The association has announced the first two speakers, who are former NAFA president Gayle Pratt, who recently retired from Ecolab, and NAFA’s international vice president, Joe LaRosa, director global fleet administration for Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD).

Ms Pratt directed Ecolab’s North American fleet operations of 8,000 vehicles in sales and service fleets, and the global fleet of 18,000 vehicles in 78 countries. Responsibilities included strategic global and regional supplier sourcing and relationships for products/services, fleet budgets, and sustainability plans. In 2008, she was among the final candidates for the International Fleet Manager of the Year award. She retired last March, capping a 35-year career in the industry. 

Mr LaRosa became NAFA’s first-ever international vice president in 2012. He has been working in fleet management since 1995, starting with Bristol-Myers Squibb. He evolved this position into Global Fleet Management in 2001 and would go on to be named professional fleet manager of the year in 2007. The following year, Mr LaRosa moved on to join MSD to start the Global Fleet COE (Center of Excellence).  

In his current role, he manages 29,000 cars worldwide in over 100 countries with 12 team members strategically placed in EMEA, North and Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.

‘We’re compiling a true all-star team of speakers and faculty for NAFA’s 3rd Annual International Fleet Academy,’ said NAFA’s executive director, Phillip E Russo. ‘Gayle and Joe are both highly respected innovators who helped shape the direction of global fleet management. NAFA will be announcing more members of our line-up later this week, including fleet managers based around the world. It’s the greatest collection of global fleet managers ever assembled in one place!’

NAFA’s 3rd Annual International Fleet Academy will take place 21-23 October at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, AZ. This three-day conference was designed specifically to meet the needs of those who manage fleets outside of the United States and Canada. In addition to over 15 educational sessions, the conference offers exclusive networking opportunities and a cocktail reception and dinner each night.

Early-bird registration is $650 for NAFA members and $1,105 for non-members. After 16^th August, registration costs are $799 for NAFA members and $1,550 for non-members. Fleet professionals may save $200 off the registration costs by joining NAFA as they register. 

Attendees receive several value-added educational items to take back to the office including a ready-to-use executive summary; free subscription to International Fleet World magazine; the newly published NAFA’s Global Fleet Guide; and valuable checklists for policies, RFIs, and RFQs. All total, it’s a resource package valued at $2,500.

For more information visit http://www.nafa.org/international.