History
Since EMKAY’s inception in 1946 we have been the leaderand driving force in creating what the fleet management industry is today.
View Our History Timeline
Mission Statement
We are dedicated to being the premier provider of fleet management solutions.
We optimize fleet performance by delivering innovative products and technologies, expeditious service, and proactive consulting. We create a client experience that is simple, better, and different.
Leadership Team
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Greg Tepas
Vice Chairman
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Andy Vella
Senior Vice President Corporate Finance
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Andy Griffith
Chief Information Officer
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Steve Guertler
Senior Vice President Fleet Service Operations
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Brad Vliek
Vice President Client Services
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Andrew Beinke
Vice President US Sales & Marketing
Awards
Year after year, truly a winning team
Careers
See your career take-off, View Job Listings
Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Health Benefits
- Paid Vacation Time
- 401K Including Generous Company Matching
- Fitness & Wellness Programs
- Short and Long Term Disability
- Life Insurance
History to Date
A timeline of EMKAY's history
Midway Chevrolet was founded in Chicago
Founded by Samuel Katzin and Morton Weiss are the founders
1939
EMKAY Car Leasing Co. Inc. begins business inside Midway Chevrolet
Samuel Katzin and Katzin’s brother-in-law Michael Braude are owners of the new fleet leasing Company. Michael Braude is named President
March 29, 1946
EMKAY Car Leasing Co. Inc. relocates to its own facility in Chicago
and is renamed to EMKAY, Inc.
May 2, 1952
EMKAY, Inc. purchases the leasing accounts of Wilson Automotive Service
May 1955
EMKAY Inc. announces plans to lease vehicles in England, France and Germany
In addition to vehicles already on lease in Venezuela, EMKAY, Inc. announces plans to lease vehicles in England, France and Germany.
1965
Michael Braude and Samuel Katzin sell EMKAY, Inc. to Indiana Capital Corp, headed by Samuel Rae
Steven Benedict - Executive V.P., is hired as President and Samuel Rae is elected Chairman of the Board for EMKAY, Inc.
February 1973
Dean Milburn, Salesman for EMKAY, makes case with Management and EMKAY creates an industry “First” by providing fuel credit cards to lease customers
Western Electric is the first customer to sign onto the fuel card program.
1973
Steve Benedict, President of EMKAY, passes away.
October 24, 1977
EMKAY relocates to 19th Floor of the Kemper/Civic Opera Building in downtown Chicago.
1977
Gary Tepas, hired as V.P. Sales for EMKAY
July 1978
Industry “First” to employ a Network based computer system, (instead of a Mainframe) utilizing Datapoint concept.
1979
Gary Tepas, named President of EMKAY
June 1980
EMKAY, Inc. (Parent, Illinois) and EMKAY Leasing Corporation (Subsidiary, Delaware) merge and becomes EMKAY, Inc. (Illinois)
May 1981
Industry “First” to have a magazine type annual product guide that combined editorials, industry information, and upcoming model year vehicle specifications.
1982
Industry “First” to provide all sales and operations employees with their own desktop PC.
1983
EMKAY Motors founded in Schaumburg to act as a service shop, body shop, daily rental provider, and new vehicle deliverer for all leasing customers in the Chicago area.
1985
Indiana Capital exits and distributes shares to EMKAY, Gary was then the largest shareholder and ownership was transferred.
1986
EMKAY relocates to a new headquarters in Itasca, IL
January 1988
Industry “First” to lead the industry toward lower debt to equity ratios and has maintained the industry’s lowest since then.
1989
Industry “First” and still only to have a "Big Brother" type Driver Profile System.
This system keeps DMV and accident records by driver, not vehicle or company, and maintains them for a moving 10-year period regardless of employer.
1992
Industry “First” to utilize "Total Server Mirroring" and 100% unlimited Power Backup to ensure a "never down" system.
1995
EMKAY celebrates 50 years in the fleet management industry
March 1996
Gary Tepas named Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
June, 1996
Industry “First” to offer a 100% customizable vehicle policy & driver handbook.
1997
EMKAY purchases leasing portfolio from Auto Rental Corporation, a Division of AMI Leasing Corp, Worcester, Mass.
November 2004
EMKAY Mexico is Incorporated
2005
EMKAY Acquires PHD Leasing
2006
EMKAY celebrates 60 years in the fleet management industry
March 2006
Greg Tepas named President and CEO for EMKAY, Inc.
2007
Gary Tepas retires as President and Chief Executive Officer, remains as Chairman of the Board
March 2008
Voted in as a 101 Best & Brightest Companies in Chicago
2009
Voted into Best Places to Work in IL
2010
EMKAY, Inc. acquires JPL
2011
Chicago Tribune's top workplaces
2011
Selected by InformationWeek 500 as a top innovator
2014
Recipient of Multiple Stevie Awards
2014
EMKAY is First Lessor to implement Auto Integrate
2014
Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers
2015
EMKAY Celebrates 70 Years as a premier provider in the fleet management industry
2016
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