GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Top 10 Fleet Operations Stories of 2023

The year's top articles focusing on fleet operations featured ways fleet managers are overcoming challenges and innovative approaches they are taking with their teams.

Christy Grimes
Christy GrimesFormer Senior Editor
December 29, 2023
Top 10 Fleet Operations Stories of 2023

Government Fleet's top 10 articles on fleet operations show public sector fleet managers want to hear from other fleet professionals in the industry, and find ways to navigate challenges within their operations.

Photo: Canva/Government Fleet

3 min to read


2023 may be over, but we want to take a moment to look in the rearview mirror at some of this year's top articles focused on public sector fleet operations before we kick off 2024.

Here is a list of the top 10 articles on fleet operations for this year (as of Dec. 22).

Ad Loading...

1. Driving Change: Women Leading the Way in Fleet Management Careers

Over the last several years, there has been a noticable increase in the number of women in public sector fleets — particularly in management roles.

Read about two women who have climbed up the fleet management ladder.

2. Leading Ideas from a Leading Fleet

There are several things that stand out about the fleet department for the city of Raleigh, North Carolina: camaraderie, passion for the industry, and good leadership. This is what made them stand out for the 2023 Government Fleet Leading Fleets award.

Ad Loading...

Learn why a perspective shift helped this team make it to the top.

3. Innovation and Sustainability in Action with the 2023 No. 1 Leading Small Fleet

Another fleet that took home honors from Government Fleet in 2023 was the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Illinois. This team was named the No. 1 Leading Small Fleet. Though this fleet is considered small, their operations are mighty.

Read about some of the innovative programs the fleet team is working on.

4. Navigating Lesser-Mentioned Challenges as a New Fleet Manager

Ad Loading...

For new fleet managers, the task at hand can seem daunting. And new challenges seem to arise every day.

Read about challenges you might face within your operations so you're prepared to take them on.

5. Lessons Learned from 2023 Award Winner, Sara Burnam

Sara Burnam, MSL, CAFM, has seen a lot in her days working in fleet. From working at a Goodyear Auto Service Center, to taking on the role of assistant fleet manager for the Ohio State Highway Patrol, to leading the Palm Beach County fleet in Florida.

Learn more about Burnam's time in fleet, challenges she has overcome, and advice she has for other women in fleet.

Ad Loading...

6. Identifying New Opportunities in Fleet: Q&A with Craig Willingham

Despite stepping away from his role as fleet manager, Craig Willingham is still lending support in fleet's operations as Assistant Director of General Services for Chesterfield County, Virginia.

Read about Willingham's new role, plus his reflecting on his time as fleet manager.

7. How to Make the Most of an Old Fleet Facility

Public sector fleet managers are often tasked with working out of older buildings. While they may be dealing with aging facilities and infrastructures, there are still ways they can improve their workspace.

Ad Loading...

Read how an Alabama fleet manager made changes to his fleet facility to improve efficiency and increase sustainability.

8. From Aircraft Maintenance to Virginia Fleet Manager with George Hrichak

In August, George Hrichak, CEM, CPFP, MSM, closed down the fleet garage for the city of Chesapeake, Virginia, for the last time. Over his two-plus decades working for Chesapeake, Hrichak led a heap of successful initiatives to improve the operations.

Read about Hrichak's time in fleet, how the Army influenced his career, and his advice for new leaders.

9. Larry Campbell Retires After Decades in Public Fleet

Ad Loading...

With nearly five decades of fleet work, it's safe to say Larry Campbell, CPFP, has loads of wisdom about the industry.

Read Campbell's advice for fleet managers, ways he's improved Fort Wayne, Indiana's fleet operations, and ways Campbells has been recognized for his work over the years.

10. Sacramento County’s Keith Leech to Retire, Looks Back on Career

Keith Leech has helped move the city of Sacramento's fleet operations forward. As he retires, he's reflecting on his career in fleet.

Read about ways Leech has seen the industry evolve during his time in fleet management, plus the surprising way he stepped into the industry.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Operations

A graphic of an auto shop and cheat sheet text.
Operations•October 2, 2026

Could Your Next Fleet Technician Start as an Intern?

What if your next technician hasn’t worked in a fleet shop yet? What fleets are doing to free up time.

Read More →
A youtube graphic with a collage fleet images.
Operations•October 2, 2026

What’s Slowing Your Fleet Down?

Could a change in how work gets done help your fleet return vehicles to service sooner?

Read More →
A story graphic with data and cars.
Operations•by Nichole Osinski•October 1, 2026

Can Public Fleets Trust the Data Driving Their Decisions?

Public fleets have more data than ever, but inconsistent records and missing information can still undermine maintenance, replacement, and cost decisions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a technician working with a text overlay that says Building Talent From Within
Operations•by Jeanny Abraham•September 29, 2026

How Phoenix Is Building Its Next Generation of Fleet Technicians

With more than 8,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment to maintain, the City of Phoenix could not afford to wait for fully trained technicians to walk through the door. Instead, they revamped their entire workforce strategy and showed how public fleets can create their own talent pipeline while preparing existing employees for increasingly complex vehicles.

Read More →
John Deere 40 P-Tier Compact Excavator
Operations•September 28, 2026

John Deere Introduces 40 P-Tier Compact Excavator

John Deere is adding a compact excavator designed for crews that need to move equipment between jobsites and handle multiple types of work with one machine. The 40 P-Tier weighs less than 10,000 pounds and offers configurable hydraulics, attachment options, and connected fleet-management capabilities.

Read More →
A cheat sheet thumbnail with images of a checklist and fleet image.
Operations•September 25, 2026

How Leading Fleets Improve and Why Business Plans Matter

This week, we look at what past Leading Fleet winners can teach us about making progress, plus how to build a business plan your fleet will actually use.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
hall of fame logo with award
Operations•by Staff Writer•September 25, 2026

Nominate a Fleet Leader for the 2027 Public Fleet Hall of Fame

Do you know a fleet leader who has made a lasting impact on the industry? Nominate this fleet professional for the 2027 Public Fleet Hall of Fame.

Read More →
A youtube graphic with fleet images.
Operations•September 23, 2026

Why Fleet Business Plans Need Three Perspectives

A fleet business plan should help agency leaders understand the fleet’s value, give the organization a clear direction, and establish shared expectations with customer departments.

Read More →
A graphic with a checklist and cars.
Operations•September 18, 2026

How Oil Analysis, Safety Technology, and Fleet Awards Drive Improvement

What happens when fleets let measured results guide their next decision?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a youtube thumbnail showing mechanics and the text cheat sheet.
Operations•September 11, 2026

Emergency Response, Fleet Sales and New Technology

This week’s fleet news covers emergency preparedness, shifting vehicle sales, electric truck investments, and new tools for monitoring road conditions.

Read More →