Flexcar Accelerates, Puts Bill Scott in Driver's Seat in Portland Office

Asset Caption: Bill Scott is the new general manager of Flexcar's Portland office

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    PORTLAND, Ore.--Aug. 21, 2002--Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest car-sharing company, announced two significant changes to its Portland office today.
    Bill Scott, former director of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department for the past decade, is now general manager of the Portland region office. In addition, Dave Brook, former general manager, has joined Flexcar's corporate team in a senior business development and operations role for new markets.
    While Scott served in the Department, the organization helped attract the industrial investments that have transformed Oregon into a major high technology center, as well as assisted Oregon's rural communities rebuild their economies following large declines in forest products employment.
    Previously, he served as president of Pacific Development, Inc., a PacifiCorp subsidiary that managed and developed real estate in Portland's Lloyd District; and as a vice president of NERCO, Inc., a Fortune 500 mining company.
    Scott is active in many civic organizations in Portland and he currently chairs the Leaders Roundtable and serves on the boards of the Innovation Partnership and PSU's Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, as well as the Oregon Symphony Foundation. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Cornell Law School.
    Dave Brook joined Flexcar in 2001 after merging his company -- CarSharing Portland -- with Flexcar. As general manager, he created and instituted programs that helped Flexcar's Portland member base exceed the 1,000 mark in June. Brook is credited by many as the "father of car-sharing" in the United States.
    As such, his experience is vital to Flexcar as the company continues its aggressive national expansion. In his new role, Brook's primary responsibility is assisting with the launch of Flexcar's new operations in California and other markets in 2003. He will work closely with the new general managers in each market on fundamental operations and management of the car-sharing program. In addition to supporting Flexcar's existing markets, he will spearhead the evaluation of potential new markets.
    Flexcar's innovative program provides members with access to a fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles, including gas-electric hybrids and electric cars, located throughout a metropolitan area. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Members can pay an hourly or monthly rate for use of the vehicles. Flexcar has more than 6,000 members in more than a dozen cities in five states and the District of Columbia.
    "What a tremendous opportunity for Flexcar to have Bill Scott on board," said Neil Peterson, Flexcar's president and CEO. "His record of achievement and success is second to none. I'm sure he will only increase the significant success and momentum we currently have in Portland. This frees Dave up to help Flexcar with the daunting challenge of launching 30 markets in the next five years. His in-depth understanding of all facets of a car-sharing operation will only make our expansion that much smoother."
    Following a successful European model, Flexcar launched its Seattle operations in 2000, and has since won numerous awards and commendations for its program that reduces congestion, air pollution and energy use, while increasing use of public transportation and contributing to sustainable communities. Used in conjunction with public transit, car/vanpools and walking/biking, car-sharing helps individuals meet their transportation needs in an economic and environmentally responsible manner, giving them the freedom of car ownership without the cost and hassles.

    Flexcar

    Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 6,000 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in 5 states and the District of Columbia. With flexible pricing plans, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork, paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar's modern fleet includes sedans, gas-electric hybrids, electric cars and specialty vehicles including pickups and convertibles. Flexcar has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro, Kitsap County (Wash.) Transit, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Parsons Transportation Group and American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

    Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar, Flex Car or Flexicar

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