History

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

Maintenance Management on the iphone
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.

Maintenance Management on the iphone

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
Maintenance Management on the iphone

History to Date

A timeline of EMKAY's history

Picture


Midway Chevrolet was founded in Chicago

Founded by Samuel Katzin and Morton Weiss are the founders

1939
Picture


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

and is renamed to EMKAY, Inc.

May 2, 1952
Picture


EMKAY, Inc. purchases the leasing accounts of Wilson Automotive Service
May 1955
Picture
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
Picture
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
Picture


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
Picture

Steve Benedict, President of EMKAY, passes away.

October 24, 1977
Picture


EMKAY relocates to 19th Floor of the Kemper/Civic Opera Building in downtown Chicago.
1977
Picture


Gary Tepas, hired as V.P. Sales for EMKAY
July 1978
Picture


Industry “First” to employ a Network based computer system, (instead of a Mainframe) utilizing Datapoint concept.
1979
Picture
Gary Tepas, named President of EMKAY
June 1980
Picture


EMKAY, Inc. (Parent, Illinois) and EMKAY Leasing Corporation (Subsidiary, Delaware) merge and becomes EMKAY, Inc. (Illinois)
May 1981
Picture
Industry “First” to have a magazine type annual product guide that combined editorials, industry information, and upcoming model year vehicle specifications.
1982
Picture


Industry “First” to provide all sales and operations employees with their own desktop PC.
1983
Picture


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
Picture
Indiana Capital exits and distributes shares to EMKAY, Gary was then the largest shareholder and ownership was transferred.
1986
Picture


EMKAY relocates to a new headquarters in Itasca, IL
January 1988
Picture
Industry “First” to lead the industry toward lower debt to equity ratios and has maintained the industry’s lowest since then.
1989
Picture
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
Picture


Industry “First” to utilize "Total Server Mirroring" and 100% unlimited Power Backup to ensure a "never down" system.
1995
Picture


EMKAY celebrates 50 years in the fleet management industry
March 1996
Picture
Gary Tepas named Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
June, 1996
Picture


Industry “First” to offer a 100% customizable vehicle policy & driver handbook.
1997
Picture
EMKAY purchases leasing portfolio from Auto Rental Corporation, a Division of AMI Leasing Corp, Worcester, Mass.
November 2004
Picture


EMKAY Mexico is Incorporated
2005
Picture
EMKAY Acquires PHD Leasing
2006
Picture
EMKAY celebrates 60 years in the fleet management industry
March 2006
Picture


Greg Tepas named President and CEO for EMKAY, Inc.
2007
Picture
Gary Tepas retires as President and Chief Executive Officer, remains as Chairman of the Board
March 2008
Picture


Voted in as a 101 Best & Brightest Companies in Chicago
2009
Picture


Voted into Best Places to Work in IL
2010
Picture
EMKAY, Inc. acquires JPL
2011
Picture


Chicago Tribune's top workplaces
2011
Picture


Selected by InformationWeek 500 as a top innovator
2014
Picture


Recipient of Multiple Stevie Awards
2014
Picture


EMKAY is First Lessor to implement Auto Integrate
2014
Picture


Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers
2015
Picture


EMKAY Celebrates 70 Years as a premier provider in the fleet management industry
2016
Back to top