Celebrating Membership Milestones

December 2014

35 years

George L. Schwarz
Fleet Administrator
Borough of Camp Hill
Borough of Camp Hill Police Dept.
Harrisburg, PA

George Schwarz, CPFP, Fleet Administrator, Borough of Camp Hill Police Dept., Harrisburg, PA is a man who has seen it all. Fortunately for NAFA members, he has been gracious enough to share that knowledge with peers and colleagues.

Having committed himself to the government fleet segment since 1969, with fleets ranging from Pennsylvania State Police, to managing the City of Harrisburg’s fleet, to the Fleet Administrator for the Borough of Camp Hill / Camp Hill Police today. That is not to say that his vehicle experience was limited in any way. "None of the fleets I’ve managed are totally ‘police’ vehicles," George said. "While the some fleets had many more ‘Police Units,’ all of them also included undercover vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and the various other support units of different makes and models. The City and the Borough’s fleets also includes medium, heavy duty, and off-road type, equipment."

George has been one of NAFA’s most vocal supporters and has been instrumental in all aspects of the Law Enforcement Group including service as Chair during 2011-2012. He has also been recognized for his ideas and contributions to fleet via the Larry Goill Memorial Quality Fleet Management Idea Award in 2002. George spoke to us recently about his career, how fleet and vehicles have changed, and his relationship with NAFA.

To read a complete interview with George, click here.

25 years

Steven Contarino
Vice President
Adamson Industries Corp.
Haverhill, MA

Steve Contarino, Vice-President of Adamson Industries Corp., founded the company alongside his wife and President, Kim Contarino back in 1984. Working out of a small office space with a one bay garage, Steve and Kim have built Adamson Industries to what it is today. Located in Haverhill, MA, Adamson Industries’ 56,000 sq. ft. facility operates with a staff of just fewer than 50 employees. Recognized nationwide as a leader in the industry, up-fitting more than 2,500 vehicles in year and offering public safety vehicle products nationwide.

As a reputable figure in the police fleet industry, Steve is often invited as a guest speaker at trade conferences such as NAFA's I&E and Police Fleet Expo. Steve is also a published writer for industry trade publications including Police Fleet Manager and Police & Security Magazine.

Dennis Morgan
Pickering, ON

Dennis Morgan began his career in logistics with Consolidated Bathurst, and later moved to Toronto to take a position with Cyanamid Canada. " I joined NAFA when I assumed the responsibility for the Cyanamid Canada fleet," Dennis said. He would become Director of Administrative Services with Wyeth Canada after the company acquired Cyanamid.

"During this time, I served with the NAFA Ontario Chapter as Assistant Chapter Chair, and then two terms as Ontario Chapter Chair,' Dennis said.

Following the acquisition of Wyeth by Pfizer, Dennis worked with Pfizer on the Canadian operations transition team (for two years). Although he is retired from Wyeth Canada, Dennis still attends NAFA meetings. He also has an active home life: "My wife Doreen, of 38 years, as well as my two children and their spouses manage to keep me busy and active in retirement."

Deb Watkins
Parkton,MD

PHH Arval (now Element Fleet Management) veteran Deb Watkins retired in 2011 after thirty-six years of service with the company.

Watkins began her career with PHH in 1975 as a research analyst in the company’s Center for Analysis and Research department. She moved into product development, responsible for managing information management systems. In 1989, Watkins transitioned into client relations as a Director of Strategic Accounts and held various client-facing roles, including Regional Vice President of Business Development. She has spent time in leadership and mentoring positions in PHH’s Business Development department and has been responsible for the Client Advisory Boards.

Watkins has been actively involved with key industry associations, most notably NAFA and AFLA. She has been a NAFA Affiliate since 1989 and held various roles at the regional level for the Greater Hartford Chapter, and at the national level, including Affiliates Trustee for NAFA. Her involvement with AFLA includes two terms as Secretary for the Board; she also served on the Membership Committee.

In her spare time, Watkins volunteers for the National Alliance for Mental Illness and served as President of the Board in 2006. Ms. Watkins will continue to work on a part-time basis leading the PHH Client Advisory Boards.

NAFA thanks George, Steven, Dennis, and Deb for their years with the Association! It is the strength of our members that have helped make NAFA the strongest association in fleet management today.

For more membership milestones, click here.