Related Content: Get to Know the 2018 Public Fleet Hall of Fame Inductee
After nearly 20 years in government fleet management, Dan Berlenbach, CPFP, has retired as the Long Beach, California, fleet services manager. He joined the city in 2014.

Dan Berlenbach, CPFP, worked as the fleet services manager for Long Beach, California, since 2014.
Photo: Government Fleet
After nearly 20 years in government fleet management and more than 40 years in fleet combined, Dan Berlenbach, CPFP, has retired as the Long Beach, California, fleet services manager. He joined the city of Long Beach in 2014.
Berlenbach began his fleet career in 1975 with the U.S. Air Force. He spent 29 years on active duty, starting as a heavy equipment mechanic and going on to manage a variety of fleets worldwide. He previously worked for the city of Phoenix, Arizona; and the city of Oxnard, California.
Berlenbach was named the 2019 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year and was inducted into the Public Fleet Hall of Fame in 2018. He was later presented with the Legendary Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Government Fleet Expo and Conference (GFX) in Dallas.
"Nobody gets here by themselves...Thanks to the folks I work with, and my foundations in the U.S. Air Force. They taught me to be a mechanic. They helped me grow up. And I refined those skills thanks to those that I've been privileged to work with," Berlenbach said during his acceptance speech at the GFX Honors Celebration.
Revist Berlenbach's 2019 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year win and how perfecting the basics, embracing innovation, and focusing on people helped him get there.
“We focus on people because they make the mission happen...the vehicles are the tools; the people are the priority"... KEEP READING

Fleet decisions rarely stay inside the garage. From funding pressure to emissions planning, Tim Coxwell explains what it takes to keep a sheriff’s office fleet moving while planning for what comes next.
Read More →
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this look back explores how government fleets evolved from horse-drawn wagons to specialized vehicles that keep communities running today.
Read More →
Public fleet work has changed dramatically, but the core responsibility remains the same: keeping communities moving.
Read More →
Catch up on the past month, whether you're interested in GFX news or Government Fleets' go-to articles for your operation.
Read More →
Vehicle replacement decisions affect every aspect of fleet performance, from operating costs to asset availability. This guide explores how fleet leaders use integrated data, benchmarking, and lifecycle analytics to determine the right fleet size and optimize replacement timing with greater confidence.
Read More →
A perspective on the future of fleet management, the lessons learned about building strong teams in the public sector, and how to carry forward the department’s strategic direction.
Read More →
In this episode, we put the spotlight on the professional journey of Erinn DeJonge, CAFM, who brings a wealth of experience to her role as the fleet business operations manager at Sarasota County Government.
Read More →
FleetGap is working to build the missing bridge between service members preparing for civilian careers and fleet employers facing workforce shortages.
Read More →
Public sector fleets are using connected technology to improve visibility, but the bigger challenge is building the processes to act on the information it provides.
Read More →
New capabilities aim to help public-sector and public works fleets streamline fuel tax exemptions, reclamation, reconciliation, and audit-ready reporting.
Read More →