Applications for the Leading Fleets award are now open.The award, open to government fleets, recognizes operations that are performing at a high level in fleet innovation and leadership. The award is sponsored by Ford Motor Company, and applications are due March 13.

Each year, Government Fleet magazine names 50 Leading Fleets, with the top 20 being ranked. Additionally, there will be winners for No. 1 overall fleet, No. 1 small fleet (499 or fewer assets), No. 1 mid-size fleet (500-999 assets), and No. 1 large fleet (1,000 or more assets).

The judges for this award are managers of No. 1 ranked fleets (awarded by Government Fleet) or who have been inducted into the Public Fleet Hall of Fame. This year’s judges include: Paul Condran, fleet services manager, City of Culver City, Calif.; John Hunt, CPFP, fleet manager, City of Portland, Ore.; John McCorkhill, CFM, CAFM, CEM, CPFP, director of fleet services, City of Lynchburg, Va.; and Pete Scarafiotti, CAFM, CEM, CPFP, fleet services director and automotive engineer, City of Mesa, Ariz.

Criteria for the award will include:

• How an operation prioritizes and exhibits leadership within their team, with customers, within their community and within the overall fleet community.

• How an operation ensures competitiveness and efficiency.

• The future vision of the operation and leadership steps taken to get there.

• How an operation addresses and overcomes its biggest challenges.

The recipients of these new awards, the Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year award, and the Legendary Lifetime Achievement Award will be announced at the Government Fleet Expo & Conference during The Honors Celebration on June 10. The event will also honor the new inductees of the Public Fleet Hall of Fame. Winners will be featured in Government Fleet magazine's special awards issue in July.

To apply, click here.