Robert “Bobby” Klyce, an Avis franchisee serving Birmingham, Ala., received the Auto Rental News Impact Award during Tuesday’s morning keynote address at the 2018 International Car Rental Show for his longtime service and dedication to the car rental industry.

Introduced by the American Car Rental Association’s (ACRA) Sharon Faulkner and Vice President of Government Affairs for Avis Budget Group Robert Muhs, Klyce was heralded for his dedication to promoting and managing the Avis brand.

“Bobby is a fierce advocate for the licensees and a fierce advocate for the industry,” Muhs said.

Klyce grew up in the car rental world. His family started renting cars in Birmingham as the Motor Livery Co. in 1918. In the 1930’s, Klyce’s grandfather purchased the Hertz name for the state of Alabama, which the family retained until Klyce’s father sold Hertz back to the corporation in 1970 to purchase an Avis franchise.

After graduating from the University of Alabama, Klyce returned to his hometown to work for his father at their Avis locations.

Faulkner said that there are few people in the car rental industry who have been involved as long as she has, but Klyce has her beat by a few years. “Personally, Bobby Klyce has been a great resource for me,” she continued. “He listens, he gives great advice and he has supported my work with ACRA for many years.”

Muhs said that he, and everyone at Avis, is honored to have Klyce as part of the Avis Budget family.

“To be honored by my peers, I’m humbled,” Klyce said while accepting his award. “I have to thank everyone I’ve worked with, from Avis Budget corporate to all the licensees. And I have to say that I’m not going anywhere just yet.”

In addition to his tenure with Avis, Klyce is an ACRA board member. He has been involved with the Avis Licensee Association for 35 years, most recently as chairperson, and has been a member of the Avis Advertising and Policy Committee for 20 years, where he also now serves as chairperson. Additionally, Klyce is a member of the Avis System Advertising Trust.