NAFA Congratulates George Argueta On The Event Of His Retirement!

 

Literally an icon in fleet and NAFA alike, George Argueta has announced his well-earned retirement from the regional sales position at Corporate Claims Management. "It has been a long time coming and overdue," he said. "The time has come for me to enjoy good wine and the good things that life has to offer."

Argueta has experienced nearly every aspect of the fleet industry, as a manager, as a service provider, and as a constant, guiding support for others. He is a valued leader in NAFA's New York-InterCounty Chapter. But fleet wasn't necessarily his starting point.

"Having served in U.S. Navy on an aircraft carrier with the seventh fleet was the only experience and knowledge I had of the fleet business," Argueta said. "I was hired at Celanese Corporation in their travel department with the title of Auto Fleet Coordinator in 1965. My boss, who knew less about fleet than I did, suggested I join an association named NAFA. Little did I know that my decision to join NAFA would open a whole new world for me and my career in what we refer to today as the 'Fleet Business.'"

Argueta explained that it all started with a call from Warren Feirer (NAFA Past President, 1979-1981) inviting him as a guest to a NAFA New York Chapter meeting. "Approximately eight years later I was elected to the position of Chairman of the New York Chapter. The chairmanship of the NY chapter opened me up to the NAFA National Board of Governors where I served as Vice President of the Board of Delegates, Secretary, Third Vice President, Second Vice President, and as the First Affiliate Trustee."

George served during the esteemed presidencies of Bob Davis, Helen Bland, and Frank Krauss, "and (I was) honored to have sat on a dais with giants of the industry such as James McDonald (GM), Lee Iacocca (Chrysler), and to have sat next to Gene Cernan, the last man to have walked on the moon."

In his later years as an Affiliate (now Associate Member), George worked with Sal Crimi, a pioneer of collision management at Salex, and with current Board of Directors member Robert Martines at Corporate Claims Management. During these years, George has seen changes in fleet and in the world of automobiles that no one could have predicted, and he has rolled and weaved with every one of those changes. Now, he has decided, is the time to enjoy the rewards of all his efforts.

But don't expect George Argueta to fully leave the NAFA family. "My years at NAFA not only exposed me to a network of knowledge and contacts but the opportunity to develop many wonderful friendships with people throughout the country which would have never been possible had I not been an active member."

Thank you, George Argueta, for everything and for being such a tremendous figure in the NAFA family!