15, 2013) - Few aspects of the job can produce as many sleepless nights for a fleet manager as the issue of safety. Whether it's monitoring employee motor vehicle records or combating distracted driving through comprehensive safety policies, fleet management and safety go hand in hand. Attendees to NAFA Fleet Management Association's 2013 Institute & Expo (I&E) will have the opportunity to listen to a true safety expert - Janet Froetscher, the President & CEO of the National Safety Council - who will close out the final day of the 2013 I&E with a keynote presentation in the morning.
Under Ms. Froetscher's leadership, the National Safety Council has focused on key safety initiatives, grounded in science, to advance its mission of preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads. These initiatives include the creation of the Journey to Safety Excellence approach to workplace safety that promotes continuous improvement of leadership and performance measurement. Ms. Froetscher has also led the Council in taking a leadership role on the issues of distracted and teen driving.
The National Safety Council was the first organization to call for a national ban on cell phone use while driving; has driven 34 states to pass texting laws; and has encouraged corporations to adopt corporate cell phone bans. The Council has also been successful in advocating for better graduated driving license requirements for teen drivers and in promoting education for parents of teen drivers.
"NAFA is thrilled to have Janet Froetscher speak before our membership," said NAFA's Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE. "Ms. Froetscher's impressive body of work was recognized by our Association last year when she was named as one of the initial inductees of NAFA's Safety Leadership Award. She is an authority on a subject that is of great importance to every fleet manager."
Prior to joining the National Safety Council, Ms. Froetscher served as Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and Chief Operating Officer of the Aspen Institute. Her corporate experience includes leadership roles within the Commercial Club of Chicago and Bankers Trust Company. She holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Virginia and a MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
Safe driving is essential to the fleet managers who belong to NAFA, a group that collectively manages several million vehicles travelling on North American roads each day. The Association has supported the "Drive Safely Work Week" campaign by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety for several years and created its own Safety Advisory Council in 2011. The Council's mission is to ensure that safety remains on the forefront of the Association via articles in NAFA publications and is regularly included in products and services.
NAFA's 2013 Institute & Expo will take place April 23-26 in Atlantic City, the first time in a decade it has been held in the northeast. The conference features powerful keynote presentations to kick off each day, followed by more than 60 hours of fleet educational sessions, an expo with the latest products and services, and plenty of opportunities to network with the best and brightest in fleet management. For more information on the conference visit http://www.nafainstitute.org.
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
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
NAFA Announces Special Sustainability Sessions Provided By CALSTART
(PRINCETON,
NJ – DECEMBER 20, 2012) – For years, fleet managers who belong to NAFA Fleet
Management Association have been on the forefront of the transportation
sustainability movement. From the use of
alternative fuels to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, NAFA members
have been greening their fleets for decades.
Fleet managers know that every increase in the number of miles per
gallon means less fuel used, huge cost-savings, and is good for the environment
– especially when you’re in charge of thousands of vehicles on the road each
day as they are. At NAFA’s 2013
Institute & Expo (I&E), sustainability education will reach a new level
thanks to special sessions designed by CALSTART, an organization dedicated to
the growth of a clean transportation technologies industry.
“NAFA is
proud to partner with CALSTART on these great educational sessions,” said
NAFA’s Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE. “CALSTART is dedicated to
expanding and supporting a clean transportation industry that cleans the air,
creates jobs and economic opportunities, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and
secures our transportation energy future.
They are recognized as a leader in the sustainability movement, and
their expertise will be a tremendous asset for I&E attendees.”
NAFA’s 2013 I&E,
which takes place April 23-26 at the Atlantic City Convention Center, will
include the following four brand new sessions designed to provide the latest
information about advanced fuels and vehicles, and how to make them work for
fleet managers:
Alternative
Fuels and High-Efficiency Vehicles – Update for Fleets
The landscape of alternative fuels and
advanced vehicles is rapidly changing, capabilities are improving, and it is
hard for fleets to keep up. This session
will provide a valuable ten-thousand foot overview of the latest products
available today, the technology emerging in the near future, and what these
technologies and fuels can mean to fleet operations.
