The City of Mesa, Ariz., Fleet Services Department was named the No. 1 fleet among the Leading Fleets at the Government Fleet Expo and Conference (GFX) today.

The operation was chosen the overall No. 1 fleet for showing leadership in various situations, including within the staff, with customers and within the community; staying efficient and competitive; overcoming challenges; and having a vision and direction for the fleet.

Pete Scarafiotti, CAFM, CEM, CPFP, fleet director and automotive engineer, accepted the award on behalf of the department. Scarafiotti offered thanks and shared his operating philosophy.

"Our dedication to our customers, our staff, and our taxpayers remain very important," he said.

Judges John Hunt and Sam Lamerato, as well as Government Fleet staff and award sponsors, were on stage to congratulate the fleet. The award is sponsored by Ford Motor Company and Property Room.

Government Fleet also named the No. 1 fleets in size categories — the No. 1 small fleet (499 or fewer assets) is the City of Ventura, Calif., with 392 vehicles, and No. 1 mid-size fleet (500-999 assets) is the City of Santa Ana, Calif., with 631 units.

The rankings for the top 20 fleets (including ties) are:

1. City of Mesa, Ariz., Fleet Services Department
2. City of Boise, Idaho, Fleet Services
3. City of Santa Ana, Calif.
4. County of San Diego, Calif.
5. City of Rochester, NY, Equipment Services
6. County of San Bernardino, Calif.
7. City of Sacramento, Calif.
8. Manatee County (Fla.) Board of County Commissioners
9. New York City Police Department, Fleet Services Division
9. City of Fort Worth, Texas
11. City of Columbus, Ohio, Fleet Management
11. City of Ventura, Calif.
13. City of Roseville, Calif.
14. City of Milwaukee, Wis.
14. Sarasota County Government, Fla.
16. Eugene Water & Electric Board, Ore.
17. Alameda County, Calif.
18. City of Moline, Ill.
19. City of Fort Wayne, Ind.
19. NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The remaining Leading Fleets awards recipients, in alphabetical order, are:

City of Anaheim, Calif.
City of Bellevue, Wash.
City of Boston Central Fleet Management (CFM)
City of Durham (N.C.) Fleet Management
City of Fargo, N.D.
City of Fayetteville, Ark., Fleet Operations
City of Houston Fleet Management Department
City of Huntington Beach, Calif.
City of Lakeland, Florida, Fleet Management
City of Little Rock, Ark., Fleet Services
City of Orange, Calif.
City of Orlando Fleet & Facilities Management
City of Phoenix, Ariz.
City of Riverside, Calif.
City of Roanoke, Va.
City of Tacoma, Wash.
City of Tampa (Fla.) Fleet Maintenance Division
City of Tempe, Ariz.
City of Tulsa, Okla., Asset Management Department
County of Riverside, Calif., Purchasing & Fleet Services
County of Sonoma (Calif.) Fleet Operations
Dakota County (Minn.) Fleet Management
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Ill.
Houston Independent School District
Indianapolis Fleet Services
Lee County (Fla.) Fleet Management
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Tacoma Public Utilities, Wash.
Vehicle and Travel Services (VTS), State of Michigan
Washington State Department of Transportation