John Alley

City of San Diego

With more than 40 years of fleet management experience, Deputy Director John Alley and his team of professionals have successfully implemented the City’s new management best practice titled "Business Process Reengineering," consolidating fleet operations for all customer departments under one organization.

The results have saved the City more than $3.5 million in the first year. It has allowed the City to establish a long-term vehicle replacement plan; implement a comprehensive vehicle financial plan; establish standard lifecycle classes for all city vehicles; improve PM-to-unscheduled maintenance ratios; reduce maintenance backlog and overtime; increase customer service levels; reduce overall vehicle emission levels; and increase team morale in all shops.

The results of unifying operations were evident in the recent Fire Storm 2007 when fleet had more than 65 fire engines ready to deploy the night three fires broke in the County. Throughout the operation, fleet deployed assets and staff where and when required and recovered within days following the emergency.

George Baker

Volusia County, Fla.

A 32-year fleet veteran, primarily in the public sector, George Baker currently serves as director of central services for Volusia County, Fla. Under Baker’s direction, the fleet management team accomplishments in the past 2½ years include implementing a fuel master plan that increased fuel capacity by 58,000 gallons; providing fuel sales and fleet service to 10 local agencies, generating a revenue stream of $1.1 million; creating an in-house generator PM, load bank, and mobile fueling team that reduced cost 45 percent below private vendors; greening the fleet with 11 hybrid-electric vehicles and more than 120 E-85 flex-fuel vehicles; installing GPS on more than 350 vehicles; becoming a Ford and GM warranty station; establishing leadership development and succession plans; developing training and technology master plans; and being selected the 2008 No. 1 Fleet in North America by the 100 Best Fleets.

Barb Bonansinga

State of Illinois

The State of Illinois fleet is a leader in green fleets, purchasing E-85, hybrid, and biodiesel vehicles and fuels, making green products more available to the public as a result. Fleet Manager Barb Bonansinga credits a dedicated network of state agency vehicle coordinators and the leadership and staff at central management systems (CMS) for continued creativity and innovation in spite of tough economic times.

With 25 years of fleet experience, Bonansinga is currently helping implement a Web-based interface for ongoing utilization analysis of the Illinois fleet. She has assisted in developing agency vehicle replacement criteria and was instrumental in reducing fleet by 1,600 underutilized vehicles, reducing costs by $17 million. As one of the country’s largest alternative-fueled fleets, the State has used more than 2.6 million gallons of E-85 and biodiesel fuel to date.

In a customer service survey in 2008, the majority of agency liaisons ranked the Illinois fleet entity as "Accomplished, exceeds at times," when asked for an overall rating of performance including fleet management, repair and maintenance, and fuel. Fleet also developed a calculator for best practice vehicle acquisition decision-making.

David Bragg

City of Fayetteville, Ark.

Thirty years of truck dealership and leasing company management uniquely trained David Bragg to lead municipal fleets. His fleets have won two managed competitions. Since returning to lead the Fayetteville fleet, he has achieved four years with zero staff turnover, and the fleet has been listed in the "100 Best Fleets" twice — top 10 in 2007. The dedicated staff implements innovative fleet processes and technology, earning fleet operations city-wide recognition of professionalism and trust. Supporting Fayetteville’s sustainability efforts, the fleet is 52-percent alternatively fueled, provides fuel for a University of Arkansas biodiesel study, and is at the forefront of hybrid technology.

Bill Burns

City of Columbus, Ohio

Although Bill Burns has more than 18 years of fleet management experience and has been the Columbus fleet operations manager for almost three years, he is most recently recognized for his construction management skills.

As project manager for the City’s new state-of-the-art, $27-million fleet facility, Burns almost solely spearheaded this 150,000-square-foot construction project in 2007. Under his direction, this new technologically advanced repair facility opened on-time for business in March 2008. Burns is responsible for overseeing operations for the City’s more than 6,200-vehicle and equipment fleet as well as 120 fleet employees.

The City of Columbus was recently awarded ASE Blue Seal, the only municipality in Ohio to receive such recognition. Burns has been responsible for pushing forward many of the City’s green initiatives, including implementing its first anti-idling policy and the developing and implementation of its first green fleet policy, which includes the use of biodiesel and CNG.

