NAFA Connection
NAFA Fleet Management Association
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) extended its thanks to NAFA and our members. In commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity celebrated the dedication of 8 new homes.
"It was a celebration of resilience, renewal, and the realization of the dream of home ownership for our hardworking partner families," said Bob Marye, Development and Faith Relations Coordinator for NOAHH. "Thank you for making the dream of home ownership attainable."
Post-Katrina, NOAHH has continued its mission to eradicate poverty housing. Together with its partner families, volunteers, and donors from around the country, NOAHH has completed more than 140 homes in New Orleans and surrounding parishes.
More than 50 of its new partner families now reside in Musicians' Village, encompassing 70 single-family homes, five elder duplexes, a toddler-friendly pocket park, and the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.
"On behalf of our partner families, board, staff and AmeriCorps, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation for the time you have given us here at New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity," said Melissa Manuselis, NOAHH Volunteer Coordinator. "By replacing dilapidated structures with bright, new homes, we are creating a safer and more positive world for children to grow up in. Don't forget that you are a part of that!"
NAFA's Fleet Management Seminars have provided fleet professionals with the most comprehensive information and training in the industry. Don't wait too much longer. All of our past seminars have sold out!
Fleet Management Seminar
June 3-5, 2009
Newark Airport Hilton Hotel
Newark, NJ
NAFA's Fleet Management Seminar is designed to provide comprehensive education to fleet managers and professionals who seek the fundamental principles and practices of successful fleet management. Topics covered include: Policies and Procedures; Acquisition and Disposal; Fleet Organization and Responsibilities; Maintenance Management; and Risk Management.
If you have any questions regarding the Fleet Management Seminar, please contact Kate Shelko at 609.986.1059 or kshelko@nafa.org. Click here to download a registration form.
Want to share your expertise? Do you have program ideas that would benefit your fleet industry peers? Take the first step in identifying the most relevant topics and issues facing fleet professionals today and submit your presentation proposal. Please include proposed title and time allotment needed.
Note: The full presentation is not needed at this time. To view the response form, click here.
Plans are already being developed for our next Institute and Expo, scheduled for April 24 - 27, 2010, in Detroit, Michigan.
The Curriculum Committee is now working to identify key topics for this future conference. All NAFA Members and Affiliates are invited to recommend ideas for topics and suggest speakers or panelists for consideration. Click here for more information.
Submissions must be received by June 5, 2009.
Send to:
Curriculum Committee
c/o Jayne Wickham
NAFA Inc.
125 Village Boulevard
Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540
Submissions may be faxed (609) 452-8004 or e-mailed to jwickham@nafa.org.
The Fleet Greenhouse Gas Calculator created by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the NAFA Fleet Management Association, makes it easier than ever for fleet managers to measure their greenhouse gas emissions as a first step in creating "greener" vehicle fleets.
The EDF-NAFA Fleet Greenhouse Gas Calculator was unveiled at the NAFA 2009 Institute & Expo in New Orleans. The Master's Seminar, entitled "Carbon Footprint Calculation and Management," covered data needs and options for quantifying fleet greenhouse gas emissions.
"Fleet managers today face immense pressures from all sides to cut costs – and reducing emissions is one way to do so," said Jason Mathers, Green Fleet project manager for EDF. "Our goal in launching this online calculator is to put fleet managers in the driver's seat when it comes to measurement, efficiency, and cost savings."
Recognizing that it is difficult to capture the complete data required by more advanced calculation methods, the Fleet Greenhouse Gas Calculator is designed to minimize data entry needs for fleets while retaining accuracy.
The Fleet Greenhouse Gas Calculator estimates total fleet greenhouse gas emissions from fuel consumption data. This data is directly used to calculate emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), which accounts for about 95 percent of greenhouse gas from vehicles. Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) are estimated based on their prominence among greenhouse gas from transportation source as reported in the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2006.You can access the calculator from the NAFA homepage, www.nafa.org, or by visiting http://edf.org/greenfleet.
