2008 Program Faculty
Alan Batcheller
CARFAX
Roger Bernskoetter
Kline Corporation
Sherb Brown
Vice President and Group Publisher, Bobit Business Media
Sean Busking
Executive Director, ACRA
Edward Cavazos
Telelanguage
Bill Connors
NBTA
Jerry Copelan
Copelan Consulting LLC
Frank Dankovich
Senior Vice President, Rosedale Leasing
Tammy Flosi
President, Sonoran National Insurance Group
Ric Foster
The Bancorp Bank
Dave Funston
President, Funston Fleet Services
Ray Huffstutter
Vice President, Regional Sales, GE Financial
Jeff Jarvis
Principal, TranSystems
Tom Kontos
Vice President, Industry Relations & Analytical Services, ADESA
Michael LaPlaca
Partner, LaPlaca McKenzie
Angela Margolit
President, and CEO, Bluebird Auto Rental Systems
Chris Markiewicz
CARFAX
Michael Meyer
Auto Rate Exchange
Chris McIntyre
President, EagleRider
Sandy Miller
Co-Chairman and Co-CEO, Franchise Services North America
Joe Opferman
1st Source/Truckers Bank
Eric Peterson
Chief Technology Officer, TSD
David Purinton
President, PurCo Fleet Services, Inc.
Ken Stellon
Vice President of Consulting Services, The Khoury Group
Anne Taylor
Vice President, Marketing & Sales Commercial Fleet Division, AirIQ
Michael Towers
CEO, Fleet Salvage and Estimating Systems
Jerry Traylor
Manager, Las Vegas McCarran Airport
Ray Waltz
Manheim Automotive Financial Services
Michael Wilson
Advantage Rent A Car
Wayne Yocum
National Rental Sales Manager, Rental Division, Automotive Finance Corporation
Alan Batcheller, Program Manager, CARFAX
Alan Batcheller joined CARFAX in 1998 and in 2006 became program manager for CARFAX’s Aftermarket Service Link program. Alan has over 25 years experience in the accounting and accounting software industry. Alan has an MBA from Nichols College and a BS in Business Administration from Nasson College.
Roger Bernskoetter, Kline Corporation
Roger Bernskoetter is chief operations officer of Kline Corporation, headquartered in Missouri. Prior to joining NREB Auto, the rental fleet division of Kline Corporation, in 2004 as the general manager, he had more than 20 years experience assisting companies nationally with expansion, design, business planning and consulting. Roger has been a national faculty member of the National Alliance since 1992, and has presented management principals and best management practices seminars in all 50 states, and Puerto Rico. Mr. Bernskoetter holds the Certified Insurance Counselor designation, and has worked with numerous companies across the country to design insurance programs for rental car companies and car dealerships. Author of numerous business management articles for national business publications, he is committed to helping businesses become all they can be through sound practices, and the development of business tracks designed to create efficiency and effectiveness.
Sherb Brown, Vice President and Group Publisher, Bobit Business Media
Sherb Brown is the vice president and group publisher for BBM's AutoGroup. Sherb has covered the auto industry for more than 12 years in various positions with Bobit Business Media in Detroit and Los Angeles. Sherb is actively involved in several auto industry associations including the Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association and the American Car Rental Association. Sherb has a BA from the University of Michigan and a juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University.
Sean Busking, Executive Director, ACRA
Sean serves as the executive director of ACRA. A graduate of Lindenwood and Southern Illinois Universities, Sean has been directly involved in the car rental industry since 1991. He has experience in all phases of rental operations with both franchise and corporate locations.
Edward Cavazos, Vice President of Business Development, Telelanguage
Edward C. Cavazos Jr is the Vice President of Business Development for Telelanguage Inc. He is responsible for developing global interpretation platforms and strategic relationships with national and international enterprises, government agencies, and with mobile carriers.
Edward has more than 30 years experience in sales, marketing, channel management and business ownership. Mr. Cavazos started his own company in 1981, developing an alternative settlement process to settle malpractice suits, personal injury and worker’s compensation cases. In 1993 he sold his company and entered the telecommunication industry with Sprint as their National Sales Manager for network development.
Edward entered the language industry in 1999 as Vice President of Business Development and is responsible of supporting new strategic development for Telelanguage Inc.
Edward received his educational degree from California State University, Sacramento in Marketing with a minor in Communication.
Bill Connors, Executive Director and COO, National Business Travel Association (NBTA)
Bill Connors, CTC, became Executive Director and COO of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) in December 2002. NBTA is the leading source for networking, advocacy, education, news, and information resources for corporate and government travel professionals.
