Mercury Associates, Inc. has announced the revival of the Certified Fleet Management Organization (CFMO) Program, a third-party certification system aimed at evaluating and improving public and private sector fleet operations.

Originally developed in the early 2000s by James Wright, then-president and CEO of Fleet Counsellor Services, the program had been dormant since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Wright’s retirement. Mercury acquired the rights and framework for the program in early 2025.

The updated CFMO program relaunched at the 2025 Government Fleet Expo & Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, in partnership with Government Fleet magazine and the GFX conference team.

"Mercury continues to finalize the operational structure of the revamped CFMO program and looks forward to its public launch in the near future," according to a Mercury Associates rep. 

A Data-Driven Approach to Certification

The CFMO program uses a self-audit process that allows fleet managers and staff to objectively measure their operation’s efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness. Mercury is currently reviewing and updating more than 100 certification criteria across 14 critical fleet management areas to reflect current best practices.

Each question and category will require the user to upload their data to support their claims, which will be validated in the review process.

Eight foundational categories form the core of the certification:

• Staffing and productivity.

• Fleet policy and procedures documentation.

• Parts inventory management.

• Replacement policy and financial program.

• Fleet utilization management.

• Preventive maintenance.

• Information and technology management.

• Customer service and support.

Organizations that meet all CFMO standards will be recognized as having met or exceeded the Mission Critical Factors of Fleet Management. Those who receive the CFMO certification will be announced during GFX 2026.

Founder Reflects on the Program’s Origins and Impact

Wright, the program’s original architect, shared reflections on its development and evolution. He said the idea emerged from internal tools used during consulting engagements, which gained attention for their structured, data-focused approach to fleet analysis.

One turning point, he said, occurred during an evaluation with Salt Lake County’s fleet manager, who expressed interest in purchasing the methodology after seeing it in use. This feedback, Wright explained, prompted him to formalize the system into a replicable certification program.

Over the course of two decades, the CFMO program was adopted by fleets of all sizes. Lee County, Florida, was the first to be certified; Miami-Dade County was the last before the program paused. Other major clients included Caltrans, the City of Chicago, and the City and County of Denver, where reported savings topped $15 million.

Program Modernized for the Digital Era and a Continued Legacy

Wright’s son, Rob Wright, helped modernize the program, transitioning its delivery from CDs to a cloud-based platform. This shift allowed for broader access and more streamlined updates. Wright credited his son’s contributions with ensuring the program’s technological relevance.

Following his retirement, Wright said he sought a successor who could carry on the program’s work. Mercury’s interest and commitment to relaunching the CFMO initiative, he added, brought him confidence in the program’s continued value.

Wright expressed pride in the program’s legacy, stating that it has elevated the fleet profession by providing a standard for performance and accountability.

“I hope my contributions have helped bring recognition to the importance of sound fleet management,” Wright said.