Celebrating Membership Milestones

35 years

Stephen A. Levine  
Wimauma, FL

Long-standing NAFA Member Stephen Levine is celebrating his 35th anniversary with NAFA this month.

"Today I manage one vehicle," Stephen said, "...in Wimauma, FL! Alison and I share one car and after 44 years we’re still on the same road; at least she knows where we’re going.

"I did achieve industry recognition over the years, the privilege of representing NAFA before Congress regarding Clean Air in 1989, Fleet Manager of the Year, and Hall of Fame induction. I was fortunate enough to be a member of NY, NJ, MI (Chapter Chair), and now The Sunshine State chapters of NAFA. But if you look in the mirror you realize that you can only accomplish something with the help of others. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by wonderful colleagues, NAFA Members and Affiliates that helped me to succeed. When her husband was being lauded for his successes, Mamie Eisenhower responded: 'No man can succeed by himself.' After over 40 years of working within our 'industry,' I realized it was not an 'industry' but a very close knit 'community of people.'  

"Safety was always my biggest priority. Every year my family cut over 3,000 red ribbons for MADD when vehicles had antennas. I was able to get approval for a 'one and done for DUI' policy, and having points assigned for an accident, regardless of fault.  

"Today I take photographs, watch my Tampa Bay Rays, (Bronx) cheer on my J-E-T-S, volunteer at my Synagogue as Men’s Club President, wait for spring training to start, don’t shovel snow, and sleep great at night."

25 years

Kevin J. Fareri, CAFM^®
Deputy Director, Fleet Operation Division
State of Texas
Department of Transportation
Austin, TX

Kevin Fareri is the Deputy Director - Fleet Operations Division at the Texas Department of Transportation with over 35 years of experience in transportation and logistics including the last 25 years in fleet management as a Private Fleet Manager, Public Fleet Manager, and Fleet Management Consultant.

He is a Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM^®) and earned a BBA in Transportation & Logistics from The University of Tennessee.

Kevin has served in the following education and training capacities for NAFA: twice on the CAFM^® Certification Board (2002-2004 & 2011-2014), FleetED Committee (2007-2013), Project Leader on NAFA’s Professional Development Guide (2008-2011), instructor at the Fleet Management Seminars, Risk Management instructor at the CAFM^® Boot Camp at the 2012 Institute and Expo, 2010 Institute and Expo Curriculum Committee member, Education Development Committee member, and Vice Chair for the Southwest Chapter.

Charles A. Gibbens  
Midlothian, VA

A member of NAFA's Old Dominion Chapter, Charles A. Gibbens celebrates 25 years with the Association. He recently retired as Fleet Manager of Henrico County, VA in 2014. Charlie was NAFA's twenty-ninth President during 2005-2007. 

Prior to working in fleet Gibbens, an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, found his former and latter work not entirely dissimilar.

"I was assigned to a combat arms armor unit. That means tanks. Throughout my 21 years in the Army, I was constantly involved with vehicle, weapon, and communication systems maintenance and supply activities," Charlie said. "These activities are the life blood of a mechanized unit. You have to keep your equipment up and running to accomplish your mission. This involved the repair and maintenance of those systems, the maintaining and requisitioning of repair parts, and refueling operations."

When he retired from the Army in 1990 as a Lieutenant Colonel, Charlie came across an employment ad referring to Henrico County's fleet. "Although it wasn't what I was looking for at the time, after reading the qualifications and job requirements, I said to myself, 'that's essentially what I've done for the past 21 years.'"

NAFA thanks Stephen, Kevin, and Charles 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.