After a little over a year, Charleston County, S.C. has earned its Certified Fleet Management Operation (CFMO) certification from the Government Fleet Management Alliance (GFMA).

Bob Gannon, fleet operations director, was in search of a certification program after Charleston County’s administrator Kurt Taylor challenged the fleet to seek certification, and Gannon chose CFMO.

Gannon has been working within the fleet realm for 22 years and has been with Charleston County for 36 years. Despite his experience, Gannon says the certification process made him aware of how dynamic fleet operations are.

“When you go back and review all your policies it lets you know that you need to stay on top of it,” said Gannon. “The certification process is one of the greatest key performance indicators because it makes you evaluate and quantify your operations from top down. Things change so rapidly in fleet.”

Out of the eight core categories fleet managers’ review, Gannon saw the biggest improvement in the County’s fleet preventive maintenance program.

Before Charleston started the process its PM program was at 74% compliance. Currently, PM compliance is at 95%, and has remained at this level for the last seven months. Another area of improvement came from its fleet availability. Gannon says the fleet jumped from 92.5% to 95.6% in fleet availability.

However, Gannon realizes that it wasn't a single-handed effort. “I’m very lucky that my staff is so resolution-oriented," Gannon said. "They welcome change and challenges.” He specifically attributes the fleet's quick accreditation  his Assistant Director M.L. Garrett. 

Charleston County Fleet Operations also became ASE Blue Seal certified, making it the only governmental entity in South Carolina with both certifications. 

Charleston County fleet consists of 1808 vehicles, mainly over the road equipment. Charleston County will be recognized at the Government Fleet Expo and Conference in June. There are 22 agencies that have earned their CFMO certification.

By Becky May