Designed with you in mind, the guide will help you understand fuel supply and demand dynamics to better anticipate price changes, understand key fuel standards, and identify appropriate policies, activities, and technologies to improve fuel efficiency. A valuable appendix, comprised of additional references, makes this an "evergreen" learning tool, as links to current Websites provide you direct access to the most current information on fuels and pricing, as well as from government authorities, non-profit and association Websites, and manufacturers.
Information is easily accessible, as detailed chapters explore:
- The issues associated with the centralized fuel management of conventional fuels.
- A variety of tools to fuel decentralized fleets.
- Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles including forms of hybrid drive trains currently available.
Available in three formats to meet your project and budget needs!
- The e-download gives you instant access and portability – store it virtually anywhere: in your own "NAFA document folder," on your computer, or on your flash drive to take with you!
- The CD version offers the same practical abilities as the e-downloadable format and is a product ready to share with other members of your fleet management team or add to the department's reference shelves!
- The more traditional, spiral-bound, soft-cover book provides for easy use, especially when sharing references with colleagues.
Order today! NAFA's Fuel Management Guide will help you gain a better understanding of your second largest fleet vehicle expense.
Take part in NAFA's new Certified Automotive Fleet Supervisor (CAFS) certification program or Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) program. Both certificates will give you a leg up on your peers.
If you're interested in a career as a technician or assistant, or in other positions in the fleet-related field, the Certified Automotive Fleet Supervisor certification program is for you. The CAFS program is open to any individual with at least one year of experience as a fleet manager, assistant manager, fleet supervisor, or other fleet-related position, and it is open to those enrolled in a college or university program in a fleet-related discipline.
This CAFS certificate is awarded to those who show a proven proficiency in four specific aspects of fleet management, and who may ultimately continue their educational path towards the completion of a CAFM designation – the highest and most comprehensive certification in the fleet industry.
"The CAFM program is the only certification program that proves an individual's expertise in fleet. Other certification programs may attest that a person has minimum basic knowledge of fleet, but the CAFM program proves the person is an expert," stated Phillip Russo, CAE, NAFA Executive Director.
To earn the CAFM designation, an applicant must pass a series of comprehensive examinations to demonstrate expertise in the eight disciplines of automotive fleet management: Fleet Information Management, Maintenance Management, Professional Development, Vehicle Fuel Management, Asset Management, Business Management, Financial Management, and Risk Management. Designed to identify and recognize exceptional fleet management professionals, many employers now require fleet managers to obtain the CAFM designation prior to, or shortly after, employment.
"After 13 years and a variety of positions in the fleet industry, I felt it was time to challenge myself. After looking at the opportunities available, it was evident that the NAFA CAFM program was the most respected program available in the fleet industry. My employer stood behind me throughout the CAFM experience and understood that attaining this certification adds value to my position," said Donald M. Lubinsky, CAFM, Director Automotive for AMTRAK.
A CAFM certification clearly makes a fleet professional stand apart from the competition. Currently less than 400 fleet managers have joined the exclusive ranks of CAFM certification holders. For more information about the CAFM or CAFS program, click here.
As a fleet professional, you have valuable knowledge and numerous experiences with a wide variety of fleet concerns that fleet managers would benefit from learning about. NAFA needs this information and perspective, as NAFA Affiliates are an important part of the NAFA family!
NAFA wants your input for educational articles in NAFA publications! What are you doing to save money? How do you see the economy affecting and impacting fleet management? These are just a handful of topics.
Share your ideas today. Don't just talk about your ideas to your peers; submit your idea for a FLEETSolutions or FleetFOCUS article. Contact Gary Wien, Communications Manager, at gwien@nafa.org, or Tina Perrotta, Communications Assistant, at tperrotta@nafa.org, with your suggestions.
Real-time asset data is viewed as the most critical information in effectively managing fleet operations, according to recent findings from a GE Capital Fleet Services' survey. More than half (56 percent) of those polled said the ability to track metrics, such as miles driven and fuel consumption, are key to their operations.