During his tenure leading NBTA's staff, the Association has had five of the most successful years in its history. The number of travel buyer members of NBTA is at an all-time high. Participation has reached record highs in NBTA's educational programs, and international conferences and conventions.
NBTA has become the recognized voice of corporate travel in Washington, advocating for security programs that meet operational and privacy concerns of businesses and business travelers, expedited security screening procedures, and the elevation of status of travel industry considerations in legislation and regulation. Connors has met with leading administration officials and elected representatives, including testifying before subcommittees of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security. He also testified in front of the Florida State Legislature in opposition to a proposed car rental tax increase. He has been quoted and featured in the national media including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, MSNBC, CNN and ABC News.
Connors is a member of the Travel Business Roundtable and serves on the Government Relations Committee, the Travel Industry Leaders Coalition, and the Board of Directors of theTravel Industry Association. Connors also represents NBTA on the Board of Trustees of the NBTA Foundation and is a member of the Executive Board of the Convention Industry Council. He is on the Senior Advisory Board of Business for Diplomatic Action. Connors was named to the US Chamber of Commerce's "Committee of 100," representing the 100 most influential association executives in America. He was appointed by U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta to the Board of the Institute Management Council of the Next Generation Air Transportation System.
Prior to his position at NBTA, Connors served as Senior Vice President, Meetings, Education and Member Services for the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Prior to joining ASTA, Connors served as Vice President Marketing/Relationship Management for the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (now the Travel Institute). He started in the travel industry in the resort town of Lake George, NY, serving as a Steamship Captain for the Lake George & New Orleans Steamboat Company.
In addition to his travel association experience, Connors has held several leadership positions in academics, including serving as a Superintendent of Schools in northern New York. He holds four master's degrees.
Jerry Copelan, Copelan Consulting LLC
Jerry Copelan is the President of Copelan Consulting LLC, based in Torrance California. Jerry is presently involved in the planning, design and business negotiations for the new San Jose International Airport Consolidated Rental Car facility, is helping to plan a new rental car facility project at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank California, and has just been appointed to assist in rental car project planning for the San Antonio International Airport.
Jerry has spent almost 30 years in the airport and aviation industry. Prior to opening Copelan Consulting in 2005, he held senior positions at San Francisco International Airport, Bob Hope Airport and the Los Angeles World Airports. He has also spent 5 years in the rental car industry as the Director Properties for the Hertz Corporation in the Western US, and 9 years in the airline industry as the Property & Facilities Director, The Americas, for Qantas Airways, Ltd.
Frank Dankovich, Senior Vice President, Rosedale Leasing
More Information Coming...
Tammy Flosi, President, Sonoran National Insurance Group
More Information Coming...
Ric Foster, Vice President, The Bancorp Bank
Ric Foster has over 18 years of banking and inventory finance experience. Prior to developing the Rental Fleet Financing Division for the Bancorp Bank, Ric was with the Commercial Lending Services Division for Ford Motor Company, Bank of America, Chase, and Deutsche Bank. The Bancorp Bank is operated by an entrepreneurial-minded management team that is committed to flexible credit solutions and programs to meet the demands of their commercial clients. The Bank offers rental fleet financing, merchant services, commercial mortgages, and other traditional banking services with state of the art technology.
Dave Funston, President, Funston Fleet Services
David Funston is President of Funston Fleet Services, Inc., a consulting group he formed in 2002 to assist dealers and rental companies with fleet vehicle sourcing and remarketing strategies. His career in the automotive industry includes national fleet & remarketing positions with American Isuzu, Hyundai Motor America and DriveTime Auto Sales & Finance. Additionally, he has held positions with Chevrolet Motor Division as well as several retail dealer groups in Southern California. David is a graduate of USC and resides in Riverside, CA with Susan, his wife of 25 years, and his son and daughter.
Ray Huffstutter, Vice President, Regional Sales, GE Financial
Ray Huffstutter manages GE Capital Solutions’ car rental fleet customers in the eastern United States and is located in Atlanta. He has been in commercial finance for 27 years. This is his 12th consecutive Car Rental show. Ray has represented Bombardier Capital, Capital Auto Rental Services and Bank of America during this period. He joined GE in April 2006, following their acquisition of Walden Leasing. Ray served five years on the board of directors of the Association of Car, and Truck Rental, Independents and Franchisees (ACTIF).
