Fleet Leaders Honored at the 2023 AFLA Conference

Several awards were presented at the 2023 Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association meeting in Palm Springs, California, recognizing the best-of-the-best in fleet management.

From the latest inductees to the Fleet Hall of Fame to the Professional Fleet Manager of the Year and Fleet Visionary of the Year, find out who the big winners are this year!

Fleet Hall of Fame Inducts 3 New Members

Three new Fleet Hall of Fame inductees were announced at the recent Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association (AFLA) annual conference in Palm Springs, Calif.

Hall of Fame inductees are recognized and applauded for the “indelible mark each has made within the commercial fleet management profession,” according to AFLA, the exclusive sponsor of the Hall of Fame award.

Industry leaders and pioneers all have more than 10 years of fleet experience. Their peers select them through an online voting process.

Fleet Hall of Fame Inductees are:

• Sherry Calkins: An experienced fleet professional who has overseen all aspects of fleet operations, Calkins reduced crashes by implementing a driver training program and mentors many fleet professionals to support women in fleet.
• Ed Peper: After holding 17 positions in nearly four decades, Peper retired from General Motors. He was instrumental in creating GM's new business-to-business brand, GM Envolve, and had excellent relationships with dealers, customers, and GM internals.
• John Ruppert: During his successful career with Ford Motor Company, Ruppert played a key role in reshaping the commercial fleet market and oversaw the return of Ford medium-duty truck manufacturing to the U.S. He is known for his leadership and relationship-building skills. After retiring from Ford, he joined Adrian Steel as the director of new business development.

Professional Fleet Manager of the Year for 2023

For 2023, the Professional Fleet Manager of the Year winner is Kimberly Fisher, Director, Global Fleet & Travel Services, NOV.

The Professional Fleet Manager of the Year award, sponsored by Wheels, recognizes a proficient fleet manager who has demonstrated special business acumen in developing and executing key management policies in all areas.

With over 20 years of experience in the fleet industry and over 10 years with National Oilwell Varco, Fisher manages the company's global fleet and travel programs. She is known for her flexibility and agility to adjust to the company's changing needs, which is essential to her department's success.

Fisher and her team saved $2 million by 2024 by implementing the concept of cycling service bodies onto a new chassis, a change-management process for her field. Fisher is also active in industry events and has received the 2021 Global Fleet Visionary Award.

Fleet Visionary of the Year for 2023

For 2023, the Fleet Visionary of the Year is Eric McCann, director of fleet operations, at Bimbo Bakeries.

The Fleet Visionary Award celebrates new voices in fleet management — industry leaders bringing a new perspective to running a commercial fleet, resulting in a more efficient, cost-effective, safer fleet operation by introducing new methods, efficiencies, and/or technologies. Merchants Fleet sponsors the award.

McCann leads Bimbo Bakeries USA's fleet sustainability initiatives, managing over 60 commercial vehicles. He introduced Motiv's all-electric medium-duty fleet chassis in 2019, resulting in an impressive 95% uptime.

McCann has electrified at least four of Bimbo's fleet depots and recently launched a 30-vehicle EV depot in Anaheim, California, thanks to incentive funding. His expertise in fleet electrification has made him a go-to resource for advice and direction.