In July, NAFA Immediate Past President Claude Masters, CAFM®, announced his retirement from Florida Power & Light. As is stipulated in NAFA’s bylaws, Members of the Board of Trustees, except for the Affiliate Trustee, are required to perform the usual and customary duties of a fleet manager; because Masters does not hold such a position, he will be stepping aside from his role as Immediate Past President. Douglas Weichman, CAFM®, Immediate Past President 2013-2015, has graciously accepted this responsibility to replace Masters.
“While we are certainly saddened to see Claude leave, we could not have a better person to come back to the Board of Trustees than Doug,” said NAFA’s Chief Executive Officer, Phillip E. Russo, CAE. “Both gentlemen remain equally passionate about fleet professionals and how NAFA can better serve their needs. We are fortunate to have such a caliber of membership that we can seamlessly navigate these times of change.”
Weichman, Director of Fleet Management for Palm Beach County, Florida is an avid supporter of NAFA’s efforts to promote and uphold the value of the fleet manager. During his time as NAFA President, 2011-2013, Weichman helped usher in NAFA’s Beyond Fleet program. He is also known for his devotion to mentorship for fleet professionals, as is recounted by the many individuals who have work with and for him over the years.
Masters’ two-year term as NAFA President ended just this past April. Prior to joining FPL, he worked for Houston Lighting & Power/Center Point Energy. Claude has been recognized by the National Biodiesel Board and the U.S. Department of Energy as a user expert and has served as a member of the Edison Electric Institute Electrification Committee. Claude was instrumental in the expansion of FPL’s Electrification Fleet in both in passenger and large trucks. In addition, his contributions to the research, development and construction of FPL’s emergency Mobile Command Center vehicle significantly impacted its recent deployment. Claude has returned to his home state of Texas where his immediate family resides.
“NAFA’s ongoing efforts to expand our CAFM® program, the industry standard in fleet knowledge; our Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program, which helps fleets bring real changes toward sustainability in their processes, and our government affairs influence will continue full-force,” said NAFA’s Chief Executive Officer, Phillip E. Russo, CAE. “It is thanks to the individuals that comprise NAFA, at every level, that we can continue to bring our services to our membership without fail.”
