March 2007
I have an opportunity to write about one of our retired Members so this month it is my pleasure to introduce John B. Collura as our Member of the Month. I first met John in 1986 when he was a customer from Mead Truck Renting when I was an Assistant Service Manager at Metropolitan International Trucks. Little did I know then that one day, I would be working with him.
Born in 1930, John was raised in Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn High School of Automotive Trades in 1948. He has been married to his wife, Marie, since 1953 and they have two children, Patrick and Susan and four grandsons Daniel, John, Michael and Gregory. John enjoys deer and turkey hunting in Pennsylvania and saltwater fishing through out the year in his spare time. The Colluras presently reside in East Meadow, NY.
John had a very distinguished career in the truck leasing industry by the time we first met. He started as a mechanic at Sam Ginsberg Automotive Repairs in Brooklyn back in 1948. In 1951, the US Army called John and for the next few years he was a foot soldier, tank driver and tank commander. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class and spent a year overseas in Korea. Upon his discharge, John was a partner in Buckingham Garage in Brooklyn performing general automotive repairs.
In 1960, Arista Truck Renting bought Buckingham Garage and John was the foreman of a six man shop responsible for all maintenance and repairs for a 400 vehicle fleet. In 1967, John moved on to Hertz Truck Rental and was the Operations Manager at the 10th Avenue, New York City location where he was responsible for the operation of a 600 vehicle fleet. Six years passed and in 1973, John once again moved up the ladder to Regional Maintenance Manager for Pepsico Truck Rental. Here, John was responsible for a fleet of over 1,000 vehicles located in 25 East Coast field sites from Connecticut to Georgia. In 1978, Pepisco was purchased by Gelco of Maspeth, NY. He was the Operations Manager for a 600 vehicle fleet located in four field garages located within a 50 mile radius in the Tri-State area.
In 1981, Mead Truck Renting of Maspeth, NY acquired Gelco and John became the Vice President of Operations. He was responsible for all operational aspects of a fleet of over 400 vehicles which included tractors, dry and refrigerated vans at two locations. In mid 1991, I joined John as his Service Manager at Mead until his retirement in 1992.
John has been an active Member of the Society since September 1986 and still attends many of our monthly meetings. His vast experience and knowledge of the truck rental industry makes him an important asset to the Society. He is distinguished in this field and I am proud to be able to be called his friend.
- Richard Chan
Meetings
Wednesday, Feb 15 2012
Koenig’s Restaurant
86 South Tyson Ave.
Floral Park, NY 11001
For directions, click here.
Cocktail Hour at 6 PM - 7 PM
Dinner and Meeting at 7 PM
Members - $35 Guests - $45
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