Jeff Jarvis, Principal, TranSystems
Jeff is a principal with TranSystems. He is the architect of record for the Phoenix Sky Harbor Rental Car Center and led the design team from the master plan all the way through construction and the opening of the facility. Jeff is the design team leader and the architect of record for the consolidated rental car facility presently under development in San Jose. He has a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in art from Brigham Young University.
Tom Kontos, Vice President, Industry Relations & Analytical Services, ADESA
Tom Kontos is Vice President, Industry Relations & Analytical Services with ADESA, Inc. In this position, Mr. Kontos interfaces with members of the media, Wall Street and automotive analysts, and key ADESA clients to provide information and insight on economic trends in the vehicle remarketing industry, of which ADESA is a major player. Mr. Kontos also provides analytical services to internal and external ADESA audiences in the form of annual market reports, periodic reports on used vehicle price trends, web-based information products (at www.adesa.com/KontosKorner), dealer surveys, and other strategic studies. He supplies monthly used vehicle price data to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) as part of the BEA's efforts to estimate various components of Gross Domestic Product. Mr. Kontos is the author of Global Vehicle Remarketing (GVR) and Pulse, which provide comprehensive analysis of strategic trends and issues relating to the 46-million-unit used vehicle market and the $83 billion vehicle remarketing industry in North America. These publications have been extremely well received by the automotive industry, often cited in the trade press, and honored with the prestigious APEX and Keystone awards for excellence in investment and financial materials. Prior to joining ADESA, Mr. Kontos helped launch and was the principal author of the ADT Automotive Used Car Market Report, which he saw through five editions. Mr. Kontos has more than 20 years of experience in market research, financial analysis, and strategic planning. In addition to his automotive industry experience, he has conducted economic analysis of the mining, agricultural, and construction sectors through his experience with W.R. Grace & Co., Vulcan Materials Company, and Rogers Group, Inc. A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Kontos holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mineral Resource Economics from The Pennsylvania State University. He has taught at Birmingham-Southern College and Trevecca University and is enrolled in the Master of Liberal Arts and Science program at Vanderbilt University.
Michael LaPlaca,Partner, LaPlaca McKenzie
Michael LaPlaca is the senior partner of LaPlaca ? McKenzie, PA, a Washington, DC area law firm that specializes in vehicle rental matters and franchise law. He is the author of "Federal and StateGuide© to Vehicle Rental Law," "Claims Involving Rented Vehicles" and the "LaPlaca•McKenzie Legislative Report." A frequent contributor to the car rental industry trade press, and often quoted as an industry source in business sections of major newspapers, Mr. LaPlaca is admitted to practice before the courts of the District of Columbia, Maryland and California.
Angela Margolit, President, and CEO, Bluebird Auto Rental Systems
In 1982, Bluebird Systems of Carlsbad, California introduced AutoMate, a character text product that represented the very first application software program for the auto rental industry. Throughout the 80s Bluebird Systems diversified into other transportation-related industries and grew to over 200 employees. Angela was hired in 1988 to work in Parsippany, New Jersey for the auto rental division. With programmer/analyst beginnings and a Master's Degree in Information Systems, Angela's background was tailor-made for a career in computer systems sales.
However, in 1993, she saw the need to re-write the software in Windows. Angela engineered an employee-leveraged buy-out of the auto rental division. Operations were moved from California to New Jersey over one weekend! The newly formed company, Bluebird Auto Rental Systems (BARS) immediately began the re-write of the software and in 1994 introduced the industry's first Windows product, AutoMate2. Along the way Angela secured the exclusive endorsements of Reynolds & Reynolds in the U.S. and Thrifty Car Rental throughout the world.
Its latest incarnation is Rent Works v3.0, and is now endorsed by most of the major car rental companies plus ADP.
To assist in the ever-changing Windows environment, BARS acquired a small computer company in 1997 based in Hackensack, New Jersey and formed a new division, Bluebird Technologies. Today, Bluebird Technologies not only serves the networking needs of BARS and their customers, but also small to medium sized business in northern New Jersey.
Not afraid to take on even more challenges, Angela led BARS to the acquisition of a friendly competitor, Orion System, based in Omaha, Nebraska. The office and staff remain there to support their customers throughout the world.
Angela's motto is "if you can't help it, don't think about it".
Chris Markiewicz, Director, Data Acquisitions, CARFAX
In 2005 Chris Markiewicz became director of Data Acquisitions for CARFAX's Service Link program. Prior to taking over this role, Chris was a data acquisition specialist focusing on working with dealers to increase their online exposure and revenue. Chris has been with Carfax for 7 years. Chris graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax Va. with a degree in Communications.
