Toyota Senior Vice President to Deliver Keynote Address at NAFA's 2011 I&E

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second straight year, NAFA Fleet Management Association will feature high-ranking automobile industry executives as Keynote Speakers for the Association's annual Institute & Expo. Don Esmond, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations for Toyota, is the first speaker to be confirmed for the annual conference. The I&E, which takes place April 9-12 in Charlotte, North Carolina, brings more than 2,000 fleet industry professionals together for four days of education, trade show experience, and networking.

Edmond's extensive career in the automotive industry brings a unique perspective to the I&E. He began his automotive career in 1970 at Ford Motor Company where he spent 12 years holding various field positions including National Account Executive, Assistant and General Field Manager for the Seattle Lincoln-Mercury District sales office, Merchandising Manager and Zone Manager at the Los Angeles sales office. He then moved on to Toyota where he first served as Corporate Fleet and Truck Manager and then National Fleet Manager.

His path through the ranks at Toyota continued in 1989 when Esmond became Vice President of Field Sales for Lexus, the luxury division of the car manufacturer. He later served as Vice President of the Large Car Sales Team where he launched the new Camry. He held the position of Group Vice President of the Toyota Sales Division and most recently was Senior Vice President and General Manager, Toyota Division.

Before his auto career began, Esmond spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as Captain, Naval Aviator, and Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam. He was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, 45 Air Medals, and a Purple Heart. In 1999, Esmond received the prestigious Semper Fidelis Award from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF).

"I remember Don from his early days in NAFA," said NAFA's Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE. "His military experience and years within the industry have given him a unique perspective that I'm sure will be valuable for everyone to learn from. NAFA is proud to have him speak before our Members."

Edmond's Keynote Address will take place on Monday, April 11. It will be one of two presented by automotive executives during the conference.

About NAFA's Institute & Expo

The 2011 I&E features over 60 hours of fleet training, education, and workshops including several brand-new sessions designed specifically for veteran corporate fleet managers. Popular events such as the Public Safety Roadeo and the Green Zone will return along with an Expo Floor consisting of more than 200 companies showcasing their products and services. In addition, several of the fleet industry's most important awards will be presented during the conference as well. Official media sponsors of the 2010 I&E include: International Fleet World, Automotive Digest, Canadian Automotive Fleet, CamAuto, Fleet Digest, Fleets & Fuels, Fleet Maintenance, Light & Medium Truck, Naylor, Fleet Focus, and FLEETSolutions. For more information, visit http://www.nafainstitute.org

About NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA is the world's premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE NAFA Fleet Management

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED