We view leadership as a responsibility at every level, and that spirit of empowerment comes from an executive team that leads by example with every facet of the organization. Under the leadership of CEO Gary Rappeport, this team has helped to make Donlen the fleet industry's leader in financial strength, innovative technology and solutions, and superior customer service.
Gary Rappeport, Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer Gary Rappeport joined Donlen in 1986 and held a variety of roles prior to taking the leadership position in 1996. Gary has a strong belief that employee satisfaction leads to customer satisfaction, which ultimately results in business growth, and has developed the Donlen Service Success Chain in which annual goals are set and achievements benchmarked.
Gary’s focus on employee satisfaction, retention, and overall corporate culture led to his being named the 2009 Executive of the Year, Services, by the American Business Association (ABA) Stevie Awards. Gary was the focus of the December 2007 issue of Smart Business Chicago magazine.
Gary received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at the University of Florida and an MBA in Finance and Information Systems at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Prior to joining Donlen, he held sales and management positions at NCR and HP.
Gary is a member of the Chicago Chapter of the World Presidents Organization, and serves as chairman of the American Automotive Leasing Association. Gary is on the Dean's Advisory Board of the University of Wisconsin Business School. He is an active member of The Sierra Club and is diligently involved with Children’s Oncology Services, Inc.
Tom Callahan, President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Callahan serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Donlen. In this role, he leads critical operational areas including Vehicle Acquisition Services, Remarketing, License & Title, Quality/Project Management, Human Resources, and Information Technology.
Tom is also has responsibility for various customer facing groups including customer integration, account management and client relations. In addition, he has led Donlen’s efforts in establishing an international presence in the UK, Europe, and Mexico. Donlen’s international operations report to him.
Tom has held significant global leadership positions in general management, sales management, product development, quality, and operations in North America, UK, Japan, and Australasia with GE Commercial Finance – Fleet Services and GE Consumer Finance spanning a 19 year career.
He began his career at Ford Motor Company and held various sales and management roles of increasing responsibility including field sales, merchandising, and operations.
Tom is Black Belt certified in six sigma methodologies and has participated in several GE Crotonville leadership courses on strategy and business management. He earned a BBA from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Michael Manfred, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Michael Manfred is Donlen’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, managing the finance and accounting operations. Mike has extensive financial industry experience in corporate finance, treasury, and investment-related areas.
Prior to joining Donlen in 2004, Mike was Vice President for Bank One / JPMorgan Chase, where he was responsible for structured finance and funding of asset-backed securities. Mike’s other experience includes positions in Citigroup’s Global Securitized Products service area and at Heller Financial, Inc., a $20 billion multi-national commercial finance company.
Mike earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Barry Steel, Senior VP of Sales, Development and Strategy Barry Steel is Senior Vice President of Sales Development and Strategy for Donlen Corporation. Since 2002, when Barry joined Donlen as Senior ViP of Sales, he has been an integral part of Donlen’s Leadership Team and its significant growth.
Before joining Donlen, Barry spent six years at GE Capital Fleet Services where he began his career as an Account Manager in Philadelphia, Pa. He was then promoted to several management positions in St. Louis, Mo., and Irvine, Calif. before relocating to GE Capital headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minn. Prior to GE, Barry began his fleet leasing and management experience at Enterprise Leasing as an Account Manager.
Barry is an active member and participant in the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA), American Fleet Leasing Association (AFLA) and other fleet related associations.
Dave Lodding, President of Donlen Fleet Management Services Dave Lodding is President of Donlen Fleet Management Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Donlen Corporation, and is directly responsible for its strategic direction and day-to-day operations. Dave joined Donlen in August 1986 and has held numerous positions including Maintenance Advisor, Manager of Product Development, Director, and Vice President.
Dave has been instrumental in the development and expansion of Donlen’s Truck Maintenance, Fuel Management, and Accident Management programs. In this capacity, he developed and launched the first-of-its-kind fleet industry National Fuel Card Discount Finder to all customers who are utilizing the Donlen fuel card to further leverage fuel discounts offered through our Fuel Management program.
Prior to joining Donlen, Dave was an automobile technician for General Motors and held ASE Master Technician and General Motors Master Technician status. He also served as a part-time fire department captain/paramedic for more than 20 years.
Dave earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Elmhurst College and an Associate Degree in Fire Science from the College of DuPage.
Donlen's commitment to leadership at every level has helped us deliver breakthrough innovation to the fleet management industry.
Download a PDF version of the Leadership Team bios.
Gary RappeportTom Callahan Michael Manfred Barry Steel Dave Lodding