Tarry Shebesta has been involved with the National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA) for 22 years.

And during NVLA’s annual conference in Tucson, Ariz., Shebesta was presented with the 2022 Clemens-Pender Lessor of the Year Award, which is the organization’s highest honor.

The Clemens-Pender Lessor of the Year was started in 1977 and is given annually by NVLA. The award was established to memorialize two pioneers of the vehicle leasing industry that formed the early roots of NVLA.

“Frank Pender and Jack Clemens were dedicated, hard-working vehicle lessors who exemplified the highest standards of the industry,” officials said in a news release.

“The award is given to the NVLA member lessor who best exemplifies the highest standards of professional conduct, dedication to the association and industry, hard work, and ethics,” they continued.

After Shebesta joined NVLA in 2000, he was nominated to the board two years later. Then in 2005, he took the reins as president for NVLA’s 40th anniversary year, the first time an Ohio member became president.

Shebesta is NVLA’s longest active serving board member. He’s held multiple board positions, chaired many committees, written industry articles, taught seminars, and helped navigate the organization through the industry crash of 2008.

 “I’m honored to receive this prestigious NVLA award and humbled to be in the same company as past honorees,” said Shebesta, who also is CEO of ACS Financial & FinTech. “My passion for bringing innovative solutions to the leasing industry has only been possible with the collaborative efforts of colleagues and fellow board members.“

 In 2023, Shebesta is in line again to take the helm as NVLA president.