Remembering Auto Driveaway's Scott Okun

It was with deep sadness that, on May 1, 2011, the membership of NAFA Fleet Management Association learned of the passing of Scott Okun, National Director of Sales and Marketing for Auto Driveaway, as well as Chapter Program Committee Chair, 2009-2011, for the NAFA Chicago Chapter. He was 51. He is survived by his wife Jennifer and two children, McKenzie, 8, and Jack, 5.

Okun worked at Auto Driveaway as National Director of Sales and Marketing for two-and-a-half years. Prior to that, Okun worked with fleets in 2003 as General Manager of I-Pass Operations for the Illinois Tollway, as well as having worked as National Account Manager, and Product Manager for companies Arthur Anderson and GC Services, respectively.

Rodney Ruth, President and CEO of Auto Driveaway, recalled Okun's commitment during his all-too-brief time with the company. "Scott was a tireless worker and forever trying to "make the sale." He combined humor with business and always tried to figure "how we could" instead of "why we couldn't."

"Scott revived the sales efforts at Auto Driveaway," Ruth said. "He tapped new markets and renewed old relationships that Auto Driveaway had from years past. Scott was an active dad and was involved with all of his kids' school activities as well as in the community he lived in. Although Scott was not in the fleet community for long, he made an impact with his involvement and willingness to help.

"He will be missed by our Auto Driveaway Family. We are thankful for the time he was with us and hope to build on the foundations he created."

He received the 2005 International Bridge Tunnel and Turnpike Association's Toll Excellence Award: I-Pass and the 2005 National Council of Public Private Partnerships Award. In his community, he received the 2008 Village of Bloomingdale Character Counts Award. Character Counts is a national organization, which is based on "Six Pillars of Character" -- trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

Okun, a NAFA Affiliate, was involved with several organizations, and was on the communications committee of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA).

The Okun family has established a trust fund for McKenzie and Jack. If you would like to make a donation please make checks payable to Jennifer Okun, with the memo line "McKenzie and Jack" and send it to:

Auto Driveaway
Attn: Rodney Ruth
11 E. Adams Street
Suite 1402
Chicago, IL 60603

NAFA Fleet Management Association
125 Village Blvd., Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004