In addition, productivity metrics, which include tracking travel time and the number of jobs or deliveries per day, are seen as helpful for managing fleets by 26 percent of the respondents.
When asked what their number one concern is, responses were mixed amongst the fleet managers polled at the annual NAFA Institute & Expo in New Orleans. Meeting cost-cutting goals was of highest concern for 28 percent of respondents; 28 percent cited ensuring high workforce productivity; and 26 percent named volatile fuel prices.
When considering the area in which their service providers supply the most value, fleet managers cited improving overall efficiencies and providing cost savings, at 40 percent and 36 percent respectively.
Finally, the progressive movement toward businesses going green and reducing impact on the environment is currently a leading program among fleet managers, with almost 75 percent of respondents saying that their strategy currently includes a green initiative.
"In the midst of the downturn, fleet managers understand they have an opportunity to support overall business objectives by being mindful of cost while continuing to think strategically about the operation of their fleets," said Clarence Nunn, CEO of GE Capital Fleet Services. "We continue to provide customers with in-depth data and analysis to help them make smarter business decisions and maximize their return on fleet investment."
As part of the restructuring process, Chrysler, LLC announced eight facilities are planned for closure before or by December 2010: Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Sterling Heights, Michigan); Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (Detroit, Michigan); St. Louis North Assembly Plant (Fenton, Misouri); St. Louis South Assembly Plant (closed); Newark Assembly Plant (closed); Detroit Axle Plant (Detroit, Michigan); Kenosha Engine Plant (Kenosha, Wisconsin); and Twinsburg Stamping Plant (Twinsburg, Ohio).
The United Auto Workers union sought to ensure that affected employees would be afforded the best possible options to manage their uncertain future employment.
As a result, Chrysler will expand the existing 2009 retirement and separation program offerings at these impacted locations, excluding Detroit Axle. As announced earlier, Chrysler employees at Detroit Axle will be transitioned to the Marysville facility scheduled to open in 2010.
Earlier this year, the company and the union agreed to offer employees the opportunity to accept various separation or retirement offerings. Employees at all manufacturing facilities are eligible for at least one program offering. The existing program window has been extended until May 26, 2009. Separations will occur on May 27, 2009.
The company took great care to protect outstanding special program payments in the employee motion filed in court. All special program checks and vouchers previously issued but not cashed, and future special program checks and vouchers to be issued, will be honored. Funds have been reserved to ensure that future special program separation payment obligations will be met.
Chrysler, LLC recently filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeking to reject certain U.S. dealer agreements and a list of U.S. dealer agreements to be assigned to the buyer of its business assets. Subject to Court approval, 2,392 Chrysler, Jeep, or Dodge dealers will continue with the new company in a global alliance with Fiat once the sale is complete. This action will help improve the landscape of the Chrysler dealership network following the sale and enhance the full line portfolio of Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler products for customers.
"We are in the process of revitalizing Chrysler's business to succeed as a viable enterprise under new ownership in the future," said Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President. "The unprecedented decline in the industry has had a significant impact on our sales and forced us to reduce production levels to better match the needs of the market. With the downsizing of operations after the sale and reduction of plants and production, similar reductions must be made to the size of the dealer body. We appreciate the support of our dealers and regret this painful action. We wish market conditions made it possible to keep everyone."
Chrysler plans to maintain "business as usual" with all of its dealers through the transition. The company intends to honor warranty and incentive payments during the period that rejected dealers remain active. To ease the burden on dealers whose agreements have not been assumed, Chrysler will work to assist in the redistribution of new vehicles and parts to the remaining dealer network.
"It is with a deep sense of sadness that we must take steps to end some of our Sales and Service Dealer Agreements," said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President, North American Sales and Marketing, Global Service and Parts. "The decision, though difficult, was based on a data-driven matrix that assessed a number of key metrics. In total, 789 dealers, which represents 14 percent of our sales volume, will be rejected and, subject to the court approval, they will discontinue selling Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep vehicles on or about June 9."