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Larry Campbell

City of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Larry Campbell, fleet manager for the City of Fort Wayne, Ind., understands the importance of customer service as a top priority. Communication is always open between his customers and staff to create the most efficient work environment. The team embraces and often initiates change to increase customer satisfaction.

Managing a fleet of more than 2,000 units in the year 2008 requires more skills than ever before. Campbell’s focus on change and improvement is evident in technology, purchasing, and environmental practices. He produces an atmosphere of partnership with operators, department leaders, vendors, public officials, and members of surrounding municipalities.

Don Carson

Arapahoe County, Colo.

Arapahoe County fleet manager since February 2005, Don Carson has more than 35 years of experience in fleet management. Carson believes he has changed his fleet’s entire image and acceptance. Continuous monitoring, constructive changes, positive customer service, and long-range planning have provided a results-oriented and cohesive fleet management team.

During his tenure, he has initiated a written fleet policy and procedure manual, developed methods for tracking particulate matter compliance, reduced inventory, and initiated a comprehensive training program resulting in Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal Certification.

Dave Cole

City of Glendale, Calif.

Working as the City of Glendale’s public works mechanical maintenance administrator, David Cole introduces innovative ideas to his fleet. In 2007, Cole addressed two of the City of Glendale’s biggest issues: fuel expense and employee development. The fleet department automated its fueling system at 15 sites using a Petrovend automated system. In the employee development area, Cole personally created and developed a partnership between Pasadena City College (PCC) and the City of Glendale, in which they employ three PCC students as interns.

Paul Condran

City of Culver City, Calif.

In 2007, under Equipment Maintenance Manager Paul Condran’s direction, Culver City’s fleet was selected the "7th Best Fleet in North America" for the second consecutive year (100 Best Fleets in North America program), and has also achieved certification from the State of California’s Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC).

The city’s repair facility is now a "Certified Green Model Shop," and Condran and his team developed and implemented a new Excellence in Service Program and a new fleet safety plan. The City saved an estimated $70,000 in equipment replacement through proper fleet assessments, usage, and purchase contracts in FY-06/07.

As part of the Clean Cities coalition, the City continues to be aggressive in CNG-powered equipment use. The city’s diesel fuel consumption declined 53 percent over the past three years. The division is working to expand its CNG fueling station.

Since 1998, the City has removed an estimated 150,000 tons of particulate matter , and an estimated 60,000 tons of NOx, from the atmosphere. The City has also worked with a local college to obtain a $450,000 federal grant training program for technical skills at no cost to employees.

Clive Cork

City of Coral Gables, Fla.

Clive Cork has worked in private and public fleets since 1956, and became the automotive director for the City of Coral Gables in 1987. He instituted computerized fleet and fuel management software and hardware. Cork designed reports to provide timely, accurate, cost performance data, created cost performance measurements and benchmarks, instituted effective preventive and predictive maintenance programs, and improved vehicle utilization monitoring.

The fleet has grown by 55 percent while maintenance staff was reduced by 30 percent. Cork believes in training, and most technicians have multiple ASE and Florida EVS certifications.

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Wayne Corum

City of Fort Worth, Texas

As Director of Equipment Services, Wayne Corum has built partnerships to enhance services. These partnerships include external efforts to assist a consortium of NAPA IBS users to increase service delivery. He also assisted in building a fuel purchasing consortium of 27 government entities to drive down fuel costs by $100,000. He coordinated a promotional event between the City of Fort Worth, NAPA, and CCG Systems that raised funds for United Way.

Internal department partnerships were established to transition to the FASTER fleet management system and establish vehicle acquisition teams for complex equipment purchases. Finally, two additional service centers have achieved ASE Blue Seal status.

Dan Giangardella

City of Columbus, Ohio

Now deputy safety director, Dan Giangardella has been involved in fleet operations for six years. As fleet administrator, he reduced overtime expenditures by an average of $200,000 per year, introduced performance measures that tracked an increase in mechanic productivity by nearly 17 percent, and reduced vehicle totals by nearly 400 since 2003, the latter avoiding nearly $8 million in acquisition costs and saving several hundred thousand dollars in fuel and maintenance. He also played a key role in justifying, designing, and pushing forward the construction of a new 150,000-square-foot fleet maintenance facility.