Myths,
Facts, and Misperceptions – The Straight Scoop on New Fuels and Tech
There are many questions, myths, and misperceptions
that surround advanced vehicles and fuels, such as: How long does a battery
last? What does it cost to replace? What costs more, a natural gas engine or its
storage tanks? These are examples of
some of the questions that can cripple your business case – and damage your
decisions – if you operate from the wrong data.
Smart
Alt Fuel and Tech Choice Workshop -- Making it Work for You
As fleets implement sustainability and
fleet greening plans, how do they make the best choice of fuel or technology
that fits their operation, geography, and vehicle mix? This session will not only review new tools
that allow fleets to assess performance and payback, but will provide a
hands-on training opportunity and an interactive workshop to share the additional
functionality needed.
Fleet
Sustainability/Greening – The Key Steps to Plan your Path
There are smart actions that fleets can
take to put them on the right path, while saving them time and money. This hands-on session will outline key steps
fleets can undertake to outline their strategic objectives, build a business
case that matches their fleet operation and vehicle needs, and make the case
for investment that can win over the “corner office”.
In addition
to these four sessions, NAFA’s 2013 I&E will include more than 60 additional
hours of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an expo floor
featuring more than 250 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and
services. For more information or to
register online, please visit http://www.nafainstitute.org.
Friday, October 12, 2012
FLEETS AND ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES THE FOCUS OF 2012 CLEAN FLEET TECHNOLOGIES CONFERENCE
WHAT:
As part of its Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles initiative, the Houston-Galveston Area Council
(H-GAC) is hosting the seventh annual Clean Fleet Technologies Conference:
Fueling the Choice. This year’s event offers interactive panel
discussions and learning sessions focused on the latest and greatest in
alternative fuels and fleet technologies.
Attendees will convene at CFTC to explore a broad range of topics, including but
not limited to: funding opportunities for advanced vehicles, fleet maintenance
and transportation, alternative fuel infrastructure developments and
energy/transportation policy.
Additional
CFTC offerings include exhibit hall displays, a vehicle “Ride & Drive”
experience, alternative fueled equipment displays and a networking reception.
Houston City Councilwoman Melissa Noriega will open the conference, with Jon
Coleman, the Ford Motor Company Sustainability & Technology Officer, as the
keynote speaker.
WHEN: Thursday,
November 15, 2012
Registration:
7:30 a.m.
Conference: 8:30
a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Reception: 3:45
p.m.
WHERE:
George R. Brown Convention Center (Downtown Houston)
1001 Avenida De Las Americas
Houston, TX 77010
COST:
$75 per attendee
School district staff and elected
officials’ fees are waived.
For
sponsorship information call Claire Quinn at 713-970-2112 or email Claire.Quinn@edelman.com
MORE:
About Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles
The Houston-Galveston Area Council’s
Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles Program serves the Houston-Galveston area,
including Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery
and Waller counties. The primary goal of the Clean Cities/Clean Vehicles
Program is to reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic
compounds (VOC) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. This program also seeks
to maximize the use of clean fuel vehicles (low emissions) operating within the
Houston region in order to improve air quality, achieve energy independence and
stimulate economic growth.
Florida’s Top Energy Official Touts Facility That Could Lead to Largest CNG Network Outside of California
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s top energy official, Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Commissioner Adam Putnam, today hailed the opening of Nopetro LLC’s state-of-the-art compressed natural gas (CNG) facility, which for the first time offers Florida and the Southeast the prospect of a viable natural gas solution not seen anywhere outside of California. The station is part of a planned regional network that will make CNG a workable cost-saving option for government and commercial fleets as well as individual CNG vehicle owners.
When Nopetro’s first-of-its-kind network of stations is completed, Putnam said, the private fleets of heavy freight vehicles that move Florida’s consumer goods will have a practical way to traverse the state and region fueled by CNG. This will produce tremendous cost savings, which will benefit consumers and the area’s economy, and as individual stations are built local schools and governments will be able to enjoy significant cost savings that will benefit the taxpayers, he said.Putnam praised Nopetro and the Leon County School District for forging a partnership to produce substantial cost savings for public schools while setting a positive, environmentally friendly example for students.
