Element Financial Corporation today announced the expansion of its Fleet Management Truck and Equipment team: Don Davis, regional vice president, Southwest, Truck Sales; Jeff Holtshopple, regional vice president, West, Truck Sales; Larry Galasso, regional vice president, Northeast, Truck Sales; and Don Bailey, residual value manager.
Element also bolstered the Truck & Equipment team by promoting Naeem Morris to regional vice president, Midwest, Truck Sales; Steve Byrd, CTP, to manager, Truck Services, Paola Bennett, manager, Business Development and Brad Hewitt, vice president, National Accounts.
“The expanded Element Fleet Truck and Equipment team puts together a group of talented industry veterans who will continue delivering and empowering extraordinary results for our clients,” said Mike Quimby, general manager, Truck and Equipment.
More on the new hires and promotions:
Don Davis, regional vice president, Southwest, Truck Sales
New to Element, Don Davis has more than 25 years experience in the transportation finance / fleet management industry that includes UPS, Penske, Ryder and Element Commercial Vendor Finance. He will be based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and is a graduate of Texas A&M University.
Jeff Holtshopple, regional vice president, West, Truck Sales
Also new to the Element team, Jeff Holtshopple brings over 20 years of finance industry experience, including stints at Capital One Equipment Finance and Citizens Business Bank. Based in California, he holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Larry Galasso, regional vice president, Northeast, Truck Sales
Larry Galasso brings over two decades of industry experience to Element, include time spent working for Ryder System and Lily Transportation. Responsible for the Northeast region, Galasso is based out of New Hampshire.
Don Bailey, residual value manager
Don Bailey brings extensive analytical and strategic financial planning experience to the Element team. He most recently worked for Penske and prior to that, served the U.S. Air Force as a MSgt (retired) during which time he earned several certifications, including a General Electric Six Sigma Green Belt.
Naeem Morris, regional vice president, Midwest, Truck Sales
Naeem Morris spent the last two years as senior vice president, Sales at GE Capital Fleet Services (now Element Fleet Management) managing high profile clients with an impressive 100 percent retention rate. Prior to that role, he worked at a variety of automotive financing companies including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Daimler Truck Financial. Based in Chicago, Morris is completing his MBA at DePaul University.
Steve Byrd, CTP, manager, Truck Services
Steve Byrd has over three decades of transportation experience, with 10 years working at Element. Based in Colorado, he is an active member of many industry organizations including the Technology and Maintenance Council and the National Private Truck Council. Byrd holds the distinction of Certified Transportation Professional® (CTP).
Paola Bennett, manager, Business Development
As manager of Business Development, Paola Bennett will focus on assisting the team in the growth and maintenance of key accounts and manage the efforts of streamlining the reporting and data collection. An Element employee for four years, she previously served with the Strategic Consulting organization. Bennett is based in Fort Lauderdale and earned her MBA from Florida Atlantic University.
Brad Hewitt, vice president, National Accounts
Brad Hewitt has worked in truck sales for Element since 2002 and recently earned a promotion to vice president. Hewitt resides in the Minneapolis area and is the reigning Element Sales Executive of the Year, a distinction he has earned for three consecutive years.
Rounding out the team are John Vaughn, national account manager, who is focused on the agricultural industry and Chris Hepler, vice president regional manager, Southeast, Truck Sales. Hepler recently earned the CTP designation, joining a group of transportation professionals who are raising industry standards and increasing the respect and prestige of the private fleet/transportation professional.