Additionally, on May 12, the Court approved the motion regarding Chrysler, LLC's agreement with GMAC Financial Services to provide the automotive financing products and services to the company's dealers and customers moving forward. GMAC Financial Services will be the preferred lender in North America for Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge dealer and consumer business, including wholesale of new and used vehicles as well as retail. GMAC Financial Services will be able to offer the best long-term finance options for Chrysler dealerships and customers and is established as a bank holding company with access to a variety of funding sources.
Chrysler, LLC will begin the process of assuming and assigning the overwhelming majority of the company's supplier contracts to the new company established in a global alliance with Fiat SpA once a sale is complete. In connection with this announcement, Chrysler has instituted a process pursuant to which suppliers may be paid on account of pre-bankruptcy accounts receivable.
As part of these efforts, Chrysler will mail letters to approximately 1,200 of its suppliers setting forth the amounts that Chrysler has determined will be required to "cure" all contracts to be assumed and assigned. These letters also provide details of the process by which suppliers can begin receiving payment of such amounts.
"This is very good news for suppliers and Chrysler," said Scott Garberding, Senior Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer – Chrysler, LLC. "I know there was great anxiety in the supplier community when we announced Chrysler's Chapter 11 filing. This should be a great relief. The terms are fair and far better than the treatment trade creditors usually get in a bankruptcy case and provide a mechanism for quick resolution of all open issues."
An initial list of suppliers being asked to go forward with the new company is included in court documents filed on May 15 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The list is not a complete or final listing of suppliers for the new company, and Chrysler will continue to work with those suppliers who wish to become part of the new enterprise.
As noted in General Motors S-4 filing and updated Viability Plan, the company plans to reduce its dealer network from 5,969 stores today to approximately 3,600 by the end of 2010.
This process started on May 15 as GM began contacting dealers regarding its long-term planning. Approximately 1,100 underperforming and very small sales volume U.S. dealers will be advised that GM does not see them as part of its dealer network on a long-term basis. In most cases, existing franchise agreements run through October of 2010.
In addition, GM will be updating about 470 Saturn, HUMMER, and Saab dealers on the status of those brands and will be discussing how the remaining dealers will support our retail plans going forward. While additional cuts will be made, GM believes the vast majority (more than 90 percent) of the remaining dealers will be offered a chance to remain with the company. However, specific dealer issues, further attrition and additional possible dealer network actions are expected to bring the number of future GM dealers to around 3,600 by the end of 2010, as described in the plan. The actual number could vary given levels of attrition and other factors outside of GM's control.
"In response, we are letting them know about our long term plans. GM's viability plan calls for fewer, stronger brands as well as fewer, stronger dealers. We have taken a very difficult step by identifying those dealerships we'd like to keep in the GM dealer network and those with whom we will have to wind down our business relationships," said Mark LaNeve, GM Vice President of Sales Service and Marketing.
As independently owned businesses, dealer owners will make their own decisions if and when they want to make this information public. GM is not releasing the names of any dealers.
"We are not terminating any dealerships today," LaNeve clarified. "We will be talking to all of our dealers over the next few weeks, letting them know now in the spirit of open communication, so they are advised well in advance, about our long-term plans and their role in them. Long term, GM should have fewer, healthier dealers, maintaining GM's current high customer satisfaction ratings, with more sales per outlet."
An enhancement to its flagship emergency services will enable OnStar to electronically transmit precise longitude and latitude vehicle location data directly to 911 centers to increase the speed and accuracy of emergency response to its subscribers. Currently this information is relayed verbally by OnStar advisors to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
OnStar security and communications services uses advanced vehicle-based Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to generate a vehicle's precise location during an emergency call. With this newest OnStar enhancement, 911 centers can automatically receive specific vehicle location information (longitude and latitude) in the 911 Automatic Location Identification (ALI) data display which may interface with a sophisticated mapping system used in many jurisdictions to expedite locating emergency victims.
