For Immediate Release

Contact: Shannon Murray
Truck Renting and Leasing Association
703-299-9120
smurray@trala.org

TRALA Elects Mike McMahon, President of Southeastern Leasing and Rental, as 2008-2009 Chairman

Alexandria, VA - April 9, 2008 - Southeastern Leasing and Rental President Mike McMahon of Charlotte, North Carolina, was unanimously chosen by the members of the Truck Renting and Leasing Association as its 2008-2009 Chairman at the association’s 30th Annual Meeting held April 1- 4 in Phoenix, Arizona.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as TRALA chairman over the next year. We should feel good about the accomplishments and victories that we have recently enjoyed, such as the federal repeal of vicarious liability, but there are more challenges ahead. I look forward to receiving the advice and counsel of our members as we work together to advance the interests of our industry,” said McMahon during his acceptance speech on April 4.

“Prior to being elected to this new position with TRALA, Mike was already recognized as a strong leader within our industry -- demonstrated through both his personal business success and commitment to industry-wide priorities. In this new leadership capacity, he is well positioned to affect the critical issues that will impact our industry in the future,” said TRALA president and CEO Peter Vroom.

In addition to McMahon, the TRALA Board of Directors appointed the following members as officers:

  • Tom Thayer, president of Idealease of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia, was elected vice chairman.
  • Bill Hicks, president of FirstLease, Inc., Norcross, Georgia, was elected second vice chairman.
  • Steve Lawrence, president of Lawrence Leasing, Inc. in Red Wing, Minnesota, was elected Secretary.
  • Brian Hard, president of Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P., Reading, Pennsylvania, was elected treasurer.
  • Charles Sommer, president of Public Service Truck Renting, Long Island City, New York, was elected immediate past chairman.

Also at the annual meeting, the following members were elected to the association's Board of Directors for a new 2008-2011 term:

  • Dan Fleming, president of Fleming NationaLease, Springfield, Virginia.
  • Brian Hogan, president of Hogan Motor Leasing, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri.
  • Justin Johnston, president & COO of Suppose-U-Drive, Gendale, California.
  • Mike McMahon, president of Southeastern Leasing and Rental Co., Charlotte, North Carolia.
  • Reed Murphy, president of MHC Truck Leasing, Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Tom Prohaska, region lease manager of Volvo Truck Leasing System, Westlake, Texas.
  • Steve Scully, president of Scully NationaLease, Fontana, California.

In addition, the following members were appointed to the Board of Directors to serve one-year terms for 2008-2009:

  • Doug Clark, president of NationaLease, Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
  • Terry Dubowick, director of the Mack Leasing System/Volvo Truck Leasing System, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
  • Bob Southern, president of PACCAR Leasing Company, Bellevue, Washington.
  • Scott Freeman, manager of fleet sales for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, Pennsylvania.
  • Dave LaPalomento, vice president, North America sales for International Truck and Engine Corp in Warrenville, Illinois.
  • John Sczesny, manager field sales and marketing for Eaton Corporation in Galesburg, Michigan.

The Truck Renting and Leasing Association, based in Alexandria, Va., is a voluntary, non-profit national trade association, organized in 1978 to provide a unified and focused voice for the truck renting and leasing industry. TRALA's membership includes more than 500 leasing and rental firms and 110 suppliers that make up nearly the entire truck renting and leasing industry. The industry is responsible for over 35 percent of all new class 3 through 8 commercial truck registrations.

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