Mark Kostos, fleet shop supervisor for Charleston County (S.C.) and vice president of the Southeast Governmental Fleet Management Association (SGFMA), passed away unexpectedly on March 20. He was 55.

Kostos was born and raised in Chicago. He attended Lincoln Technical Institute and graduated with a degree in Automotive and Diesel Technology. Kostos has been in the automotive industry for more than 37 years, working as a technician at Firestone and Toyota before joining the county fleet, where he worked for 21 years. He was an ASE-certified Master technician and led his fleet to obtain the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence as well as becoming a Certified Fleet Management Operation.

Kostos had been an SGFMA member since 1996. In addition to serving as its vice president, he had been serving as Information and Publicity Chair since 2013.

“Mark was a very honest, trustworthy, professional, hardworking and Christian  family man, [a] Charleston County employee, SGFMA Board Member, VP, and to many, a great friend,” SGFMA President Garland Veasey wrote in an announcement about Kostos' passing.

He is survived by his wife, two children, two stepchildren, and two siblings.

Kostos’ funeral service will be held on March 25.