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NAFA Fellows Program

NAFA Fellows serve to inspire and develop extraordinary current and future fleet professionals who aspire to be leaders within the automotive fleet industry. This group of professionals will have proven to have had tremendous impact on and provided outstanding leadership for not only NAFA, but also the fleet industry, the core disciplines or fleet, and their colleagues and peers.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Fellows consideration, a candidate must be an NAFA member for the past five consecutive years. Successful candidates are accomplished professionals who have demonstrated their ability to contribute to the achievement of the Fellows’ goals. Each selected candidate must show:

  • Evidence of leadership and contribution in the advancement of NAFA and the fleet industry. Some examples include serving on a NAFA committee or chapter volunteer role, obtaining the CAFM, providing subject matter expertise for members and/or serving in different leadership positions in the fleet profession.
  • Commitment to being an inclusive leader by demonstrating activities that drive mentoring and peer development within all facets of the fleet industry.
  • Evidence of strategic and future-focused thinking and a commitment to innovation, life-long learning, and visionary leadership.

What are NAFA Fellows?

NAFA Fellows:

  • Are accomplished professionals who have been identified for their demonstrated leadership in the fleet industry.
  • Have committed to advancing the workforce and the body of knowledge that underpins a dynamic and ever-evolving fleet management profession.
  • Strengthen the fleet management profession through their active engagement and contributions to NAFA and its initiatives.

Why does NAFA have a Fellows program?

NAFA values long-time volunteers and highly engaged members for their contributions to our shared profession. The NAFA Fellows program is among NAFA’s highest honors, recognizing individuals who have made a significant impact on the fleet profession through exemplary volunteer service and leadership, extraordinary accomplishments, or other major contributions to NAFA and the profession of fleet management. The NAFA Fellows program is an honorary recognition and a call to continued leadership and service.

How are Fellows selected?

There are several steps in the Fellows selection process, which is governed by a Selection Committee composed of Fellows in good standing and several NAFA members. Only NAFA members are eligible to be nominated. Nominations (comprised of a name and contact information) may be submitted by another NAFA member or nominees may self-nominate. Once nominated, nominees choosing to apply must fill out a Fellows application, which includes submission of a curriculum vitae and answering several essay questions. The Committee reviews all applications and invites selected candidates to a final selection round. Final candidates are invited for individual interviews with two to three selection committee members. Each class of Fellows is unique and there is no minimum or maximum class size.

What do the Fellows do?

Once selected, Fellows are expected to continue to be high-level contributors to NAFA. Individually, Fellows serve as authors, speakers, mentors, volunteer leaders, political and advocacy supporters, and advocates on behalf of the fleet management industry. Fellows may attend an annual retreat designed to strengthen peer relationships and address key issues in the fleet industry. They participate in strategic conversations, which often result in sessions at other NAFA programs and articles in NAFA publications.

Application and Selection FAQs

Am I eligible if my NAFA membership lapsed but my cumulative years of NAFA membership are five years?

Unfortunately, no, the membership requirement to apply for NAFA Fellows is five consecutive years of membership. Please revisit the eligibility guidelines once you have met this requirement.

My application reflects giving a presentation at a NAFA event. Will this meet the NAFA service requirement?

Unfortunately, no, NAFA Fellows eligibility requires continuous and graduated service to the association. Specific examples include serving on a committee, Chapter or Regional Board, Board of Directors, or other key advisory or task force. Graduated service might look like serving as a task force member, then standing committee member, then committee chair, for example. We recommend that the application specify comprehensive NAFA activities such as presentations, articles and contributions, volunteer service, and volunteer leadership appointments.

As a CAFM, am I automatically made a NAFA Fellow? Is the credential considered as a factor in my application?

NAFA’s CAFM credential denotes the understanding and use of the fleet management body of knowledge. Combined with continued and graduated experience, the CAFM is a critical consideration in being eligible to apply to become a NAFA Fellow. That said, the CAFM is not a requirement but is encouraged.

While serving on the NAFA Board, am I eligible to apply to become a NAFA Fellow?

Unfortunately, no, current members of the Board entity are not eligible to apply to become a NAFA Fellow. That said, once the Board term is over, an application can be submitted for consideration, and will be considered against the same criteria against which all other applications are considered.

Am I eligible to reapply the following year if my Fellows application is not accepted?

Yes, but we encourage you to consider the feedback given regarding your original application and clearly show growth in the areas that were identified. Feedback will be given to applicants and requests for further discussion considered if desired.