“This partnership is exactly what our Legislature had in mind when it established natural gas as a key component of the state’s transportation policies,” Putnam said. “A network of natural gas fueling stations in major cities across our state will encourage commercial fleets and individual consumers to make the move into Florida’s energy future.”
The Tallahassee facility – the largest and most expansive CNG fueling operation on the East Coast of the United States – is the product of an innovative partnership between the public and private sectors. The school district is transforming its entire fleet of diesel-powered school buses to CNG, and other public and private consumers may also fuel their CNG vehicles at the station. A portion of each sale will benefit the school district thanks to the partnership with Nopetro.
“This is truly a day worth celebrating – a big step forward in the journey toward independence from expensive foreign fuels,” said Jorge Herrera, co-founder and CEO of Nopetro, which has offices in Tallahassee and Miami. “Nopetro epitomizes the American dream of hard work producing results, and we are proud to be leading the way both here in Tallahassee and across Florida and the Southeast.”
Nopetro identified 18 additional cities it is targeting over the next three years, including Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Key Largo, Miami, Ocala, Orlando, Pensacola, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Tampa and West Palm Beach in Florida, and Atlanta, Macon and Savannah in Georgia.
This network of stations will make it possible for heavy truck traffic, local government vehicles and school buses to convert to natural gas, a fuel source that is domestically abundant and at least 25 percent cheaper and 33 percent cleaner than diesel fuel. At the start of last week (September 17), the nationwide average price of gasoline was 37 percent more expensive than natural gas and diesel was 46 percent more expensive, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
CNG is widely recognized as an ideal fuel alternative to gasoline and diesel. In addition to the fact that it is substantially cheaper and cleaner than petroleum-based fuels, the United States has one of the largest supplies of natural gas in the world.
Nopetro designs, builds, finances, operates and maintains turn-key natural gas fueling stations and supplies its customers with CNG and LNG fuel. The company also helps its customers obtain local, state and federal incentives and grants, and helps customers acquire and finance natural gas vehicles.
For more information, including a downloadable picture of the new Nopetro station, go to www.nopetro.com.
Emerald Automotive Unveils World’s First Electric Delivery Van Designed to Carry 3,000 lbs
ST. LOUIS, Mo. –Emerald
Automotive recently unveiled its new electric delivery van, the world’s first
extended range electric delivery van for fleets that does not compromise
payload—allowing companies to haul the same amount of product in electric vehicles
that is usually hauled in conventional delivery vans.
Last year, Emerald announced
plans to manufacture its custom-built electric delivery vans in Hazelwood. The
$175 million plant will bring about 600 jobs to the northwest suburb of St.
Louis.
“This vehicle has been
specifically designed for fleet customers who drive 100 miles or more each
day,” says Andy Tempest, CEO of Emerald. “These customers are spending a lot of
money on gas, and they have requested an electric vehicle that won’t compromise
on payload.”
With its 3,000 lb capacity,
the Emerald t-001 will be similar to a traditional delivery van, but with a
60-mile range in electric mode and a 400-mile range using its seven-gallon gas
tank, the van will reduce emissions by up to 80 percent and cut costs for
companies with large fleets. And with fewer moving parts than purely
gasoline-powered vans, Emerald’s hybrid electric van also will likely save on
trips to the mechanic and repair costs.
“A lot of electric delivery
vehicles are so heavy they can’t haul much,” says Gary Marble, director of
sales and communication at Emerald. “We’re bringing companies what they expect
in a delivery vehicle, and it costs far less to operate.”
Though the t-001 prototype
unveiled this month was designed, built and tested in the United Kingdom,
Emerald will produce the vehicle at its Hazelwood facility within the next two
years. The company’s goal is to build 10,000 electric vans a year for fleet
customers. The company will also be targeting fleet customers in the European
market.
About The Missouri Partnership
The Missouri Partnership is
a public-private, non-profit corporation with the principal mission of
recruiting new business investment to the state. Through collaborative
efforts with state and local partners, the Missouri Partnership works to
attract new companies and market the state’s business advantages to U.S. and
international companies. For more information, please visit www.missouripartnership.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)