At a Glance: 

• Name: Nancy Murray

• Title: Senior Manager, North America General Services, Travel, and Fleet

• Company: Agfa

• Years at Company: 45

• Years in Fleet: 13

• Fleet Size: Primarily hybrid vehicles, 80% of total fleet

• Fun Fact: Started as a facilities planner and draftsman before fleet “found her.”

When Nancy Murray first joined Agfa in 1980, she had no plans to become a fleet manager. Instead, she worked in facilities as a planner and draftsman, focusing on floor plans, building layouts, and everything else that kept the company’s workplaces running smoothly.

“Fleet wasn’t even on my radar at that point,” Murray recalled.

For more than three decades, Murray built her expertise in asset management — but for buildings, not vehicles. She handled leases, coordinated renovations, and ensured Agfa’s facilities met the needs of its diverse workforce.

That background, she later realized, was the perfect training ground for the fleet industry.

When Fleet Found Her

In 2011, an unexpected opportunity opened. When a long-time team member retired, the company’s travel and fleet operations (both under the umbrella of general services and facilities) needed a new leader.

“My boss at the time, the director, thought I would be a great fit for fleet,” Murray said. “Like everybody else, I didn’t find fleet — fleet found me.”

The transition was smoother than she had anticipated. “Asset management and facilities with buildings and leases worked very well with fleet,” she explained. “You’ve got assets and you’ve got leases in both cases. The principles are the same — just a different type of asset.”

Her manager gave her a strong foundation, encouraging her to join fleet associations, attend industry events, and connect with peers and suppliers. Those early relationships became invaluable resources as she navigated her first years in the role.

Today, 45 years after joining Agfa, Murray is senior manager for North America general services, travel, and fleet — overseeing a broad portfolio of responsibilities.

The Appeal of Fleet

It didn’t take long for Murray to embrace the fleet world. “I found that I love fleet,” she said. “The people in fleet and everything about the industry — it gets your interest, and you don’t let go. It’s that much fun.”

Murray credited her early success in fleet to the connections she made through industry organizations and supplier relationships, which she described as “great resources.” She noted that the pace of fleet work often felt faster and more varied than in her facilities role, where projects could unfold over months.

For her, that contrast was energizing. “I’ve had a very versatile job, so it’s never boring,” she said.

Navigating Car Allowances to Company Fleet — and Back

Murray’s perspective was formed by her experience on both sides of the fence. Early in her career, Agfa utilized an allowance program instead of leasing vehicles. Over time, the company shifted toward a managed fleet, then back to allowances, and again to a formal fleet program.

“In 2020, I ended up getting a car allowance again,” she recalled. “One good thing is I knew how to transition back again, set up a car allowance, and then transition out of it into fleet. That experience gave me a clear understanding of what works — and what doesn’t — in each model.”

Building a Greener Fleet

One of Murray’s most significant initiatives came in 2021, when she began a large-scale transition to hybrid vehicles. “I’ve transitioned 80% of my fleet to hybrids,” she said. “EVs don’t work for my business — we have too many miles driven per month.”

While she was open to electric vehicles, the operational realities made them a challenge for Agfa’s drivers. “I might have one or two cars that could be EVs, but for most of our drivers, it’s not practical,” she said. “Someone who drives 5,000 miles a month, sometimes making 600-700 miles in a single trip, isn’t going to make that on one charge.”

Charging downtime and charger availability were big concerns. “Even if they can find a charger, I have to account for their drive time — and they have to account for what they’re doing during that downtime. Increasing their miles per tankful is better than having unplanned downtime,” she explained.

The move to hybrids brought tangible results. “We’ve gone from vehicles in the low 30s for miles per gallon to around 47 mpg,” Murray said. “It’s a big improvement in both cost savings and environmental impact.”

Raising Driver Accountability

Murray was equally committed to driver accountability. One of her innovations was requiring each driver to submit six photos of their vehicle every summer — covering both interior and exterior.

“This allows me to assess the vehicle’s condition and cleanliness,” she said. “It’s part of their manager’s evaluation process, but it also lets me see if they’re maintaining it properly.”

This initiative reduced neglect and increased pride of ownership among drivers. “If someone isn’t keeping the car clean or maintaining it, it shows — and they know it’s being reviewed,” she said.

Aligning Selectors with Safety and Job Needs

Vehicle selectors were also revamped under Murray’s leadership. “I’ve realigned my selectors to make sure they have all the safety features I need and that they’re right for the job the driver needs to do,” she said.

This approach balanced cost control with driver well-being. “It’s not just about getting from point A to point B — it’s about making sure they can do their job safely, comfortably, and efficiently,” she added.

Be Willing to Pivot

Over her fleet career, Murray learned the value of adaptability. “You have to be willing to pivot,” she said. “Technology changes, business needs change, and what worked five years ago might not work today.”  

She credited much of her success to the network she built early on. “The suppliers and colleagues I met when I first started in fleet are still resources I rely on,” she said. “You can’t do this job in isolation — you need that community.”

Looking Ahead

After more than a decade in fleet and over four decades at Agfa, Murray still approached her work with enthusiasm. “I still love coming to work every day,” she said. “Fleet management is always evolving, and there’s always something new to learn.”

Her advice to those new to the industry was simple: “Get involved. Join associations, go to conferences, talk to other fleet managers. The more you learn from others, the better you’ll be.”

Outside of Fleet

On the weekends you can find Nancy out to eat or listening to live music. She also spends time upkeeping her “oasis” in the backyard, where she performs yardwork and gardening. 

“It’s my happy place,” Murray said.