Michael Meyer, Auto Rate Exchange
Michael Meyer, co-founder of Rate-Highway and Auto Rate Exchange, is a leader in the design, development and implementation of ground-breaking Revenue Management and Competitive Intelligence systems. Michael’s system development career began in the United States Air Force while working on the navigation and weapons systems of F-16 aircraft. After the Air Force, Michael worked as a consultant with Microsoft, where he managed Fortune 1000 companies in the implementation of Microsoft software and guided the development of critical line of business applications for very large user bases. After leaving Microsoft in 1998, as a founder of Southern California’s Symmetry Computing, Michael co-created the first commercial Internet rate shopping product for the hotel industry called Check-Rate. After Check-Rate was sold to Hotel Industry giant TravelClick in 2001, Michael then focused exclusively on the car rental market, and his new company, Rate-Highway, provided the first rental car Internet rate information to the travel industry. Michael first arranged for Rate-Highway to provide this industry first through an existing filed GDS rate product offered by another company, then a year later decided to develop Rate-Monitor, a revolutionary revenue management tool to offer this technology directly to consumers. Today, Michael is still in the car rental space but is focusing his energy on another first, Auto Rate Exchange (ARX). ARX is a member managed private network for the controlled exchange of rate information, resulting in a level of control and revenue capture previously unavailable to the industry.
Chris McIntyre, Eagle Rider
Chris McIntyre was born in Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Economics. He had successful tenured at AT&T and NCR Corporation in the Financial Banking and Data Services Division as Senior Account Manager. From this experience, McIntyre offers EagleRider expertise in computer systems, technology management, networking, telecommunications, sales, and marketing. Current EagleRider responsibilities include directing business direction, national and international advertising, marketing and sales activities, new diversification start-ups, business plans, acquisitions, bids and proposals, business to business strategic teaming, contract negotiations, and services pricing.
Sandy Miller, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO, Franchise Services North America
Sandy Miller's name is ubiquitous in the world of car rental.
During the 1980s and early 90s Miller grew his Budget Rent a Car business into the largest Budget franchise operation in the U.S. Miller's Team Rental Group Inc. successfully went public in 1994. In 1997 the company acquired Budget Rent a Car Corporation, the parent to Budget Rent a Car & Truck Corporation Worldwide. Miller served as director, CEO and chairman of Budget Group Inc. until the company was sold to Cendant Corporation in 2002.
Today Miller is co-chairman and co-CEO of Franchise Services North America, a publicly traded company on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada. Through its two operating subsidiaries, U-Save Auto Rental of America, Inc. and Practicar Systems Inc., the company grants franchises under the U-Save Brand worldwide and the Rent-A-Wreck brand in Canada.
U-Save, with its subsidiary ARRC (Auto Rental Resource Center), hasmore than1,117 locations throughout the United States and is one of North America's largest franchise car rental companies.
Having directed the inner workings of car rental from both the corporate and franchise sides, few are better qualified than Miller to talk about surviving as an independent in this era of consolidation.
Joe Opferman, President, 1st Source/Truckers Bank
Joe Opferman is president of Truckers Bank Plan, a division of 1st Source Bank. Truckers Bank Plan specializes in providing fleet financing for more than 150 rental car companies throughout the United States as well as the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Truckers Bank Plan serves all aspects of the rental car market from major franchisees at large airport locations to small niche independents serving local and insurance replacement markets.
Eric Peterson, TSD
Eric Peterson is the Chief Technology Officer of TSD. With more than 20 years of experience in car rental technology, Eric is responsible for all aspects of TSD product research and development. TSD is a leading provider of technology and services to the Car Rental Industry. Prior to joining TSD, Eric was employed as a software engineer for Digital Equipment Corporation.
David Purinton, President, PurCo Fleet Services, Inc.
David Purinton is a veteran of the car rental industry who has been associated with the Car Rental Show since its creation, receiving high marks from those who have attended his many presentations. David is the president and founder of PurCo Fleet Services and currently serves as the secretary of the Utah/Idaho Car and Truck Rental and Leasing Association.
Ken Stellon, Vice President of Consulting Services, The Khoury Group
Ken Stellon oversees client relationships, program results and client satisfaction for the Khoury Group throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. He has worked in the car rental industry and travel services industry for over ten years in various sales, training and management roles. He has published numerous articles on performance management, sales force effectiveness, recruitment strategies and outside sales and marketing. Ken has a Bachelors Degree from Arizona State University. He recently completed his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. He and his family reside in St. Charles, Illinois.
