Ed Peper, the head of GM Fleet and the current U.S. Vice President for GM Envolve, is retiring effective September 1, 2023. The news was first announced by our sister publication, Automotive Fleet. 

Peper's retirement marks the end of an illustrious career spanning over 39 years with General Motors. Peper has become a prominent figure in the fleet industry over the past four decades, leaving a lasting impact on the company and the automotive world.

He will be succeeded by Sandor Piszar, effective Aug. 1. Piszar, 51, was most recently vice president, sales, service, and marketing for GM Canada.  

No stranger to Work Truck, we have interviewed Peper for numerous articles and videos. Seeing his tall shadow on event show floors as I snagged a hug will most definitely be missed by this short editor. 

"I can confidently say that the work truck industry will deeply miss Ed Peper. His retirement marks the departure of a visionary leader who has consistently championed innovation and progress within General Motors. Peper's extensive experience and deep understanding of fleet were instrumental in shaping the success of GM Fleet and GM Envolve. Ed's absence will be felt, but his legacy of excellence and forward-thinking will continue to resonate within the work truck industry for years to come," said Lauren Fletcher, executive editor - fleet, trucking & transportation at Bobit. 

A Look Back at a Fleet-Filled Career

Peper joined General Motors in 1984, initially working in sales under the Cadillac division. Throughout his career, he held various key positions within the company. 

Peper's notable roles include General Sales Manager for Cadillac, General Manager and Vice President for Chevrolet, General Manager for GM's Northeast Region, and VP-Sales for Saab Cars USA. 

When he was promoted to U.S. Vice President, Fleet & Commercial Sales in May 2012, Peper said: "This is a further indication of GM's recognition of the importance of the Fleet & Commercial business to the company's success. We put the customer first in everything we do and are committed to providing them with great products, innovative business solutions, and an exceptional customer experience."

And he continued to put the customer first every day. 

In addition, under his leadership over the years, Peper and his teams successfully sold nearly 23 million vehicles.

One of Peper's significant and most recent accomplishments was his involvement in creating GM's innovative business-to-business brand, GM Envolve, which launched just this past May. This brand has introduced new opportunities and solutions for the fleet industry, showcasing Peper's forward-thinking approach and commitment to driving growth and innovation within General Motors.

Looking Ahead at GM Fleet

The new head of GM Fleet will be tasked with continuing Peper's legacy and leading the division into the future.

Peper's retirement marks an illustrious career at General Motors, where his extensive experience, strategic insights, and dedication to excellence have made a significant impact. His contributions to the company and his invaluable industry knowledge have shaped General Motors' success and growth throughout his tenure in ways we will continue to feel for years. 

As Peper embarks on a new chapter, his remarkable career will continue to inspire many in the automotive and fleet industries.

Editor's Note: Orginally published June 26, updated with successor information June 27.