Giangardella substantially increased the number of ASE and EVT certifications, helped institute the mayor’s award-winning anti-idling policy, and wrote the city’s policy on fleet management. He promoted green initiatives such as E-85 and biodiesel, the installation of hydraulic oil and engine pre-heaters on refuse trucks, and flex-fuel vehicle purchases. Fleet management was also awarded a $79,000 grant from the Ohio EPA to purchase vehicle pre-heaters and diesel oxidation catalysts.

David Head

County of Sonoma, Calif.

The County of Sonoma has made significant changes during Dave Head’s 20-year tenure at the fleet operations division. They include standard replacement schedules and funding for light vehicles, ASE certification for technicians, a chargeback system that recovers all costs, and certified "Green Business" shops. He earned a "Best Practice Award" in 2007 for facility upgrades.

Recently, Head established patrol car setup and diesel particulate retrofits as "Core Business Practices" and developed a plan to replace all sedans with hybrid vehicles. Currently, the County’s fleet includes more than 150 hybrid vehicles. Head has targeted two new projects: green fleet policy and plug-in hybrids.

John Hoelzle

City of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

John Hoelzle is currently the director of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Parking and Fleet Services Department, managing a fleet of nearly 1,600 vehicles. A 38-year fleet management veteran, Hoelzle is a past chairman of the American Gas Association/Edison Electric Institute (AGA/EEI) national transportation committee and the Society of Automotive Engineers (S.A.E.) national utilities committee. In this last position, Hoelzle originated the utility industry’s first handbook, titled Utility Vehicle Design Handbook, originally published by S.A.E. in 1981 and again in 1991.

Hoelzle has also written and presented numerous technical papers on transportation-related subjects and chaired discussion groups at national conferences. The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Fleet Services Department, named one of the nation’s top 100 government fleets by the 100 Best Fleets program, received special recognition for its vehicle maintenance and replacement plan.

Jeffery Jeter

Spotsylvania County Schools, Va.

Jeffery Jeter has worked in the automotive industry for more than 35 years and serves as the director of fleet services for Spotsylvania County Public Schools in Virginia. As fleet director, he is responsible for acquisition, disposal, maintenance, and repair of the County’s equipment assets. Currently, Jeter oversees the consolidation and new construction of the county and school fleet maintenance facility.

While serving Chesterfield County, Va., as assistant fleet manager, his department earned the National Association of Counties Achievement Award, based on the major three automobile manufacturers’ in-house warranty centers and the Blue Seal certification from ASE.

As deputy director of fleet services for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Jeter helped implement a national fuel card and automobile rental program, installed an E-85 fuel site, implemented a maintenance software program (CCG-FASTER), and established a maintenance call center.

Jeter has served in many chapter-level positions during his 13 years as a NAFA member and is currently serving on the NAFA Board of Governors Education Development Committee and as an instructor.

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Rick Longobart

City of Inglewood, Calif.

Rick Longobart, fleet services superintendent for the City of Inglewood is responsible for implementing an automated fleet and fuel management system. That system streamlined the division’s operation by using environmentally sound business practices to decrease waste and reduce costs. Because of his leadership, the City has saved millions of dollars and received certification from the State of California for outstanding maintenance records and vehicle repairs, and from the Department of Toxic Substance for excellent environmental operations. The division has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Fleets in America.

Longobart has been instrumental in adopting programs to improve efficiency and streamline operations: seven software solutions were integrated into one program to reduce cost; The CEI Group Accident Collision Program was adopted; a Web-based motor pool reservation system was implemented; an alternative-fueling station was installed; and fleet utilization was improved through technology.

Allen Mitchell

Snohomish County, Wash.

As fleet manager of the Snohomish County Public Works Department Fleet Management Division in the state of Washington for more than 15 years, Allen Mitchell revised the equipment use policy to include green fleet policies such as use of B-20 biodiesel, hybrid gas-electric vehicles, and E-85 compatible vehicles; an idle reduction policy; GPS systems; and 110 diesel oxidation catalysts to reduce emissions.

Two of four operations merged into the County’s new 54,000-square-foot maintenance facility in April 2007, a swing shift was established for improved customer service, and materials and supplies are centrally procured for all Public Works divisions.

