In Memoriam: Mark Halpern Glaiber, 1946-2010

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Mark Halpern Glaiber, former Assistant Director of the General Services Administration (GSA) for Miami-Dade County, passed away July 29 in Smyrna, Ga. He was 64. 

Prior to his retirement on June 30, 2004, Glaiber was a Member of NAFA for nearly 20 years. In addition to serving on several national NAFA committees, he is a former Chapter Chair of the Sunshine State Chapter.

Among Glaiber's key accomplishments was being the creator of the innovative fleet replacement trust fund for government fleets. Glaiber was a long-time leader in championing this vehicle funding method.

Glaiber graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1968 with a degree in Political Science and worked for the City of Hartford as a Budget Analyst. Two years later he moved to Miami, Fla. to become a budget analyst for Miami Dade County Government.

Glaiber earned a master's degree in Public Administration in 1972 at Penn State, returned to Miami, and continued to work for Miami Dade County Government for over 32 years. He was still in his 20s when he was promoted to Assistant Director of the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Authority and later became Director of the Elections Office. Following this, he was named Director of the GSA/Fleet Management Division and ultimately becoming the Assistant Director of GSA for Miami-Dade County.

"Mark was one of the icons in the Fleet Management industry.  He was a great visionary and to my knowledge the creator of a vehicle replacement policy fund concept for Governmental Fleets which is now emulated in the industry," said Doug Weichman, CAFM, Director, Fleet Management Division for Palm Beach County. Earlier in his career, Weichman worked for Glaiber. "He was a great mentor and I believe my success as a Fleet Manager is directly related to his role of my mentor.  He has left a legacy through the numerous lives he touched and mentored throughout his career."

In was noted in his obituary that Glaiber taught his children how to love unconditionally, took pride in his work and family, loved music, food, friends, traveling, national parks, had a passion for the Southwest, and enjoyed planning trips for his friends.

Glaiber is survived by his triplet daughters Laura Burkhart, Kimberly Fishman, Julie Stewart and son Adam Glaiber as well as his nine grandchildren.