New York Chapter Celebrates Fiftieth Anniversary

On Friday, June 24, the New York Chapter of NAFA celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a memorable networking boat cruise through the NY Harbor.  New York was the second chapter established in NAFA after Chicago and eventually led to the establishment of all the other great Northeast NAFA chapters that exist today. 

"The chapter continues to carry out its mission to be the one-stop location for everything a fleet manager needs," said Chapter Secretary Arthur Kappel, CAFM. "The chapter represents fleet managers from both the public and private sector with fleets from passenger cars to heavy trucks.  To remain a valuable resource, the New York Chapter has also formed beneficial ties with the local Clean Cities Coalitions from NYC / Lower Hudson Valley and Long Island as well as with the NY Metro chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers with cross promotion of events and with joint meetings." 

The Chapter is trying to establish additional joint meetings with neighboring chapters to create increased networking value, while reducing costs for the chapters.  In the end the goal is to have a resource that has a variety of education for a diverse field as this, along with valuable networking and a pleasant time.  "Many of the members will tell you they can pick up the phone anytime and ask a fellow NAFA member for help," Kappel said. "This is particularly important when you are dealing with local issues.  The chapter is a reflection of its members and their needs." 

Just as NAFA is a dynamic entity driven by its members, so is the New York Chapter, a reflection of the organization as a whole.  The Chapter has looked to provide fleet managers with the education they need and for topics that are of pressing importance at the current time.  For example, during the fuel price increases of 2008, the Chapter responded by having Exxon Mobil come in to talk about fuel trends. 

The chapter has had the advantage of having one of the most exciting cities in the world as its home base allowing for memorable meeting locations: Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Grand Central Station, Friar's Club, Intrepid, NYPD Museum, and the New York Auto Show are just some of the exciting venues where NY NAFA has held its meetings.
 
Besides exciting venues, the chapter has had the privilege of having speakers such as former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, Sports Broadcaster Michael Kay, and famed Major League Baseball Player Graig Nettles. 

Other items of note regarding the New York Chapter include:

New York is one of NAFA's largest Chapters. New Jersey and Inter-County Chapters spun off from New York Chapter.

New York Chapter hosts many large events including the Joint Car Show in Autumn, held in conjunction with the New Jersey Chapter. This is a big NAFA event with over four hundred in attendance each year.

The New York Chapter has had many National Officers, counting twelve National Presidents among the membership, the most from any Chapter. The following Presidents were New York Chapter Members: