Sims Named 2010 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year

DETROIT – Michael Sims, fleet operations manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was awarded Automotive Fleet’s 2010 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year honor Sunday, April 25.

by Staff

April 26, 2010

Sims Named 2010 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year — A very surprised Mike Sims (right) is introduced as 2010 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year by Jim Frank of Wheels, annual sponsor of the award.

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DETROIT – Michael Sims, fleet operations manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was awarded Automotive Fleet’s 2010 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year honor Sunday, April 25, in a special ceremony at the NAFA Fleet Management Association’s (NAFA) Institute & Expo.

Sims was selected by a 32-member judging panel, including past winners, manufacturers, auctions, fleet management services, dealers, and the media. Instituted in 1985, the award is sponsored by Automotive Fleet magazine, Wheels Inc., and the Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association (AFLA).

“I was totally surprised and honored,” said Sims upon accepting the award. “Not expecting this at all, but grateful for a dedicated team of fleet professionals who help us manage our fleet. I really cherish our relationship with Bobit Publishing and Bobit's team of professionals who really add so much to our industry. The other nominees were so deserving, and any of them would have been outstanding choices. I also want to thank those who voted.”

Louise Davis-Lopez, fleet manager for Johnson & Johnson, and Theresa Belding, senior manager, fleet services for Forest Pharmaceuticals, were also award finalists. 2010 award nominations totaled 11.

A 36-year industry veteran, Sims directs a global fleet of 12,800 vehicles, headquartered in Salt Lake City. His overall responsibilities include planning and sourcing vehicles. Among his notable achievements were creating an improved lifecycle cost tool for purchasing decisions, implementing a GPS-based accident reduction system, restructuring the fleet management organization, and standardizing global fleet processes.

Sims’ industry affiliations include membership in NAFA, Rocky Mountain Fleet Management Association, and AFLA, serving on the organization’s Commercial Fleet Sounding Board. Other activities include chairing GM’s U.S. and global Fleet Sounding Boards and serving on the Ford Fleet Advisory Board.

Sims will be featured on the cover of the AF June issue. Click here to view the entire AF 2010 Fleet Manager of the Year nomination ballot.

By Grace Suizo

Topics:NAFA Institute & Expo Awards Forest Pharmaceuticals Fleet Manager of the Year Non-Profit Fleets Operations

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