History

Since EMKAY’s inception in 1946 we have been the leader and driving force in creating what the fleet management industry is today.

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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.

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Leadership Team

  • Greg Tepas

    Vice Chairman

  • Andy Vella

    Senior Vice President Corporate Finance

  • Andy Griffith

    Chief Information Officer

  • Steve Guertler

    Senior Vice President Fleet Service Operations

  • Brad Vliek

    Vice President Client Services

  • 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
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History to Date

A timeline of EMKAY's history

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Midway Chevrolet was founded in Chicago

Founded by Samuel Katzin and Morton Weiss are the founders

1939
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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
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EMKAY Car Leasing Co. Inc. relocates to its own facility in Chicago

and is renamed to EMKAY, Inc.

May 2, 1952
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EMKAY, Inc. purchases the leasing accounts of Wilson Automotive Service
May 1955
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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
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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
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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
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Steve Benedict, President of EMKAY, passes away.

October 24, 1977
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EMKAY relocates to 19th Floor of the Kemper/Civic Opera Building in downtown Chicago.
1977
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Gary Tepas, hired as V.P. Sales for EMKAY
July 1978
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Industry “First” to employ a Network based computer system, (instead of a Mainframe) utilizing Datapoint concept.
1979
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Gary Tepas, named President of EMKAY
June 1980
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EMKAY, Inc. (Parent, Illinois) and EMKAY Leasing Corporation (Subsidiary, Delaware) merge and becomes EMKAY, Inc. (Illinois)
May 1981
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Industry “First” to have a magazine type annual product guide that combined editorials, industry information, and upcoming model year vehicle specifications.
1982
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Industry “First” to provide all sales and operations employees with their own desktop PC.
1983
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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
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Indiana Capital exits and distributes shares to EMKAY, Gary was then the largest shareholder and ownership was transferred.
1986
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EMKAY relocates to a new headquarters in Itasca, IL
January 1988
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Industry “First” to lead the industry toward lower debt to equity ratios and has maintained the industry’s lowest since then.
1989
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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
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Industry “First” to utilize "Total Server Mirroring" and 100% unlimited Power Backup to ensure a "never down" system.
1995
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EMKAY celebrates 50 years in the fleet management industry
March 1996
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Gary Tepas named Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
June, 1996
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Industry “First” to offer a 100% customizable vehicle policy & driver handbook.
1997
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EMKAY purchases leasing portfolio from Auto Rental Corporation, a Division of AMI Leasing Corp, Worcester, Mass.
November 2004
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EMKAY Mexico is Incorporated
2005
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EMKAY Acquires PHD Leasing
2006
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EMKAY celebrates 60 years in the fleet management industry
March 2006
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Greg Tepas named President and CEO for EMKAY, Inc.
2007
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Gary Tepas retires as President and Chief Executive Officer, remains as Chairman of the Board
March 2008
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Voted in as a 101 Best & Brightest Companies in Chicago
2009
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Voted into Best Places to Work in IL
2010
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EMKAY, Inc. acquires JPL
2011
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Chicago Tribune's top workplaces
2011
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Selected by InformationWeek 500 as a top innovator
2014
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Recipient of Multiple Stevie Awards
2014
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EMKAY is First Lessor to implement Auto Integrate
2014
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Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers
2015
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EMKAY Celebrates 70 Years as a premier provider in the fleet management industry
2016
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