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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Princeton, NJ, United States, 08/06/2009 - NAFA's Michigan Chapter holds its next chapter meeting at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan to discuss the CAFM program and the minor in fleet management.
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The next generation of fleet managers may be among those in attendance at NAFA's Michigan Chapter meeting on September 2, 2009 at Ferris State University (FSU) in Big Rapids, MI. The meeting will discuss the partnership between FSU and NAFA; the curriculum associated with the school's Fleet Management minor; a look at the program from the experiences of a recent graduate; how one employer is utilizing the school's internship program and how others may utilize internships for their business as well.
The partnership between FSU and NAFA, announced in 2008, further enhances the credibility of NAFA's Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) program and allows the program to reach new heights. The arrangement includes a four-step degree plan that begins with awarding NAFA CAFM program participants 12 semester hours of college credit for the successful completion of the program and ends with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Minor in Fleet Management.
Speakers at the September 2nd meeting include Gary Maike, Assistant Professor at FSU who will discuss the Ferris State/NAFA Partnership and curriculum; Toni Kailing, Maintenance Supervisor for Mecosta County Road Commission, who will offer a unique perspective on the FSU experience from that of a recent graduate; and John Talbot, Customer Support Manager for W.W. Williams Company, who will provide an example of a business that has successfully utilized the internship program at FSU. Gary Maike will provide additional information on FSU's internship programs to close out the meeting.
"We're trying to show the members that there's a big link here between Ferris State University and NAFA and that there's something in it for them as fleet managers. In addition, they can offer something back to the community at large by providing some internship opportunities for students," explained Steve Pederson, Chair of NAFA's Michigan Chapter and Vice President Fleet & Risk Management for VPSI, Inc.
This introductory meeting will hopefully be the start of a long relationship between NAFA's Michigan Chapter and FSU. Prior to the lunch meeting, Pederson and fellow NAFA Member Christy Coyte will have a presentation to FSU students about fleet management and NAFA. The Michigan Chapter is interested in having a college sub-chapter formed at FSU. Coyte, Global Fleet Manager for Johnson Controls, Inc. was named the 2009 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year by Automotive Fleet magazine; Paired with Pederson, the two bring a wealth of fleet experience to FSU and hope to build a bridge between the students and the Michigan chapter.
Registration for the Chapter Meeting is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. The meeting will take place at the Ferris State West Campus Community Center (1414 Family Drive) in Big Rapids, MI from 11:30 am. to 1:30 pm. Following the meeting, Gary Maike of FSU will lead an optional tour of the Ferris State Heavy Technology Center where attendees can see first-hand what the students are being taught.
Transportation will be provided for those leaving from Southeast Michigan. One vanpool will leave Troy and head out through Lansing towards Big Rapids. The other will leave from Detroit and head out through Ann Arbor towards Big Rapids. Attendees can contact Steve Pederson (steven.pederson[.]vpsiinc.com) if they would like to meet one of the vanpools en route to FSU or would like additional information on the meeting.
About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA Fleet Management Association (nafa.org) is a not-for-profit, individual membership professional society serving the needs of members 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. NAFA's Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
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gwien[.]nafa.org 