Mitchell partners with a dozen organizations to provide vehicle, radio, and radar maintenance services, fuel, and supplies. He has worked to maximize service and minimize cost by bar-coding parts, upgrading the county’s computer systems, and implementing an in-house warranty program. He is also putting the finishing touches on a major fuel procurement agreement.

Windell Mitchell

King County DOT, Wash.

Windell Mitchell planned and hosted the largest clean-vehicle park-and-ride conference in the U.S. He developed and implemented a model anti-idling policy, authored a Green Fleet Standards proposal, developed an automotive technician internship program with a local community college, formed the Heavy-Duty Hybrid Truck Consortium, and secured $400,000 in grants for consortium members.

Mitchell authored articles on alternative fuels, greenhouse gas mitigation strategy, and King County’s buy-back strategy for beating the high cost of off-road equipment. King County is an ASE Blue Seal recipient and is certified by Ford, GM, and Chrysler to perform warranty repairs.

Frank Morgan

City of Long Beach, Calif.

(Currently City of Fremont, Calif.)

According to Frank Morgan, to be successful at what you do, you should "L.O.V.E. your job! Listen, Observe, Visualize, and then Execute a plan to accomplish your vision." A member of the fleet industry for more than 26 years, Morgan reduced overtime usage by 19,000 hours in FY-07, and by creating "Sick Leave Bingo," he reduced sick leave abuse by more than 1,500 hours in the same year.

Most recently, the Long Beach Fleet Management operation received national recognition as an ASE Blue Seal of Excellence facility (more than 80 percent of mechanics are ASE-certified).

Warren Van Overbeke

City of Dayton, Ohio

Warren Van Overbeke has more than 15 years of experience in various fleet operations. He moved from a career with the federal government to the City of Dayton in 2004. In the beginning, Van Overbeke administered Fire Fleet Maintenance and spearheaded the vision, strategy, and execution of business operations for Dayton Emergency Vehicle Services, a City-owned apparatus repair service, before promotion to fleet manager in 2006.

Currently, he manages 48 personnel and a fleet of 2,300 vehicles in a city handicapped economically. During his tenure, he launched the revenue-generating apparatus maintenance business, procured computer applications to modernize fleet functions, improved parts procurement and tracking, enhanced employee morale, increased vehicle availability, and improved customer service.

Van Overbeke believes integrity and teamwork are key elements to ensuring superior customer service and credits his success "to the team of professionals I work with who continuously strive to improve services."

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Florencio Pena

City of San Antonio

Since May 2007, Florencio Pena, director of fleet services, has led the newly created department through a major organizational assessment of needs and strategic planning. A 27-year veteran of public administration, his efforts resulted in a strategic plan, developed with employees from all levels of the organization. The plan identified five principal visions guiding the department through various short- and long-term strategies to improve fleet acquisition, maintenance, and remarketing of 4,950 vehicles and equipment.

Under Pena’s leadership, an additional 18 technicians have obtained their ASE certification, now 67 of the total 95 technicians. The fleet has added 48 hybrid vehicles and 15 CNG refuse vehicles.

To enhance remarketing efforts, a citywide inventory of vehicles and equipment was conducted and a consultant was hired to assess the City’s approximate $25 million annual vehicle replacement program. Technology improvements resulted in a cleaner database, updated vehicle diagnostic software, and improved performance reporting. These programs, coupled with a recent creation of another second shift, are improving customer service and generating fleet maintenance cost efficiencies.

Erle Potter

State of Virginia DOT

A 37-year veteran of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Erle Potter serves as the state equipment manager. Potter oversees the implementation of programs for the acquisition, maintenance, repair, and utilization of vehicles, equipment, and ancillary services in support of VDOT divisions, districts, and other state agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Potter is a licensed professional engineer, a certified equipment manager, and graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute. He received the 2006 National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) Larry Goill Quality Fleet Management Idea Award for developing and implementing VDOT’s Equipment Repair Technician Training Program.

In 2004, he received the first-ever Fleet Masters Award as the nation’s top public sector fleet manager from the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) for developing and implementing the Business Process Improvement Plan for improving equipment management in VDOT.

Pete Scarafiotti

City of Mesa, Ariz.

