Thanks to his monthly editorials for nearly 50 years in Automotive Fleet, my father, Ed Bobit, has become arguably the leading icon of the fleet industry.
by Ty Bobit
January 24, 2011
(Right) Ty Bobit, president and CEO of Bobit Business Media, has spent 35 years working with his father, Ed 'Coach' Bobit, and fondly recalls his years with the company from its first office in Glenview, Ill. to the company's current headquarters in Torrance, Calif.
3 min to read
Thanks to his monthly editorials for nearly 50 years in Automotive Fleet, my father, Ed Bobit, has become arguably the leading icon of the fleet industry. Month-in and month-out you see his photo, quotes, and opinions appear on the last page of each and every issue of AF.
I was nine when my father started AF and I have now worked with him for the past 35 years, so I have the unique perspective of knowing Ed Bobit the publisher, and Ed Bobit the person. From the little one-room office in Glenview, Ill., where AF got its start, to the sprawling 50,000-square foot building in Torrance, Calif., where we now reside, one thing hasn’t changed — my father.
Ad Loading...
My father has been a jock all his life and “bleeds green” for Michigan State University (MSU). It’s been his close relationship with the MSU football team that got him his nickname, “Coach.” Ever since I can remember, people who know my father have called him Coach. And I have probably called him Coach more often than I’ve called him Dad.
As I look back at my father’s 50 years of publishing Automotive Fleet and leading Bobit Business Media, the nickname “Coach” seems apropos. Coaches lead, teach, compete, inspire, and mentor. That is certainly my father, the Coach.
There’s no doubt that my father has led our company into national prominence. Bobit Business Media, now with 19 industry magazines, 40 industry websites, and 12 trade shows and conferences, is one of the leading family-owned media companies in the U.S. It didn’t come easy as the company was started on a shoestring, with my father making sure every penny was spent efficiently. An indefatigable worker who is in the office by 7:30 every morning, he continues to lead by example.
And what a teacher he is. On the business front he’s like a John Wooden, making sure we are adept at the fundamentals. Coach has always stressed quality circulation, sound research, good journalism, and savvy marketing. One area in particular that stands out to me is that he has taught us that it is our responsibility to challenge the establishment in op/ed columns even if it means having to take some heat. No one has stood up for the fleet manager like my father, and he has had his sword out for NAFA Fleet Management Association at times when he’s felt that the Association wasn’t doing enough for its members.
On the personal front, his zest for life — sports, Marsh Wheeling cigars, gin (now vodka), jokes, and the opposite sex — has taught us to enjoy life. He has shown us that you can have fun with work and be successful at the same time. He inspires us with his love of the business.
Ad Loading...
Coach, thank you for the opportunity to learn from you, and congratulations on 50 great years.
About the Author
Ty Bobit is president and CEO of Bobit Business Media, headquartered in Torrance, Calif.
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.
After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.
