NVLA’s 35th Anniversary Opening Ceremonies on May 21, 2003 were highlighted with the awarding of NVLA’s most prestigious awards, the Clemens-Pender Lessor of the Year and the Samuel J. Lee Memorial Awards.

Elaine Litwer, CVLE, owner of EL Leasing Corporation in Bayside, New York and NVLA’s legislative coordinator, was the recipient of the 2003 Clemens-Pender Lessor of the Year Award. Faye Harris, CVLE, president and owner of Lease Tracking Services, Inc. in Sparks, Maryland and NVLA’s former associate director, was awarded the 2003 Samuel J. Lee Memorial award. President Tad Yoder, general manager of Marple Fleet Leasing, presented both Ms. Litwer and Ms. Harris with these awards. During the presentation, Mr. Yoder gave the audience an overview of their impressive backgrounds as industry leaders and women dedicated to the vehicle leasing industry and to NVLA, according to the association. The association added that the 2003 awards are significant because both Ms. Litwer and Ms. Harris are the first women to be recipients of these awards.

According to the NVLA, the Clemens-Pender Lessor of the Year Award was established in 1977 and is the highest honor to be awarded by the Association. The award was established to memorialize the two pioneers of the vehicle leasing industry, who were, in many respects, responsible for the formation of the organizations, which formed the early roots of the NVLA, Clemens in Northern California and Pender in Southern California. Frank Pender and Jack Clemens were dedicated, hard working and highly ethical participants in the vehicle leasing industry. Each exemplified the highest standards of professional conduct. This award is given annually to the lessor who best exemplifies the principles for which Jack Clemens and Frank Pender, the Association's founders, stood.

The association further said that the Samuel J. Lee Memorial Award salutes lifetime achievement and significant and lasting contributions to the vehicle leasing industry by a non-lessor. Sam Lee, like Jack Clemens and Frank Pender, was a pioneer, breaking new ground, exploring, experimenting and teaching. This award is given to recognize the special qualities, which the man for whom this award is named displayed during a long and distinguished career servicing the vehicle leasing industry. This award is given every other year to the non-lessor who best exemplifies these qualities.

A committee made up of past winners of the award and the NVLA Executive Committee selects the winner based on four categories of achievement: the number of nominations each candidate receives; service to the Association; service to the industry; service to the local community; and the votes of the committee members themselves.

Founded in 1968, the National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA) is a trade association of about 200 vehicle leasing companies in the U.S. and Canada whose purpose is to promote the leasing concept while encouraging the highest ethical and professional standards. About 100 manufacturers, suppliers and consultants to the industry also belong to the association as Associate Members. The NVLA says it provides educational opportunities, promotes responsible legislation and communicates with members regarding developments and trends in vehicle leasing.

For more information on the National Vehicle Leasing Association visit the website at www.nvla.org or contact headquarters at 1900 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1498; Ph. 215-564-3484; Fax (215) 963-9785; E-Mail: info@nvla.org.