The City of Mesa’s fleet of 1,800 units is the responsibility of Pete Scarafiotti, fleet director and automotive engineer. He has been a NAFA and AEMP-certified fleet director and automotive engineer for the past 31 years.

Scarafiotti’s most recent accomplishments include the institution of a formal business plan, a customer Web site with custom reporting capability, detailed performance, quality, engineering, and specification standards, and a benchmark process to maintain both a quality and cost-effective operation.

He was instrumental in developing a shop supervisor’s training program and an internal service fund to finance vehicle and equipment replacements. Scarafiotti recently received the 2008 Rocky Mountain Fleet Management Association’s Fleet Manager of the Year Award. The City of Mesa has earned the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence, the largest fleet in Arizona so awarded.

John Scharffbillig

State of Minnesota DOT

John Scharffbillig has 30 years of experience with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) and he knows what it means to move snow as an operator and to break new ground as fleet manager. His interest in research and innovation has taken him around the world to study best practices. His role as a technical advisor to a team of researchers has resulted in technology that keeps snow-plow operators safer as they do their jobs. Scharffbillig regularly shares his expertise on bio-fuels and emerging fleet management issues with state and national groups, elected officials, and association members.

As MN/DOT fleet manager, Scharffbillig is responsible for 11,250 pieces of equipment at 147 locations around the state. He serves as vice-chair of the fleet management council for the Governor’s Drive to Excellence program and is responsible for setting policy and establishing performance targets for state fleets, facilities, infrastructure, and personnel. He is vice-chair of the Governor’s SmartFleet committee, which determines the direction of future fuels.

Scharffbillig takes a leadership role in the implementation of the Maximus M5 fleet management information system statewide. He also serves on the Minnesota Plug-In Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Task Force, APWA, and FEMA Equipment Typing, as well as several other state and national fleet and public works committees and organizations.

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Dave Schiller, CAFM

Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources

Dave Schiller has been the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources (MnDNR) fleet, safety, and materials manager for seven years. Balancing key strategic values of safety, environmental responsibility, and cost containment is the primary challenge to MnDNR’s fleet excellence effort. Under Schiller’s guidance, MnDNR’s fleet has improved quality and become leaner, safer, and more productive — enabling subsequent cost reductions.

Significant recent accomplishments include eliminating all fleet debt ($500,000 annual interest savings), establishing a Tier I insurance rating ($150,000 annual savings), and reducing inventory while improving overall fleet productivity and fuel efficiency.

Gary Smith

City of Greensboro, N.C.

Gary Smith is manager of the Equipment Services Division in Greensboro, N.C. Over the past 19 years, Smith has worked to improve the overall operations of fleet management by involving others and putting their ideas to work. The City’s goals of providing quality services, establishing good internal customer relations and being proactive in environmental issues and good stewards of public funds are his primary focus. Smith was recognized as the American Public Works Association (APWA) Professional Manager of the Year for 2006 and City of Greensboro Manager of the Year for 2005.

Douglas Weichman, CAFM

Palm Beach County, Fla.

Director of Fleet Management for Palm Beach County since 1990, 27-year veteran Douglas Weichman has held numerous private sector fleet positions. His current achievements include the development of an internship program, receipt of a Tier I fuel contract, vehicle replacement fund expansion, increased use of biodiesel/ethanol, expansion to 199 hybrids in fleet, and the completion of a new 125,000-square-foot administration/repair facility. His fleet earned a vocational fleet of the year award.

Vartan Yegiyan

Los Angeles World Airports (LAX)

Vartan Yegiyan has more than 27 years of experience in the transportation equipment maintenance industry. Yegiyan opened LAX’s police motorcycle facility, established a material and contract management policy, instituted a maintenance and repair program, and developed a personnel training program.

He upgraded the FASTER system to include the newest version with graphics and parts management enhancements. Additionally, he developed parts management and work order process instruction manuals, a critical procedural guide to the fleet’s business plan, overall shop operation, and competitive strategic management.

Parts room operation and material management was initiated to be tracked by the FASTER program. A motor pool program was installed to manage and automate record keeping, linked to FASTER. He also met 2007 CARB’s On Road Public Fleet requirement to complete best available control technology (BACT) installation.

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