The Women in Fleet profile series introduces fleet managers to some of the most influential women in fleet. Every month, we get to know another positive force in the fleet industry. 

This month, we met Terri Titas-Wolcott, national sales manager – fleet at Wilson Electronics. 

Getting into Fleet

Titas-Wolcott has more than 25 years of fleet experience, working for ABC/Masterack, Monroe Truck Equipment, FCA, and Wilson Electronics. 

“I was first recruited by the President of ABC (America’s Body Company) at church because he needed an inside sales coordinator and knew I had a highly technical background. I knew nothing at all about fleets except that it meant a lot of cars, trucks, and vans for large companies,” she shared. 

Titas-Wolcott recalled the first time she saw a fleet pool list with chassis information, cab type, wheelbase, etc. 

“It looked like a foreign document at first until I learned quickly what it all meant. I fell in love with fleet and rose through the ranks quickly at ABC, helping to establish the fleet department and its structure,” she said.

Today, she works at Wilson Electronics establishing a fleet department in support of the Drive Reach Fleet cell phone signal booster. 

Relationships Matter

Fleet is an ever-changing industry, and relationships matter. “One of the most valuable things I realized is to establish a reliable network of colleagues and friends from OEMs, FMCs, upfitters, associations, and body/part manufacturers. Business is about customers, people, and solutions; thus, being involved with a comprehensive network is a critical tool," she said. 

When Titas-Wolcott began in fleet, she noted the hardest thing she had to overcome was joining a male-dominated industry. 

“When I began my career, I would be one of a handful of females at trade shows, in board rooms, and sales presentations to large fleets. I worked hard to educate myself on the technical requirements of the equipment,” Titas-Wolcott said. “This included extensive learning about the vehicles and component layouts of a variety of OEM brands on trucks, cab chassis, cutaways, and vans.” 

Advice after two-plus decades in fleet? “First and foremost, find an excellent mentor to help you navigate the complex fleet world and establish a network. Actively engage in learning through organizations, classes, and colleagues,” she advised. “Always be honest and genuine in everything you do daily, including your interactions with both internal and external stakeholders.  Tenacity and perseverance are keys to success, but having a balanced life of home and work is important to avoid burnout. (This was a hard lesson to learn). I have made many friends within the industry, and I treasure these friendships. Lastly, love what you do, and the rest will follow.”

Motivated from Day 1

Experience is only part of our story. Here is a little more about Titas-Wolcott: 

Vision of the Future: “Personally, spending time with my husband, family, and friends while pursuing all the outdoor hobbies I love as often as possible. I am passionate about travel, thrive on adventure, and enjoy new challenges. In five years, I will be working with an entire Wilson Electronics department of passionate fleet specialists to provide a suite of state-of-the-art cellular technologies to fleets. This technology will enhance connectivity to improve every aspect of the daily activities, data transmission, safety, and communications for fleets,” she said.

You May Not Know: “My career beginnings began in motivational products, speakers, and books. Positive, passionate attitude is everything, and my favorite quote is: ‘Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible,’ by Ronnie Oldham. Carpe Diem,” Titas-Wolcott shared.