"In an emergency, accurate location is the most important piece of information to ensure that help arrives promptly at the scene," said Cathy McCormick, Emergency and Security Service Line Manager, OnStar.
Ford Motor Company has agreed to sell 300 million shares of its common stock in a public offering at a price of $4.75 per share for total gross proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion.
Ford also granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 45 million additional shares of common stock to cover over-allotments.
Net proceeds to Ford from the offering are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including to fund with cash, instead of stock, a portion of the payments the company is required to make to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) retiree health care trust with the United Auto Workers.
Under the previously announced agreement in principle with the UAW, Ford has the option to settle up to 50 percent of its obligations to the VEBA in shares of Ford common stock, that includes three separate payments of $610 million due in December 2009, June 2010, and June 2011.
If Ford were to elect to settle those obligations by issuing stock to the VEBA, the number of shares Ford would have to issue would be calculated at the following share prices: December 2009: $2.00; June 2010: $2.10; and June 2011: $2.20. By accessing the equity market now and potentially using the proceeds to pay those VEBA obligations in cash, Ford plan is to strengthen its balance sheet, and also significantly reduce the potential future dilutive impact of the UAW agreement.
Citi, Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co. are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering.
Ford Motor Company was recently recognized with the esteemed Green Choice Award by Natural Health magazine. Ford received this award for its continuous efforts towards building a greener future. The company and its products were judged in a number of different areas such as alternative energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, recycling, operational energy footprints, and LEED certifications. All data collected by Natural Health magazine was submitted by Ford.
The following are some highlights of Ford's ongoing environmental initiatives:
- Each year, Ford conserves up to 900 tons of carbon emissions and 600,000 gallons of water because Escape Hybrid seats are made with 100 percent post-industrial recycled fabric.
- Since 2000, Ford has cut its global energy use by nearly one third, in part by upgrading plants with more efficient equipment.
- Ford gives employees two paid days off a year to do volunteer work — in 2008, it committed a total of 124,000 hours. At 17 of the company's facilities, staffers have turned vacant plots of land into habitats for local plants and animals, and created walking trails to encourage nearby residents to visit.
- Ford's EcoBoost engine, which the company launched this year, improves vehicle fuel economy by as much as 20 percent.
Province of Nova Scotia Implements New Vehicle Inspection Rules
Service Nova Scotia Minister Richard Hurlburt has announced new inspection rules for motor vehicles on Nova Scotia roads and highways. The Minister highlighted that the new rules, scheduled to take effect on June 1, are about making the province's roads safer.
Several mechanics in the Halifax area have stated that the new rules will likely result in more tickets and fines for car owners. Under the rules, new cars, vans, and trucks purchased after April 1 will not be required to undergo an inspection for three years. All other vehicles will be required to be inspected only every second year.
Additionally, the provincial government will also increase its roadside inspections. Mechanics have highlighted that with the relaxation of inspections, more cars will pass inspection at the service garage, but they will possibly fail a roadside inspection later on, resulting in more fines.
Minister Hurlburt stated the new rules are not about gouging motorists. Road safety is paramount to the Nova Scotia government and Nova Scotians, and their ultimate goal is to ensure the vehicles on the highway are safe to be on the highway.
EPA Extends Comment Deadlines on E15
EPA is extending the comment period by 60 days on a waiver application requesting an increase in the amount of ethanol blended into a gallon of gasoline to up to 15 percent by volume (E15). The original public comment period was to end on May 21, and will now end on July 20. The current limit on the amount of ethanol that can be blended into a gallon of gasoline is at 10 percent by volume ethanol (E10) for conventional (non flex-fuel) vehicles.
EPA Holds GHG Hearing
EPA held the first of two public hearings on May 18 regarding the agency's proposed findings that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare. The proposed findings identify six greenhouse gases that pose a potential threat.
California Approves Biodiesel USTs
California's Water Resources Control Board has expanded its approval for storing biodiesel blends in underground tanks from the existing B5 limitation to up to B20, in a resolution adopted May 5.
