We regret to inform you of the untimely passing of Elaine Litwer, president of Bayside, N.Y.-based E.L. Leasing Corp. and legislative coordinator of the National Vehicle Leasing Association.
For more than 25 years Elaine championed the rights of vehicle lessors. In 1982, she became active in her efforts to repeal vicarious-liability provisions, after she paid out $9.2 million in a case involving a lessee. Her activism and numerous visits to Albany, N.Y., finally paid off when President George W. Bush signed the Transportation Equity Act, a 2005 law that effectively abolishes vicarious liability laws nationwide.
Elaine received the first-ever Auto Finance Excellence Award, bestowed by Auto Finance News, in 2005.
Elaine passed away on April 5. Contributions may be made to Elaine’s favorite charity: The Grand Street Settlement, Attn: Development Dept., 80 Pitt Street, New York, New York 10002.
-The Editors
Note: We invite AutoFinanceNews.net members to share their memories of Elaine in comments to this post.
I always thought Elaine was trying to help. At one point, we were having rough go with a particular captive that thought our coverage of it was unfair. I talked to Elaine about it and she took it upon herself to trying to reconcile the situation. That’s how I’ll remember her — as someone who cared enough about other people (not institutions per se) to take the initiative to try to help. And always with a smile. My heart goes out to her family and the NVLA.