Anne Taylor, Vice President, Marketing & Sales Commercial Fleet Division, AirIQ
Anne Taylor has been with AirIQ since its inception in 1997. Anne concentrates her efforts on providing integrated wireless fleet management technology to all commercial fleet markets, including the rental vehicle market. Anne is actively involved in several industry associations, and speaks at a number of association events. Anne holds an Honors BA from Trent University and Executive Development from Queen’s University.
Michael Towers, CEO, Fleet Salvage and Estimating Systems
Michael is the former chief executive officer of Fleet Financial Corp., one of the founding and leading litigation and subrogation firms servicing the car rental industry. In 1998, after 10 years of service, he sold his company to Zurich Insurance, retaining Fleet Salvage and Estimating Systems where he currently serves as CEO. Michael is a former rental car operator and is considered to be a leading expert in damage recovery, litigation strategy, loss of use, diminution of value and title branding. Michael was one of the founding members of ACTIF (now ACRA) and served as Vice President and Chairman of ACTIF's Legal and Legislative Committee.
Having more then 26 years of automotive experience, Michael holds certification as an I-Car Gold Class automotive repair expert, has been recognized by multiple judicial circuits as an expert in auto collision and repair, and has testified twice before the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) on general auto repair ethics & standards as well as the (NAAG) Car Rental Task Force. Since 1993, Michael has also taken a pro-active approach to helping the car rental industry self regulate itself by visiting more then 12 Insurance Commissioners and Attorneys General throughout the country.
Jerry Traylor, Manager, Las Vegas McCarran Airport
Jerry Traylor is the Manager of McCarran Rent – A – Car Center located in Las Vegas, Nevada near McCarran International Airport. Jerry oversees the operations of the newly opened facility which accommodates 11 major car rental agencies on 68 acres, including a 100, 000 square foot customer service building, a 1.8 million square foot parking garage and three (3) 148,000 square feet Quick Turn Around (QTA) facilities.
He is involved in all day-to-day operations and contract administration for the facility. This includes shuttle bus operations, common fueling systems, building maintenance, security, custodial and landscaping just to name a few.
Jerry has spent 20 years in the airport and aviation industry. Prior to accepting his current position, he was the Airport Property Manager for McCarran International Airport in which he was responsible for property acquisition, management, real estate development, land management and dispositions. His career at McCarran also includes Maintenance and Operations Supervisor and an Electrical Maintenance Supervisor involving facility maintenance, electrical construction and maintenance.
Together with his vast experience in so many aspects of airport development, construction, maintenance and property related issues; Jerry brings a wealth of knowledge to the challenges of facilities operations.
Ray Waltz, Director, Manheim Automotive Financial Services
RAY WALTZ is Director of the Commercial division of Manheim Financial Services (MAFS). In this role, Ray is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of MAFS - Commercial; the Commercial division offers a Rental Inventory Financing program, New Vehicle Floor Plan and Buy Here Pay Here Receivables Funding.
Prior to joining MAFS in 1999, Ray spent 14 years with General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) in various positions ranging from Account Representative to Senior Analyst at GMAC's Executive Offices located in Detroit, MI. Ray's career in the automotive industry began in Fort Lauderdale, FL as an Account Representative responsible for retail collections including self help repossessions; his career includes positions as Dealer Finance & Insurance Consultant, Collections Manager, Retail Acquisitions Analyst, Sales Representative and Commercial Lending Analyst. Ray is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Michael Wilson, Advantage Rent A Car
More information coming soon...
Wayne Yocum, National Rental Sales Manager, Rental Division, Automotive Finance Corporation
Wayne Yocum is the national rental sales manager for the rental division of Automotive Finance Corporation (AFC), a division of Kar Holdings, Inc. which also owns the Adesa Auto Auctions and Insurance Auto Auctions. In this role, Wayne is responsible for overseeing the sales of AFC Rental Inventory Financing programs both in the U.S. and Canada for both new and used fleet. Wayne joined AFC in 1995 and has held various positions with them including branch manager and manager of the Retail Alliance program for dealer customer finance programs. The last 8 years have been spent in his current position. Before entering the automotive field, Wayne spent over 22 years in the childcare field, the last 10 as the Indiana Director of the Baptist Children’s Home. He holds undergraduate degrees in Theology and Religious Education from Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania as well as a Master’s degree in Child Care Administration from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.












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