Kent Rathwell had a goal: travel from one end of Canada to the other, in the dead of winter, on electricity alone. As President of Sun Country Farms, and later of electric vehicle charger company Sun Country Highway, Rathwell knew the public wanted a more-sustainable alternative to conventional fuels, but the fear of EVs and its oft-mentioned range anxiety required a demonstration. Rathwell put his money where his aspirations were. Now Rathwell will be a Keynote Presenter at NAFA’s 2016 Institute & Expo.
The I&E attracts thousands of fleet professionals from throughout the world for four days of education, networking, and motivation to bring back to the office. The 2016 conference takes place April 19-22 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.
Rathwell wanted to eliminate what he said were, “…the excuses of people from blaming government, oil companies, automakers and, ultimately, their ancestors for the lack of sustainable transportation. That’s why we electrified the entire Trans-Canada Highway. If the longest highway in the world can be electrified, what can’t be?”
“NAFA is the dominant proponent for sustainable fleets,” said NAFA’s Chief Executive Officer, Phillip E. Russo, CAE. “Our Association, in collaboration with CALSTART, announced the new Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program during NAFA’s I&E last April. The entrepreneurial spirit can play a critical role in transforming fleets, and Kent Rathwell is an inspiring example of someone who knows the future is here. It just requires others to open their eyes to see it. We’re excited to have him at the 2016 I&E.”
The 2016 Institute & Expo takes place April 19-22 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. The event program, created by fleet managers for fleet managers, features fleet training, education, and workshops; and an Expo Floor consisting of more than 200 companies showcasing their products and services, including the Expo Floor Green Zone, showcasing the latest products and services touting sustainable practices.
“For those who said ‘It can’t be done,’ Kent Rathwell challenged the naysayers,” said Russo. “NAFA feels his presentation at the 2016 Institute & Expo will turn doubters into believers, and we’re glad he will be with us in Austin.”
The official website for NAFA’s conference is http://www.nafainstitute.org.