A 25-year-old California law had required the storage of any chemical in underground tanks to be tested and independently certified as being compatible with the tank materials. With only B5 blends having been tested, the water board approved a three-year emergency variance to allow higher blends up to B20 in double-walled tanks and piping that currently meet requirements for petroleum-based fuels. The three-year variance will assist the state in meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and fleet requirements under the federal energy policy act.
In January, a NAFA group met with Control Board officials to begin a dialogue on measures that fleets could implement to reduce the risk of UST releases. During the meeting, NAFA representatives brought to the state's attention that biodiesel was an important compliance option under the federal energy policy act.
House Committee Moves Forward on Climate Change
On May 18, the House Energy and Commerce Committee began voting on climate change legislation. "H.R. 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act," was introduced by Chairman Henry A. Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Edward J. Markey. The bill includes several modifications to an earlier draft. The legislation sets national targets for greenhouse-gas emissions under a cap-and-trade system and gradually lowers the overall level of greenhouse gas emissions.
The bill gives EPA the authority to require large vehicle fleets to report their greenhouse gas emissions (fleets with emissions of more than 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent on an annual basis). The bill also amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to require state fleets to meet the same requirements as federal fleets.
President Barack Obama's administration is taking several steps to advance biofuels research and commercialization. The president signed a Presidential Directive to help preserve biofuel industry jobs and to establish the Biofuels Interagency Working Group, which will be the United States first comprehensive biofuels market development program.
The new Biofuels Interagency Working Group will be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Energy and Agriculture and the EPA Administrator, and it will work with the National Science and Technology Council's Biomass Research and Development Board.
In addition to this announcement, the president also announced the DOE will release $786.5 million in Recovery Act funds to accelerate advanced biofuels research, development, and deployment, and that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the federal Renewable Fuels Standard. The EPA proposal outlines the agency's strategy for increasing the supply of renewable fuels.
The EPA would establish four categories of renewable fuels, some of which would be produced form new sources. To address lifecyle analysis, the EPA said it is soliciting peer-reviewed, scientific feedback to ensure that the best science available is utilized prior to implementation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will also make financing from the 2008 farm bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) available within the next 30 days, including loan guarantees for commercial-scale biorefineries, grants for demonstration-scale biorefineries, expedited funding for installing biomass energy systems at biorefineries, and expedited funding to encourage the production of next-generation biofuels.
President Obama directed Secretary Tom Vilsack to expedite and increase production of and investment in biofuel development efforts by refinancing existing investments in renewable fuels to preserve jobs in ethanol and biodiesel plants, renewable electricity generation plants, and other supporting industries; and making renewable energy financing opportunities from the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 available within 30 days.
The Biofuels Interagency Working Group will also work to develop policies to increase flexible fuel vehicle production and assist in retail marketing efforts while also taking into consideration land use, habitat conservation, crop management practices, water efficiency and water quality, and lifecycle assessments of greenhouse gas emissions.
Rentech, Inc. announced a plan to build a plant in Rialto, California, for the production of ultra-clean synthetic fuels and electric power from renewable waste biomass feedstocks.
The primary feedstock for the Rialto Project will be urban woody green waste, such as yard clippings, for which Rentech is currently negotiating supply agreements. The location of the project will provide local green waste haulers with a cost-effective alternative to increasingly scarce landfills for the disposal of woody green waste. The plant is designed to also use bio-solids for a portion of the feedstock, which is expected to be provided under a supply agreement with EnerTech Environmental.
The Rialto Renewable Energy Center (Rialto Project) is designed to produce approximately 600 barrels per day of pure renewable synthetic fuels and export approximately 35 megawatts of renewable electric power that is expected to qualify under California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program, which requires utilities to increase the amount of electric power they sell from qualified renewable-energy resources. The plant will be capable of providing enough electricity for approximately 30,000 homes.
RenDiesel™, the renewable synthetic diesel to be produced at the facility, is compatible with existing engines and pipelines and burns cleanly. The carbon footprint of the plant is designed to be near zero as the fuels and power would be produced only from renewable feedstocks.
Rentech has entered into a licensing agreement with SilvaGas Corporation for biomass gasification technology for the Rialto facility.
Having completed preliminary scoping studies, Rentech has engaged Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. to conduct the feasibility engineering phase of the project, which is expected to be completed over the next several months.
Order by May 31 and Save 25 Percent on NAFA's Personal Use for Fleets CD-ROM
Personal Use for Fleets CD-ROM
NAFA's Personal Use CD-ROM is a comprehensive tool to instruct and assist you in gaining a greater understanding of this core competency for successful fleet management. The CD offers examples of various plans, data structures, IRS guidelines and rules, liability exposure, how to identify and gather critical information, policy development, and personal use management. The CD-ROM format proves easy navigation and access to many samples, reference documents and complicated IRS rules and regulations.
Did you know about NAFA's other products, such as the NAFA Vehicle Classification System or Personal Use for Fleets CD or Request for Proposals Guide CD? Review all NAFA products at the online store (www.nafa.org/store), or to download the current catalog, click here.
NAFA has provided space in each issue of the FleetFOCUS for companies and organizations to advertise career opportunities in the fleet industry. Members can also market themselves to potential employers. If you're interested in this opportunity, make your listings 200 words or fewer. Links to complete job descriptions on the company's website are suggested. Please note all of the materials a candidate must supply in order to be considered for the position (e.g., resume, salary history, municipal application, etc.). To take advantage of this service, e-mail your ad to Patrick McCarren at pmccarren@nafa.org.
Job Wanted Listings Provide New Networking Opportunities!
Are you looking for a new job or a motivated, hard-working employee? NAFA's Job Wanted Listings is an exclusive benefit for Members and Affiliates who are looking to make a career change. PLEASE NOTE: This new and exclusive benefit is FREE! To take advantage of this service, e-mail your job wanted posting to Maureen Smith at msmith@nafa.org.
May Job Postings
Regional Fleet Sales Manager - South-East
Resume Bank
NAFA is going one step further to help those in the industry gain employment. For a small fee, NAFA will send resumes to any prospective employer who places an ad on the Career Network Section of the NAFA website. Employers will be provided with new, up-to-date resumes that fit the job, for a small cost.
There is still no charge to submit a resume to the resume bank. To be included in the resume bank, please send a current version of your resume to Maureen Smith, NAFA, Inc., 125 Village Blvd., Suite 200, Princeton, NJ 08540; or fax it to 609-452-8004. Resumes can also be e-mailed to Maureen Smith at msmith@nafa.org. A few tips and reminders: If you would like to include a generic cover letter to be sent to potential employers, please include that as part of your resume. Make sure your home address, home phone or cell phone and personal e-mail address are included on your resume. Potential employers will contact you directly. NAFA has a number of fleet-related job openings on the Jobs Wanted/Available page (click here).
Industry Calendar
Click Here
NAFA's 34 local chapters across Canada and the United States offer you numerous opportunities to meet colleagues and receive valuable fleet management education to keep you informed! Each year, more than 100 NAFA Chapter meetings provide top-level education and training on a wide variety of timely topics.
