Testimonials on
the "The 100 Best Fleets" Program

Tom...what
the 100 Best meant not only to me but to the entire City of
Cedar Rapids...
As you are aware the City of Cedar Rapids experienced a
disaster of epic proportion with the floods of June 2008. Our
river crested at twice the flood stage or 32.5 feet. My fleet
organization had only been in operation since January of 2008 as
part of a city-wide reorganization. Being the first ever fleet
manager for the city I had a lot to prove, but once we got
things rolling the flood hit literally wiping out everything we
had done so far. We lost all of our vehicle history files, our
computers, our garages, etc.
It was with some level of seeing the 100 Best as a bright
spot in a very dismal and extremely difficult time for us that
we decided to put our names into the ring. Exactly one year
later, to the day, at one of our quarterly management sponsored
cook outs, I was able to stand in front of the Senior leadership
of our city, and my entire staff and hand each of them a copy of
our certificate. This no doubt brought back the momentum and
drive that we had before the flood. We had survived the worst we
could possibly see and came out of it with a bright spot and a
truly significant award for my staff, and the entire City of
Cedar Rapids.
One week later we received a recognition proclamation from
our City Council.
What
you do for the public sector fleet management profession cannot
be measured and cannot be matched, you provide a resource for us
and a form of recognition that I can tell you positively impacts
everyone involved.
Dennis Hogan; Fleet
Manager; Cedar Rapids, IA
I am proud that our Fleet
Management Division continues to be recognized as one of the
most advanced and efficient fleets in the nation.
Congratulations to Kelly Reagan and the entire division for what
they do to improve our vehicles and equipment, save taxpayer
dollars and make Columbus a greener city.
Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus, OH
The cost of submission:
nothing. The benefit to your organization: priceless.
Marilyn L. Rawlings;
Fleet Manager Lee County Fleet Management; Fort Myers, FL
For Eagle County Fleet Services being recognized as a top 100 Best
Fleets brought the morale of our staff up.
It shows staff that they are recognized for all there hard work and
dedication for being part of the Fleet industry.
Thanks so much for the honor of being recognized
as a top 100 fleet.
Gusty Kanakis;
Fleet Manager Eagle County; Gypsum CO
Being recognized as one of the
100 Best government fleets in North America, has allowed us to
gain recognition, respect and credibility, not only with our
board of County Commissioners, but has also increased the
confidence of our customers in showing we are just as good, if
not better than shops in the public sector. This award has also
evidently brought national attention to our fleet, as I receive
calls from other fleet manager seeking assistance or asking
questions on how we do business. It has been an honor to be
listed along side so many great fleets out there trying to do
their best.
Lee
Gurule; La Plata County, Fleet Manager; Durango, CO
Recognition as a 100 Best Fleet has been a tremendous benefit to
our operation. We've seen morale increase significantly and
received many accolades from our customers. With increased
morale has come efficiency gains and with customer accolades has
come more confidence in us and our Division. Additionally, we
have completely involved City leadership in our celebration and
success. This has had the net effect of increasing our
Division's credibility with the decision-makers in the City--a
huge benefit when jobs are on the line and cutbacks the name of
the day. Fleet's credibility in Oxnard is at an all-time high
and that benefits us every single day.
Dan Berlenbach;
Fleet Services Manager, City of Oxnard; Oxnard, CA
Being
recognized as one of the 100 Best government fleets out of
38,000 public fleets in North America, has helped the Virginia
Department of Transportation Equipment Program maintain its
credibility and gain additional recognition within state
government as well as within the public fleet community.
Erle W. Potter,
P.E., CEM; State Equipment Manager; Virginia Department of
Transportation
Due to this award the
fleet division was and continues to be recognized for their
accomplishments. The '100 Best Fleet' designation is proudly
declared anytime fleet is mentioned. Another positive from this
award is the confidence it gives to the department who utilize
fleet’s services. This speaks volumes.
Scott Lawler; BLW
Public Works Operations Manager; City of Marietta, GA
Being an
outside contractor, presenting the award to the mayor and
counsel members goes along way when contract renewal or
negotiations are up coming. We presented this award three times
in three years consecutively and presenting the award has been
very beneficial in either monetary or extension of the contract.
Marc Siegel; General Manager, First Vehicle
Services; Town of Davie, FL
Government Fleet Magazine and
the 100 Best Fleets are the best in the business.
Ron Raines, Fleet
Manager city of Topeka, KS
Tom, I want to take a minute
to thank you and all who help to do the 100 Best Fleets program.
Alachua County Fleet Management has received a lot of praise for
placing in the 100 Best. I am quite sure it requires a lot of
hard work on your part to put this on this program, that
recognizes the "behind the scene" people that keep the wheels
rolling. Thanks Again, and I look forward to meeting you one day.
Ray Griffin; Alachua
County Fleet Manager; Gainesville, FL
Here at Buckeye we are up to the
challenge and working on our 2010 Top 100 Best Fleets in North
America application.
Below
are some of the things that I noticed since we won the award:
-
You receive free positive
publicity in your area. In these economic times it’s good for
the citizens and vendors in your community to know that your
organization has been recognized as one of the best at what you
do.
-
Credibility/Professionalism with
Mayor/Council, Town Manager and Departments: Right after we won the award we
were able to purchase mobile column lifts ($33,000) with an easy
approval from upper Town Management.
