Vote for this year's Fleet Manager of the Year! Call for Nominations: 2026 Fleet Manager of the Year Award
Fleet Manager of the Year Winners Over the Years
The Edward J. Bobit Fleet Manager of the Year award honors commercial fleet managers whose leadership, innovation, and business acumen have advanced the profession.
April 24, 2026
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Jack Lamb, recipient of the award in 1985.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
2 min to read
The Edward J. Bobit Professional Fleet Manager of the Year award was introduced in 1985 to recognize accomplished fleet managers who demonstrate strong business leadership and the ability to develop and execute key management policies across all areas of fleet operations. Winners are full-time commercial fleet managers overseeing a company-owned or leased fleet of more than 100 cars and light trucks. The annual honor recognizes innovative approaches that improve safety, efficiency, and productivity.
In 2018, the award was renamed to honor Ed Bobit, founder of Bobit Business Media and a co-founder of AFLA. Sponsors include Wheels, Inc. and AFLA.
2025
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Joseph Lukacs recipient of the award in 2025.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Joe Lukacs, Sherwin-Williams
2024
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Sharon Etherington, recipient of the award in 2024.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Sharon Etherington, Roche Diagnostics
2023
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Kimberly Fisher, recipient of the award in 2023.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Kimberly Fisher, NOV
2022
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Jonathan Kamanns, recipient of the award in 2022.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Jonathan Kamanns, Boehringer-Ingelheim
2021
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Jim Petrillo recipient of the award in 2021.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Jim Petrillo, FujiFilm
2020
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Lee Pierce recipient of the award in 2019.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Lee Pierce, Nutrien Ag Solutions
2019
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Erin Gilchrist recipient of the award in 2019.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Erin GilChrist, Safelite AutoGlass
2018
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Paul Samuelson recipient of the award in 2018.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Phil Samuelson, USIC
2017
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree John Dmochowsky, recipient of the award in 2017.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
John Dmochowsky, Mondeléz International
2016
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree George Survant, recipient of the award in 2016.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
George Survant, Charter Communications
2015
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Brenda Davis, recipient of the award in 2015.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Brenda Davis, Baker Hughes
2014
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Gage Wagoner, recipient of the award in 2014.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Gage Wagoner, Philips
2013
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Dick Malcolm, recipient of the award in 2013.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Dick Malcolm, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.
2012
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Lee Miller, recipient of the award in 2012.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Lee Miller, Boehringer Ingelheim
2011
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Theresa Belding, recipient of the award in 20011.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Theresa Belding, Forest Pharmaceuticals
2010
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Michael Sims, recipient of the award in 20010.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Michael Sims, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
2009
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Christie Meyer, recipient of the award in 2009.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Christy Coyte (Meyer), Johnson Controls Inc.
2008
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Joe LaRosa, recipient of the award in 2008.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Joe LaRosa, Merck & Co., Inc.
2007
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Lynda Dinwiddie, recipient of the award in 2007.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Lynda Dinwiddie, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp)
2006
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Scott Mayo, recipient of the award in 2006.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Scott Mayo, Scotts Lawn Service
2005
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Jim McCarthy, recipient of the award in 2005.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Jim McCarthy, Siemens Shared Services
2004
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Henry Paetzel, recipient of the award in 2004.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Henry Paetzel, General Mills, Inc.
2003
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Josie Sharp, recipient of the award in 2003.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Josie Sharp, Aventis Pharmaceuticals
2002
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Jim Anselmi, recipient of the award in 2002.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Jim Anselmi, Lorillard Tobacco Company
2001
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Patsy Brownson, recipient of the award in 2001.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Patsy Brownson, Cox Enterprises, Inc.
2000
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Shirley Collins, recipient of the award in 2000.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Shirley Collins, GlaxoSmithKline
1999
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Stephen Levine, recipient of the award in 1999.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Stephen Levine, Pharmacia & Upjohn
1998
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Sue Miller, recipient of the award in 1998.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Sue Miller, McDonald’s Corp.
1997
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Sal Giacchi, recipient of the award in 1997.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Greg Tarring, Philip Morris USA
1996
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Sal Giacchi, recipient of the award in 1996.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Sal Giacchi, Lorillard Tobacco Co.
1995
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Debby Mize, recipient of the award in 1995.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Debbie Mize, Hallmark
1994
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Larry Giddens, recipient of the award in 1994.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Larry Giddens, RJ Reynolds Tobacco
1993
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Charles Bowen, recipient of the award in 1993.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Charles Bowen, Georgia-Pacific
1992
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Dick Prettyman, recipient of the award in 1992.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Dick Prettyman, Du Pont
1991
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Patsy Mance, recipient of the award in 1991.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Patsy Mance, Bristol Myers Squibb Co.
1990
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Tim Hoffmann, recipient of the award in 1990.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Tim Hoffmann, 3M
1989
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Ron Pink, recipient of the award in 1989.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Ron Pink, Xerox Corp.
1988
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree George Weimer, recipient of the award in 1988.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
George Weimer, Contel Service Corp.
1987
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree Richard Catino, recipient of the award in 1987.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
Richard Catino, Digital Equipment Corp.
1986
Fleet Manager of the Year honoree E. Pierce Walsh, recipient of the award in 1986.
Credit: Automotive Fleet
E. Pierce Walsh, IC Industries
1985
Jack Lamb, Exxon
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Fleet Forward
Earley, Mossing Named to NAFA's 2026 Class of Fellows
The honor recognizes five outstanding professionals whose leadership, service and contributions have made a significant impact on NAFA and the fleet management profession.
Read More →
Fleet Forward Conference Adds IIHS Crash Test Experience for 2026 Attendees
Attendees will witness a live crash test, tour the IIHS Vehicle Research Center, and experience advanced crash-avoidance technologies firsthand.
Read More →
Sponsored•June 1, 2026
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
Matt Dyer to Deliver Closing Keynote at Fleet Forward Conference
The Merchants Fleet CEO will discuss the changing expectations and strategic role of today’s fleet leaders.
Read More →
IIHS Brings Commercial Vehicle Safety Analysis to 2026 Fleet Forward Conference Stage
IIHS President David Harkey will share early findings from new testing of delivery vans, pickups, and work trucks — and what the data means for fleet safety decisions.
Read More →
Fleet Manager or Data Strategist? You’re Both
The job hasn’t changed, but the expectations have. Do you have a plan on how to use AI to thrive?
Read More →
Nominations Are Open for the 2026 Awards!
The Hall of Fame, Visionary, and Fleet Manager of the Year award nominations are officially live. Don't miss your chance to recognize someone deserving.
Read More →
Vehicle Management Systems Introduces Virtual Fleet Manager
VMS recently launched an AI-first fleet platform that streamlines system design, organizes data, and supports decision-making.
Read More →
LightMetrics Launches Cloud AI Layer to Reduce False Driver Safety Alerts
New FP platform filters dashcam alerts before they reach fleet managers, aiming to cut false positives, improve trust, and streamline safety coaching.
Read More →
Call for Nominations: 2026 Fleet Manager of the Year Award
Nominations are now open for one of the fleet industry’s most prestigious honors—the Edward J. Bobit Professional Fleet Manager of the Year Award. Recognizing leaders who drive innovation, safety, and measurable impact, this award celebrates the very best in fleet management.
Read More →