Martha Kobliska, branch chief/fleet manager, Fleet and Transportation Services, Transportation Services Agency (TSA), announced she will retire May 31 after 36 years of service in the federal government. Barbara Lockhart, senior fleet specialist, will be appointed the acting branch chief/fleet manager for TSA until a permanent selection has been made, according to Kobliska.

Although Kobliska will retire effective May 31, her last day in the office will be May 17. Kobliska’s husband Lynn passed away April 8 after a two-week illness, prompting her early retirement.

Kobliska first began her career in fleet in the U.S. Secret Service as a rotational fleet manager. She became the first full-time fleet manager for the agency. During her time at the U.S. Secret Service, she helped formed the National Capital Area Chapter of the NAFA Fleet Management Association and served as the first president. She was also one of the “founding fathers” of FedFleet/FedForum and has been part of the annual workshop planning committee since its inception.

After working at the U.S. Marshals Services, Kobliska joined the TSA as its fleet manager in 2005, when TSA was still in the infancy stage as a Federal Agency.

“In the eight years as fleet manager, I have seen the Fleet and Transportation Branch mature into a true team of individuals who support each other,” she said. “The fleet has grown significantly and is now managed under a unified property/fleet/financial system that is user friendly, policies and procedures have been established, and there is cohesion with all program offices.  The accountability levels have improved to the point that the fleet is now managed rather than simply maintained.”

Kobliska was nominated for the 2013 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year award.

Kobliska and her husband worked together for 18 years at the U.S. Marshals Service. “We were always together as a team and have traveled extensively over the years, most recently to Tobago and Peru.  I plan to continue to travel but will miss my ‘travel buddy.’ I still have plans to go to Kenya next year,” Kobliska said. “On the home front, I am currently an adult literacy tutor and will increase my tutoring hours.”

By Thi Dao