2023 Fleet Forward Conference Announces Opening Keynote

Emissions regulations, decarbonization targets, supply chain disruptions, technician shortages. Yes, the pressures seem to be compounding, but fleets are introducing numerous new systems, processes, and technologies to address these issues!

This opening keynote panel for 2023 Fleet Forward Conference comprises leaders from diverse sectors of fleet who will engage these issues in a familiar business format, a S.W.O.T. analysis. Instead of using the framework to evaluate a company’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, they’ll do it for the fleet industry as a whole.

The panelists are: Mike Hauge, fleet manager at Ecolab, Jeff Schuchardt, vice president of Information Technology (IT) for Enterprise Fleet Management, Charlotte Argue, sr. manager of sustainable mobility at Geotab, and Randy Marion, one of the largest fleet and franchise dealership groups in the country.

“This panel of rockstars will bring perspectives from the dealer, fleet management company, technology, and fleet manager sides of fleet,” said Chris Brown, conference chair. “They’ll share their approaches to make our fleets more efficient, safer, and sustainable. Together, we’ll find ways to bring our fleets forward!”

SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a framework used to evaluate a  company's competitive position  and to develop strategic planning. SWOT analysis assesses internal and external factors, as well as current and future potential.

A SWOT analysis is designed to facilitate a realistic, fact-based, data-driven look at the strengths and weaknesses of an organization, initiatives, or within its industry. The organization needs to keep the analysis accurate by avoiding pre-conceived beliefs or gray areas and instead focusing on real-life contexts. Companies should use it as a guide and not necessarily as a prescription.

The Keynote Panelists

Marion is founder and president of 13 automobile franchise dealerships in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Jacksonville, Fla. One of the largest fleet and volume General Motors dealers in the country, Marion is an active member of the automotive industry, serving as past chairman of the GM National Dealer Council and various dealer’s associations.

Marion recently struck a deal to sell electric vehicles from independent OEM Mullen Automotive.

Argue is a subject matter expert in fleet electrification and a champion for connected vehicle technology solutions in the EV industry.

Argue has been involved in electric transportation since 2009. Before joining Geotab she managed the Plug In BC initiative in British Columbia, delivering EV programs for fleets, charging infrastructure and public awareness. She currently sits on the board of NACFE (North American Council for Freight Efficiency).

Schuchardt is responsible for overseeing a team of more than 350 employees where he has led and been involved with the rollouts of a fleet replacement and total cost of ownership tool, aftermarket, and logistics program, and client-owned vehicle enhancement.

Schuchardt began his career with Enterprise in 1988. He was promoted to assistant vice president of IT in 1999 and was named to his current role of vice president in 2017.

Hauge leads commercial strategy and operations for 11,000+ light and medium duty vehicles used by the company’s U.S. sales and service associates. Mike’s recent focus has been on developing strategies to support Ecolab’s decarbonization goals, including fully electrifying its sales and service fleet by 2030. 

He is a passionate supply chain leader with a background in logistics, procurement, and fleet management.

About Fleet Forward Conference

Now in its sixth year, Fleet Forward Conference (FFC) is designed to deliver fleets solutions on electrification, connected vehicles, autonomous technology, last-mile and shared mobility, next-generation telematics, and more.

The conference is also combined with the Fleet Safety Conference, designed specifically for fleet, risk, and safety professionals with the goal to reduce driver distraction, limit fleet liability, and enhance safety culture overall. 

As part of a  combined agenda, attendees will pay one registration fee   to access both events. 

The 2023 FFC agenda also includes a ride and drive for attendees to experience new electric vehicles, mingle with product experts, and experience new technologies behind the wheel in a larger outdoor interactive space.

Registration for the combined Fleet Forward and Fleet Safety Conferences is open now.