LeasePlan announced on October 11 the appointment of Donald J. Schaffer as senior vice president, and chief financial officer. Alpharetta, GA-based LeasePlan USA, the nation's second largest vehicle management company, leases and manages fleets of cars and trucks to corporations throughout the U.S.

In his new role, Schaffer will be responsible for directing LeasePlan's U.S. financial operations. This will include responsibility for strategic financial activities including financial plans and policies, financial planning and analysis, budgeting and forecasting, tax, risk management, credit and collections, ISO certification, internal audit, and office services and facilities. He will also assist with M&A due diligence and valuation.

Schaffer brings over 20 years of experience in the transportation industry to LeasePlan from his former position as vice president, finance and chief financial officer of Chicago-based GATX Rail Corporation.

"Don Schaffer's experience and expertise in successfully directing the financial efforts of one of the industry's global transportation leaders will be highly beneficial to LeasePlan USA," said Dave Dahm, president and CEO, LeasePlan USA. "His proven track record to effectively grow business profitably will play a key role in our company's future growth and development."

Schaffer holds an M.B.A. Degree from Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a B.S. degree in Accounting from Illinois State University. He is also a CPA and a member of the Financial Executives Institute, AICPA, and Illinois CPA Society.

Founded in 1963, LeasePlan is a wholly owned subsidiary of ABN AMRO Lease Holding, which is owned by ABN AMRO Bank. LeasePlan manages a total of 1.2 million vehicles throughout the world from offices in 26 countries. For more information, visit www.us.leaseplan.com.