The 2012-2013 Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) graduating class is shaping up to be one of the biggest in fleet history. Twenty-eight fleet professionals have already earned their CAFM certification during the first half of the year – nearly as many as were certified in all of 2011-2012. 

“Fleet management is an ever-changing field that requires professionals to stay on top of federal legislation changes, new technologies, alternative fuels, and growing safety concerns,” said NAFA’s Executive Director Phillip Russo, CAE. “For over twenty years, NAFA’s CAFM program has been regarded as the industry standard for fleet management. With more than 500 fleet professionals currently in the program, it’s clear that the industry recognizes the need for well-educated fleet professionals.

To become certified, an applicant must pass a series of comprehensive examinations in the eight disciplines of automotive fleet management: Fleet Information Management, Maintenance Management, Professional Development, Vehicle Fuel Management, Asset Management, Business Management, Financial Management, and Risk Management.  

Of the 28 graduates, 17 work in the public sector:

1) Nancy Bean, CAFM
Fleet Manager
City of Redmond (WA)

2) Jesse Beeks, CAFM
Fleet Operations Supervisor
City of Fayetteville Fleet Operations (AR)

3) Cheri Carter, CAFM
Fleet Analyst
City of Abilene (TX)

4) Rick Haggard, CAFM
Fleet Project Manager
City of Seattle, Seattle City Light

5) Nina Hoffert, CAFM
Fleet Manager
City of Lakewood (CO)

6) Gary Lowe, CAFM
Fleet Administrator
City of Tucson (AZ)

Lowe has 34 years of experience within fleet management with the City of Tucson Fleet Services and 20 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve Seabees. He is responsible for the planning, organizing, and managing of division activities for a 2,600 vehicle fleet that has 96 staff members. Lowe is responsible for a $26 million ISF budget that includes a centralized full-service vehicle maintenance operation and seven fuel sites.

7)Joseph Luxem, CAFM
Automotive Maintenance Crew Chief
City of Seattle Fleet & Facilities Department

8) Merle McCullough, CAFM
Fleet Manager
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City (KS)

9) Richard Panneton, CAFM
National Manager, Land Fleet
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Panneton has 25 years of experience within fleet management and says he pursued his CAFM designation to gain further fleet knowledge to enhance the processes within the Federal Fleet and to better serve Canada. He manages the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Land Fleet national moveable investment program and strategic five-year planning and projects with respect to departmental investments in moveable assets, including 11,000 vehicles operated throughout Canada.

10) Daniel Reichel, CAFM
Fleet Manager
State of Washington Department of Natural Resources

11) Kevin Schlangen, CAFM
Fleet Manager
Dakota County

12) Sydney Sexton, CAFM
Assistant Director
Harris County Fleet Services

13) Scott Simonton, CAFM
Fleet Services Manager
City of Wilsonville (OR)

14) Richard Sweepe, CAFM
Equipment Management Superintendent
City of Goodyear (AZ)

15) Jack Tolmich, CAFM
Fleet Operations Administrator
Denver Water Dept.

16)Michael Webster, CAFM
Manager of Fleet Services
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Webster has more than 15 years of experience in fleet management and has had his fleets named on the prestigious 100 Best Fleets list four straight years for two different agencies. He currently manages a fleet consisting of 1,400 pieces of equipment.

17) Amanda Wilson, CAFM
Fleet Manager
Indiana University

Wilson has 13 years of experience in fleet management and currently manages a daily rental fleet, overseeing the accounting for the university’s fleet of approximately 400 vehicles. She said her motivation for pursuing a CAFM designation came from a desire to move forward in a managerial role and to gain recognition for the skillset she has acquired through her years in fleet.