EVERETT, WA – Snohomish County, Wash.’s Fleet Manager Allen Mitchell has accepted a new position as the equipment bureau chief for Arlington County, Va.

Mitchell worked with Snohomish County for 19 years as its fleet manager. While working in that role, he managed all aspects of the County’s fleet, serving county departments and 15 external agencies. He will retire from that role, effective Dec. 15, 2011.

Snohomish County has a fleet of 2,264 items of equipment valued at $52 million. Fleet Services has 49 staff at three locations and an annual budget of $27.5 million.

Some of Mitchell’s most memorable achievements while working with Snohomish County including attracting and retaining top-tier professional staff, replacing three fleet maintenance facilities while incurring only minimal debt, and fostering a sustainable fleet by authoring and implementing a green fleet plan. Mitchell also developed a number of interlocal agreements, including cities, tribes, districts, and area maintenance for Washington State General Administration.

“So far, being Snohomish County fleet manager has been the best job in my career,” Mitchell said.

When asked about his new role, he said he’s looking forward to facing new challenges.

“I understand they have very professional fleet staff that I hope to mentor, to provide outstanding fleet customer service, and to implement fleet sustainability initiatives and best management practices,” Mitchell said.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles.

Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world, including the Pentagon, Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.

A 39-Year career in Fleet

Mitchell began his career in with the U.S. Army. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Ordinance Corps from the Engineer Officer Candidate School in Ft. Belvoir, Va. After graduating, he attended ordinance basic training, which included an introduction to equipment maintenance in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. After that, Mitchell took the Supply Management Officer course at Ft. Lee, Va. and served 4 years in the Army in maintenance management of vehicles and other equipment.

After the Army, he attended graduate school at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., and received a Master of Education Degree in Adult Education Administration. During his last year of classes, he worked full-time in Seattle as a motor pool supervisor with the State of Washington Department of General Administration. He stayed in that position for two-and-a-half years and then served 9 months as an intern in budget and management analysis with the State of Washington.

While an intern, Mitchell acted as a consultant for Rainier Bank writing fleet policies and was hired as Transportation Services Manager for the regional corporation. He spent nine years in that role. Next, King County, Wash, hired him as the Equipment Supervisor. He spent five-and-a-half years managing the heavy truck and equipment shop in Renton, Wash. That fleet consisted of approximately 550 equipment assets and 25 staff.

From there, Mitchell moved to his position as fleet manager for Snohomish County.

By Greg Basich