A Diamond Refined: NAFA Celebrates 60 Years
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On April 11, 1957, NAFA’s Articles of Incorporation were signed and NAFA officially came into being. I’m sure the visionary men who dreamed up NAFA in that smoke-filled room at Chicago’s Congress Hotel could never have envisioned what NAFA would be, or what the fleet profession would look like, today. It’s hard to believe, but I’ve been with NAFA more than 25 of its 60 years. I was here when NAFA took its first step onto the worldwide web and launched www.nafa.org. I remember when the association made its first outreach to public service fleets, which at that time did not have representation anywhere else. I was around when NAFA began to flex its muscles in Washington, DC, leveraging its membership size and the clout it held. I was part of the team that launched the Certified Automotive Fleet Manager program. And I’ve lived through at least four variations of our annual meeting, first with the simple moniker of "Annual Conference," then "Fleet Management Institute," then "FMI-LEG Conference," and now "Institute & Expo."
Thankfully, in the course of its 60 years, NAFA has been led by outstanding men and women in the fleet profession who have shown a dedication and love for this association that is unmatched anywhere. These passionate individuals – and there are far too many to name – have been faithful stewards of NAFA and guided our ship to the place it is today. And what a good place it is!
Today, NAFA has more than 3,100 individual members. The association boasts of no fewer than 82 different programs for a vast and varied membership that spans 16 different countries. We offer education, advocacy, and networking in multiple formats, including in-person, online, and in print. NAFA’s annual conference regularly draws more than 2,300 people and has a completely sold-out exhibit floor. The vast majority of the treasure chest of NAFA information is now literally at your fingertips, accessible from anywhere in the world on any device at any time. NAFA is recognized as the most reliable, credible, and influential voice for fleet managers, not only in the U.S. but in Canada as well. And, our CAFM® program is recognized as the highest standard of fleet education, with the designation now being a requirement for many employers.
So, as we celebrate NAFA’s anniversary and look forward to even greater success this year and in the future, let’s give thanks for the folks who made it all happen 60 years ago. NAFA’s Founding Members are:
- Emil Ames
- J.E. Anderson
- James Bekkering
- D.A. Kepler
- V. Kimball
- M. M. Komen
- Les Landau
- •Walter Langseder
- Sam Lee
- John Limpert
- John Lovato
- Frank Luzzo
- W. McKeever
- S.W. Natkin
- W. Newstetter
- E.A. Gilbertson
- J.C. Overholt
- Emerson J. Parker
- Floyd Piper
- R.K. Reese
- A.J. Reid
- I.B. Schlosser
- J.O. Sibley
- C.B. Whitaker
- George Wilson
- C.F. Zak
Sincerely,
Phil
P.S. I want to give a huge shout-out and thank you to a few gentlemen who are still around and involved in NAFA after more than 50 years! It has been an honor and pleasure getting to know you and work with you. I am so happy you’re all still connected to NAFA. Heartfelt thanks to:
- Al Cavalli (member since 1958)
- Ray Breault (member since 1960)
- Jim Frank (member since 1967)
- Patrick Sheehan (member since 1967)
