Government Fleet Announces Three Finalists for Public Sector of the Year Award
TORRANCE, CA – Government Fleet magazine has announced the three finalists for the 2008 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year. They are: George Baker, Volusia County, Fla.; Windell Mitchell, King County DOT; Wash.; Douglas Weichman, CAFM, Palm Beach County, Fla.

George Baker currently serves as director of central services for Volusia County, Fla. and his fleet was recently ranked No. 1 Fleet in North America by the 100 Best Fleets.
TORRANCE, CA – Government Fleet magazine has announced the three finalists for the 2008 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year. They are: George Baker, Volusia County, Fla.; Windell Mitchell, King County DOT; Wash.; Douglas Weichman, CAFM, Palm Beach County, Fla.
The annual award, now in its fourth year, sponsored by Automotive Resources International (ARI) and Fleet Counselor Services, Inc., will be presented on May 4 at the NAFA Fleet Management Institute & Expo, held May 3-6. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in the Venezia Garden Salon at the Grand America Hotel located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The award ceremony will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Fleet managers who have been nominated completed a short essay questionnaire based on nine principles. The questionnaire is based on some of the fleet certification standards developed by Fleet Counselor Services, Inc., and will serve as a prequalification process for an independent panel of fleet professionals appointed by Government Fleet magazine, who will be charged with qualifying and ranking each nominee to determine the winner.
The Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year questionnaire consists of nine questions not to exceed 100 words per answer:
Business plan development.
Computer systems and technology utilization.
Productivity initiatives.
Policies and procedures development and implementation.
Preventive maintenance programs.
Utilization management.
Vehicle acquisition and replacement programs.
Customer service and downtime initiatives.
Fuel management program.
The three finalists are:



More Operations

Why Public Fleet Success Depends on More Than the Vehicles | From the Show Floor with Tim Coxwell
Fleet decisions rarely stay inside the garage. From funding pressure to emissions planning, Tim Coxwell explains what it takes to keep a sheriff’s office fleet moving while planning for what comes next.
Read More →
How Government Fleets Helped Build America
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this look back explores how government fleets evolved from horse-drawn wagons to specialized vehicles that keep communities running today.
Read More →
Fleet History, Long-Term Maintenance, and Fleet Needs | GovCast Cheat Sheet
Public fleet work has changed dramatically, but the core responsibility remains the same: keeping communities moving.
Read More →
Recognizing Progress, Leadership in Fleets | The June Dispatch
Catch up on the past month, whether you're interested in GFX news or Government Fleets' go-to articles for your operation.
Read More →
Beyond Utilization Rates: Smarter Fleet Replacement Decisions
Vehicle replacement decisions affect every aspect of fleet performance, from operating costs to asset availability. This guide explores how fleet leaders use integrated data, benchmarking, and lifecycle analytics to determine the right fleet size and optimize replacement timing with greater confidence.
Read More →
Talking Success, Leadership, and Fleet Needs
A perspective on the future of fleet management, the lessons learned about building strong teams in the public sector, and how to carry forward the department’s strategic direction.
Read More →
Proactive Approaches to Fleet Management Challenges with Erinn DeJonge
In this episode, we put the spotlight on the professional journey of Erinn DeJonge, CAFM, who brings a wealth of experience to her role as the fleet business operations manager at Sarasota County Government.
Read More →
The FleetGap Initiative: Transitioning from Military to Civilian Fleet Roles
FleetGap is working to build the missing bridge between service members preparing for civilian careers and fleet employers facing workforce shortages.
Read More →
How Government Fleets Are Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Practical Decisions
Public sector fleets are using connected technology to improve visibility, but the bigger challenge is building the processes to act on the information it provides.
Read More →
RoadFlex Brings Fuel Tax Compliance and Audit-Ready Reporting to Government, Public Works Fleets
New capabilities aim to help public-sector and public works fleets streamline fuel tax exemptions, reclamation, reconciliation, and audit-ready reporting.
Read More →

