Element Financial Corporation today announced a new leadership team for its fleet management business (“Fleet Management” or the “Company”). The new team brings together top talent and expertise from the recent acquisition of the GE’s U.S. Fleet Services business and Element’s existing fleet management team. The company is actively seeking to fill additional key leadership roles over the coming months.
“This is our first step toward creating one of the world’s leading fleet management companies, one that will serve as a catalyst for innovation in the customer experience,” said Kristi Webb, president and CEO, Fleet Management. “I am extremely pleased to bring together a team of this caliber. All of us share a focus on delivering for our customers, opening opportunities for employees and transforming the fleet management industry.”
Effective immediately, Element’s North American Fleet Management senior leadership team is based in both Sparks, Md. and Eden Prairie, Minn., and includes:
Jon Parker – Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer
Jon Parker now leads the North American Fleet Management Commercial organization, including sales and fleet management services (FMS). Based in Eden Prairie, Parker was the GE Capital Fleet Services Chief Commercial Officer beginning in 2010. Prior joining the fleet services team, he held successful commercial leadership roles over the past 20 years with GE Capital’s lending and leasing businesses.
Gary Anderson – Senior Vice President, Strategic Consulting and Customer Experience
Gary Anderson will lead Fleet Management’s North American Strategic Consulting organization and Customer Experience initiatives, including Customer Advisory Boards and bringing the voice of customers into the business. He is based in Sparks. Anderson was the Chief Business Development Officer for Element’s fleet management business and has been with the company since 1986 in financial, sales support and direct sales roles.
Mark Hayes – Senior Vice President, Marketing
Mark Hayes now leads Fleet Management’s North American marketing team, focused on presenting a differentiated value proposition to the fleet market, and positioning the company for growth in new and existing markets. He is based in Eden Prairie. Hayes was Chief Marketing Officer for GE Capital Fleet Services beginning in 2012 and has been successful in senior marketing leadership roles for more than 25 years with GE and US Bancorp.
Michele Cunningham — Senior Vice President, Products and Services
Michele Cunningham now leads Fleet Management’s Products and Services team, driving the growth and development of innovative solutions for fleet customers. In addition, Cunningham will assist Element Executive Vice President Jim Halliday in coordination of the company’s global value proposition, building on the Element-Arval alliance. Cunningham has been leading strategic development for Element’s fleet management business since 2011, and has more than 20 years’ experience in business-to-business and technology company leadership roles.
John Wall – Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
John Wall now leads Fleet Management’s North American technology and IT organization, charged with creating transformative opportunities for the fleet industry. He is based in Sparks. Wall joined Element’s fleet management business as its Chief Technology Officer earlier in 2015; prior to joining Element, he was Chief Technology Officer of Symcor, one of Canada’s leading financial processing services providers.
Mary Sticha – Senior Vice President, Integration
Mary Sticha is now Fleet Management’s North American Integration leader, charged with bringing together the organization to meet the vision for the fleet management business. She is based in Eden Prairie. Sticha has been with the GE Capital Fleet Services business for more than 30 years in a variety of commercial and operational leadership roles. She currently serves in Board leadership roles a number of fleet industry associations, including NAFA, the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA) and the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA).
Thomas Keilty – Senior Vice President, Operations
Thomas Keilty now leads Fleet Management’s Operations teams serving the Company’s customers across North America, including call centers, ordering, title and licensing, and implementation. Keilty is based in Sparks; he has been Chief Operating Officer for Element’s fleet management business since 2009 and with the team since 1995.
Paul Danielson – Senior Vice President, Legal
Paul Danielson is now Fleet Management’s North American chief legal counsel, based in Sparks. Danielson has been chief counsel role for Element’s fleet management business since 2014 and has been a leader on the Company’s legal team since 2008.
David Telep – Senior Vice President, Human Resources
David Telep is now Fleet Management’s North American Human Resources leader. He is based in Eden Prairie. Telep has been leading human resources for the GE Capital Fleet Services business since 2011, and was previously in human resources leadership positions at GE for 15 years.
Kathryn Parkinson — Senior Vice President, Credit and Risk
Kathryn Parkinson is now Fleet Management’s Senior Vice President responsible for credit and risk management in both the United States and Canada. She is based in Sparks. Parkinson joined Element’s Commercial & Vendor Finance business in 2013 before moving over to the Fleet Management business..
Matthew Salm – Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances and Sourcing
Matthew Salm is now responsible for Fleet Management’s North American strategic alliances and sourcing operations, including procurement and collaboration with Products and Services on strategic alliances. He is based in Sparks. Salm joined Element in 2013 and was named vice president of strategic alliances in 2015. He has been in fleet industry leadership roles since 2010.
Regional Leadership
Element’s North American Fleet Management senior leadership team will work closely with the Company’s leaders in Mexico and Canada to deliver integrated services to customers. Sébastien Blondin will continue in his role as President of Element’s fleet management business in Canada, reporting to Kristi Webb. David Madrigal will be Element’s President for fleet management in Mexico once this portion of the GE Fleet acquisition closes and also will report to Webb.
