Thomas D. Brown of Brown Nationalease, Des Moines, IA,
Elected Chairman of Truck Renting and Leasing Association

ALEXANDRIA, VA (April 19, 2000) -Thomas D. Brown, president of Brown NationaLease of Des Moines, IA, has been elected the 2000-2001 Chairman of the Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA). Brown assumed leadership of the thriving trade association at the 2000 National Leadership Conference and 22nd Annual Meeting, held March 8-12 in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Brown takes the helm of TRALA as the organization enjoys increasing membership and unprecedented strength within the transportation industry. With over 650 members, TRALA represents almost 100% of the leasing industry, including the nationally known independent leasing and rental companies and the major leasing systems, operating over 30,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

When asked about the coming year, Brown commented that changes within the transportation industry are sure to present challenges for TRALA.

"Unlike many trade associations, TRALA truly represents the entire industry," Brown commented. "This provides both great opportunity and awesome responsibility. As the roles of the organizations actively advocating on behalf of transportation providers evolve, we will have to be ever more vigilant and energetic in our work to ensure a level playing field for leasing and renting companies, especially at the state level."

In 1968, Brown joined the company founded by his father, originally called the Brown Truck Leasing Corporation, in 1941. He became president of the company in 1973 and majority stockholder in 1978. The oldest full service truck leasing company in Iowa, Brown NationaLease operates 1700 vehicles from 11 Midwest locations. This year, Brown NationaLease is celebrating its 60th year in business.

Brown has served on the TRALA board of directors since 1997. He served as Chairman of the National Truck Leasing System (NationaLease) from 1981 to 1982.

In his hometown of Des Moines, IA, Brown is active in the United Way, Variety Club, Child Abuse Council, Boys and Girls Club, and Boy Scouts of America. He and his wife Michelle have two children: a son age 13 and a daughter age 11.

TRALA has over 650 member companies engaged in full service truck leasing, dedicated contract carriage, and commercial and consumer truck rental. The industry is responsible for over 40% of all new commercial truck registrations classes 3 through 8.