Former NAFA President Raymond L. Breault celebrated his 50th anniversary with the Association in October and was honored at a combined meeting of the New York and New Jersey chapters on October 7 at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, New Jersey. Arthur Kappel, CAFM, Chair of the New York Chapter, read off a list of Breault's career accomplishments and NAFA contributions before presenting him with a special book clock and plaque. During Breault's 50 years with NAFA, he has been active on both the local and national level participating in five separate Chapters (Inter-county, New Jersey, New York, New England, and Philadelphia). His service with the Association began as the Chair of the New York Chapter in 1964 and continued through all local chapter level positions. He later became a member of NAFA's National Governing Board where he served in every national post with the exception of Treasurer. The highlight of his service came in 1977-1979 when he served as NAFA's President. He was honored with NAFA's Outstanding Chapter Service Award in 2004.
Breault's career in fleet began in 1959 at Hoffmann La Roche in Nutley, New Jersey, in the days before computers entered the industry. As fleet manager, he was instrumental in leading his fleet through an expansion that increased its fleet size from 180 vehicles to 2,700 within two decades.
In 1979, Breault became the Corporate Fleet Manager for Revlon, Inc. in New York City. For the next 12 years, he was responsible for repairing a fleet that was an organizational nightmare. He led the fleet's turn-around and brought its number of vehicles up to 2,800 domestically. In addition, he helped coordinate an international fleet operation involving several hundred additional vehicles.
In 1991, Breault joined Rental Concepts, Inc. (now known as Fleet Response) as the Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast. Although he officially retired in 1996, he returned to Fleet Response just three months later to serve as a part-time customer service representative in the Northeast.
In 2008, Breault was recognized for his career in fleet with his induction into the AFLA Fleet Hall of Fame. NAFA congratulates Breault on a wonderful career in fleet and for his many years of service to the Association.