-
Keep’s your department
focused and on track by following you’re 'Top 100 Fleet
Assessment Checklist'.
Mike DePaulo, CPFP; Fleet Management
Supervisor; Town of Buckeye, AZ
From
a (successful) American Public Works Association nomination for
Michael DePaulo of Buckeye AZ: Public Relations Awareness
section
Mike is one who would prefer to
stay out of the spotlight; however, that does not mean that he
would shy away from getting the best possible press for the
people that work for him or his shop. In 2009 he, on his own
initiative applied for the prestigious 100 Best Government Fleet
Operations in North America award for the Town of Buckeye. It
was a long shot for Buckeye to even be considered as the
competition is so keen. There is an estimated 38,000 fleet
operations in North America that could compete. Mike took the
lead to put together the award package and Buckeye did make the
top 100 for 2009! This represents a huge morale boost for his
shop and gives great press for the Town of Buckeye as a whole.
Scott Lowe; Public Works Director; Town of Buckeye AZ
I have followed the 100 Best
Fleets for several years. It is a wonderful thing that you are
doing to encourage fleets to become better at what they do.
David McDermott; Fleet Manager; Council Bluffs, IA
Tom, it was nice to
talk to you in Detroit earlier this week. I have heard only good
about the top 100 programs and website, which I have now
bookmarked.
I hope to continue
future discussions over fleet management ideas and continue to
improve our industry.
Bob Adamsky; Fleet
Manager;
Del-Air Heating & Air Conditioning;
2010
winner of the NAFA Larry Goil Award for innovation in fleet
management;
Sanford FL
There are several benefits of being in this
program. The evaluation categories set our fleet objectives and
plans to improve efficiency and customers service. So this
program is as much of a tool for me to manage our fleet to
become even better organization each year. Also this recognition
highlights on our Fleet Services as an important component of
the City services that makes a huge contribution to our City.
Fred Chun;
Fleet Services Manager; City of Tacoma, WA
Thank you for the
positive feedback on the jackets. My guys love them. We
have purchased them three different types of jackets
over the last couple of years. It was fun to see the
switch to the Top 100 jackets. We didn’t tell them they
had to wear them. As a matter of choice they chose the
one that lets them brag a bit.
This effort helps with
so many other areas. Some of the guys have commented
their kids were proud of where they worked because they
were the best. That led to other efforts being willingly
accepted.
I
can’t thank you enough. Your efforts have made others
better and willing to work more.
David Kilbourne; Director – Fleet San Antonio Water
System; San Antonio, TX
Citrus County Fleet Management was selected for the first time
as one of the '100 Best Fleets' for 2009. The Board of County
Commissioners publicly recognized our achievement with an award
presentation. Having this outside recognition put to rest any
further discussion of privatization. We were also recognized in
our local newspaper which raised our standing with our citizens
and fellow county employees. Of course all of the exposure
reflected back to my staff. They are proud to finally receive
some positive recognition for the hard work they do for their
community. With frozen wages and hiring freezes, receiving an
honor like this has helped to keep morale high for our
organization.
Michael R. Webster; Director,
Office of Fleet & Transportation Management;
Citrus County, FL
Regarding the 100 Best Fleets... At a University, on the
academic side, there are all sorts of awards, degrees, grants,
etc, that can show their accomplishments, both as individuals
and departments. For support organizations there are very few
and often the nonacademic units are not highly thought of. The
'100 Best Fleets' is sponsored by a national publication so when
our Fleet department was honored it was well noted both on the
operational side and the academic side of the University. The
University of Minnesota is on a campaign to be one of the top
three public research universities in the country and this award
shows that we are one of the best. While people from the
academic side do notice and comment when they hear of our
accomplishments, or see the awards posted in our lobby, it is
the other support units that really understand what it means and
has helped us in our efforts to continuously make things better.
It also helps us in our efforts to improve that we have gotten
the award four years in a row. During these tough economic times
it is hard to make changes but when the administration sees that
we are on the leading edge by getting this recognition it makes
it easier.
Thank
You Tom.
Bill Roberts; Associate Director of Parking & Transportation
Services,
University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN
Our 100 Best Fleets Plaque is proudly displayed
on the Sheriff's wall in his office.
It is a great way to have the 'Boss' see that his
Fleet Department is recognized by an outside organization
for doing a great job!
Mike Best; Broward Sheriff's Office; Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Thank you very much Tom for
the great news. This news could not have come at a better time
taking into account all that the City of Miami and specifically
our Department has gone through for almost a year.
Once again thank you.
Jose E. Davila; Sr.
Fleet Superintendent; City of Miami, FL
Hi Tom, I hope all
is well. I wanted to give you a quick update on my job status. I
did take that job (we discussed when you were here) with the
city as the new Administrative Services Manager. As of May 3rd I
will be responsible for three other divisions in addition to
fleet. I thought you might be interested...
The City of Boise
Fleet Services Division has gained recognition, respect and
credibility with our customers, by being recognized as one of
the 100 Best Fleets in America. Although we feel very humbled to
be mentioned with the other fleets in this prestigious group. We
are inspired now especially in these rough economic times
to prove we truly are one of the 100 Best.
Craig Croner; Fleet Services Manager; City of Boise, ID
Apply now for "The 100 Best Fleets" 2010
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