May Chapter meetings will take place:
May 20, 2009
New England Chapter and Greater Hartford Chapter - Defensive Driving
Location: Mass. State Police Fleet Facility, Devens Moore Army Airfield, Ayer, MA
Contact: Karen Kerns, F: 401.392.4940, karen.kearns@gtech.com
May 20, 2009
Tri-State Chapter - Meeting
Location: Chruchill Downs, Louisville, KY
Contact: John Williams, P: 513.825.8599 ext. 109, jwilliams@greatparks.org
May 21, 2009
Arizona Chapter - Meeting
Location: METRO Operations and Maintenance Center, Phoenix, AZ
Contact: Mark Manney, P: 602.484.7055, mark@nationalautomart.com
May 28, 2009
Chesapeake Chapter - Meeting With Nations Capitol Chapter
Location: Governor's House in Annapolis, MD
Contact: Donna Kelly, donna.j.kelly@firstgroup.com, P: 410.879.6220
May 28, 2009
Mid-West Chapter - Meeting
Location: Farm Bureau Insurance, West Des Moines, IA
Contact: Mike McDonald, P: 402.896.3884
mike.mcdonald@mosaicinfo.org
RSVP by May 22
As a service to NAFA Members, Patrick O'Connor and Huw Williams, NAFA's U.S. and Canadian legislative counsels, respectively, supply monthly updates on current legislative issues impacting the fleet industry. These updates, e-mailed to NAFA Members the first week of each month, are posted in PDF format at a MEMBERS ONLY SECTION on www.nafa.org.
Legislative Updates are issued monthly to NAFA Members and then archived online. With this e-newsletter, NAFA Members can easily check on the progress and status of current legislation. Click here for more information.
Three online, searchable networking databases will put you in easy touch with all your NAFA colleagues. These databases are exclusively for the use of the NAFA membership. Our three databases help YOU find:
- Fellow Members and Affiliates based on name, geographic area, or chapter.
- An expert who has volunteered to answer questions from colleagues on specific topics that are important to you.
- An Affiliate product or service; you can choose from more than 50 categories.
You must be a Member or Affiliate to utilize the online networking databases. To start your search, click here.
NAFA's FleetED is designed to help you quickly find references and educational resources that you need now.
From asset management to maintenance management, benchmarking, and shop operations, NAFA's FleetED covers all fleet management disciplines and competencies, making this free Web site your fast online portal to all fleet management education.
Easily look up available resources while scanning an overview of a particular fleet management discipline. Complete a brief self-assessment test, selected by discipline, to confirm your strengths and discover what areas may need a little more concentration. These quizzes provide real-time feedback, with suggested education content according to your assessment results.
Whether you are looking for something specific or just trying to figure out what you need to know, NAFA's FleetED will guide you to valuable, comprehensive education content and reference materials. Visit FleetED at www.nafa.org/fleeted.
e-Communities offers members the chance to reach colleagues and share ideas when they need to -- anytime, anywhere. These virtual neighborhoods allow members to easily e-mail others within that community with specific fleet questions. As a subscriber to e-Communities, you can:
- View real-time activity between other subscribed members within the group(s) you subscribe to.
- Share your knowledge and assist a fellow member in need, access lists of subscribers for each group, and access a history of inquiries posted to e-Communities.
- Some of the topics include alternative fuels, disaster relief, fleet maintenance, global fleet, law enforcement, and many more! Come be a part of NAFA's community!
To visit e-Communities, please click here.
Have you been promoted? Is your company moving? Did you get a new job? Are you retiring? Remember to notify NAFA about these and other changes.
If you are retiring, please contact NAFA, as you may be eligible to become a NAFA alumnus and stay in touch with your NAFA colleagues and friends.
There are two easy ways to both help your colleagues keep in touch and make changes to your membership record: 1) click on "My Profile" on the NAFA homepage and submit changes, or 2) e-mail info@nafa.org.
NAFA cares about your privacy. As such, NAFA does not sell or rent e-mail addresses or phone numbers of its Members or Affiliates. NAFA also does not endorse any particular product or service provided by fleet suppliers. If you receive an e-mail (or any other form of communication) from a supplier that implies a NAFA endorsement or uses the NAFA name or likeness to imply endorsement, please notify NAFA immediately. We will issue a "cease and desist" notice and pursue action as necessary. (You should know that e-mail addresses are part of the online PDF files NAFA posts each month for communication among NAFA Members and Affiliates. Access to these files is restricted to NAFA Members and Affiliates.)
For NAFA's complete privacy policy, please click here: http://www.nafa.org/Template.cfm?Section=Privacy_Policy.