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Gerald (Jerry) Frick, retired director, industrial and authorities gross sales for North American Fleet, Lease & Remarketing Operations (NAFLRO) for Ford Motor Co., handed away on Feb. 10, 2021. He was 73.

Born in Gering, Neb., Frick attended the College of Nebraska from 1965-1970 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science diploma. He started his profession at Ford in 1970 and retired in 2006. He labored in each home and worldwide assignments at Ford, together with industrial fleet gross sales supervisor and director of truck gross sales and advertising for Ford of Europe in England.

Frick mentioned in Automotive Fleet (AF) journal interview that his project to Ford of Europe and residing in England as some of the fascinating experiences in his life. “It was very particular to journey for the corporate and personally all through Western and Japanese Europe within the early Nineties,” mentioned Frick within the interview.

Throughout his profession with Ford Motor Co., Frick held subject gross sales positions in San Francisco, Memphis, the Northeast Area, and Pittsburgh, the place he was district supervisor. In 1990, Frick was appointed director of truck advertising for Ford of Europe.

In December 1994, he was named VP, advertising and gross sales for Jaguar Vehicles North America, which on the time was owned by Ford Motor Co. In 1996, Frick was assigned to NAFLRO headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.,  to steer Ford’s industrial fleet gross sales operations. In 2001, whereas persevering with to function director of business fleet gross sales operations, Frick was given the extra accountability to additionally lead the NAFLRO authorities gross sales operations.

Frick retired from Ford Motor Co. on Jan. 1, 2006. Upon retirement, he moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. Frick thought of his prime private achievement was balancing a profession with Ford Motor Co. whereas serving to to lift three youngsters. “As a household, we moved 12 occasions within the first 26 years to each home in addition to worldwide assignments,” mentioned Frick.

Frick was additionally very energetic with fleet trade associations. He served as director of Allied on the AFLA Board of Administrators, was an energetic member of the NAFA Fleet Administration Affiliation Associates Committee, and a key member of the NAFA Basis Board of Administrators.

Over time, Frick obtained quite a few trade accolades. In 2012, Frick was inducted within the AF Fleet Corridor of Fame, which is solely sponsored by the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Affiliation (AFLA).

Earlier, in 2005, the Nationwide Automobile Leasing Affiliation (NVLA) offered Frick with its Samuel J. Lee Memorial Award on the affiliation’s 2005 Annual Convention and Exposition in Orlando, Fla. The Samuel J. Lee Memorial Award acknowledges lifetime achievement and vital, lasting contributions to the automobile leasing trade by a non-lessor.

When requested what recommendation he wished somebody would have given you earlier than getting into fleet, Frick mentioned: “I want I had the recommendation or alternative to enter the fleet trade earlier. It’s an thrilling and dynamic enterprise and one the place friendships in addition to skilled relationships are extremely valued by all who’re in it,” mentioned Frick in a 2002 interview revealed in Automotive Fleet journal.

Frick is survived by Victoria, his spouse of 51 years, and three youngsters: Meghan, Ryan, and Andrew. His son Andrew is vice chairman, gross sales, U.S. & Canada at Ford Motor Firm and an organization officer.