Four finalists for the 2024 Edward J. Bobit Fleet Manager of the Year award have been announced.

The accolade recognizes a proficient fleet manager demonstrating special business acumen in developing and executing key management policies in all areas.

The award, sponsored by Wheels and the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA), will be presented at the 2024 AFLA Corporate Fleet Conference in San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 15-18, 2024, at the La Cantera Resort & Spa.

Ted Chan

Corporate Fleet and Travel Manager, Schindler Elevator Corp.
Years in Fleet: 7

Ted Chan's nominators identify him as a monumental asset in the fleet management sector, exemplifying leadership, innovation, and unwavering dedication.

"Being selected as a finalist for this award has been a great honor not only for me but for all the employees I represent at Schindler Elevator, deepening my appreciation for the impact of our work and reinforcing our dedication to pursuing ambitious goals," said Chan.

Chan manages a fleet of 4,000 assets across the U.S. and effectively navigates supply chain disruptions. His ability to forge substantial relationships with multiple OEMs has ensured the maintenance of proper aging for 96% of his fleet and an operational expense increase limited to less than 1% in 2023 amidst prevalent inflationary pressures.

Chan's nominators believe his efforts in fleet electrification and management efficiency have positioned Schindler as a leader in the field.

With a focus on sustainability, he has driven Schindler's initiative to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, incorporating nearly 200 electric vehicles (EVs) into the fleet by June 2024, leading to a $2.1 million fuel saving and an 11.2% reduction in CO2 emissions per vehicle in 2023.

"I hope our work will drive meaningful advancements in my field and contribute positively to the fleet community by tackling significant challenges with innovative solutions. Take fleet electrification, for example. I would consider Schindler Elevator one of our field's pioneers. Without a 'playbook' to follow, we had to write our own script, learn, and do at the same time. It's no easy task juggling our fleet sustainability targets, yet also delivering on our cost savings goals," said Chan.

Chan has improved operational efficiency, maintained low operational expense growth amidst inflation, has a comprehensive understanding of the automobile market, and has a penchant for sustainability and carbon neutrality.

Beyond technical metrics, Chan's nominators charaterize his leadership ethos by his approachable nature, constant availability to support his team, and commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. 

Sharon Etherington

Sr. Manager, Regional Administrative Services, Roche Diagnostics
Years in Fleet: 15

Sharon Etherington's nominators identify her as an innovative and decisive manager at Roche Diagnostics, where she has worked for over 15 years. They note that her leadership has greatly advanced the company's fleet management, especially in electrification, safety, and driver engagement.

"[The FMC] group has been instrumental in my growth. Their support has included challenging discussions, thought-provoking ideas, and constructive debates, which are essential for addressing tough issues and ensuring that safety and all operational standards are upheld," Etherington said.

Significant milestones under her tenure include transitioning the fleet to 78.66% hybrid and 18.98% PHEV/BEV to achieve full electrification by 2030.

Etherington has effectively employed various strategies to manage change and encourage positive driver behaviors, such as a quarterly newsletter, office hours for BEV and PHEV queries, driver assessments, and gamification.

"Drivers are crucial to my role, providing invaluable insights into what works and what doesn't on the ground. Their feedback on what is important and meaningful helps shape decisions and improve processes, ultimately enhancing overall efficiency and satisfaction. Trust has been the ultimate factor in their support," Etherington said.

In the realm of safety and efficiency, she initiated continuous MVR monitoring in 2020, introduced behind-the-wheel safety education in 2019, and saw a decrease in preventable accidents and overall accident rates in successive years.

The fleet's mpg has consistently improved, showcasing a 7% increase to 40.59 mpg in 2024. Etherington also focuses on driver satisfaction, which stands impressively at 88%, by allowing drivers to have a say in their vehicle choices and organizing innovation days for idea sharing.

"Engaging with various teams within our organization, such as finance, safety, health and environmental, risk management, legal, campus leadership, and compliance, has been crucial. This collaboration fosters a holistic approach to fleet management, allowing for comprehensive and effective decision-making while ensuring financial goals are met," Etherington said.

Her approach to fleet management not only supports Roche's goal for carbon neutrality by 2050 by transitioning towards more sustainable vehicle options but also results in substantial cost savings, amounting to $2,592,200 through various initiatives.

Etherington's nominators characterize her as a pioneer in the industry and a role model for effective fleet management through her efforts in fleet electrification and her commitment to continuous improvement.

David Hayward

Sr. Manager, Fleet, ABM
Years in Fleet: 18+

David Hayward currently leads a large mixed fleet at ABM. Hayward's nominators identify his management style as one with an innovation mindset and supportive of dedicated, technology-enabled employees.

"My biggest sources of support have been the many leaders and teammates I have worked with during my time in fleet, along with the wonderful friends I've made in the fleet industry who continually impress me with their willingness to help one another," said Hayward.

He has made significant strides in innovation and efficiency within the fleet sector, notably by creating the "Fast Track Program," which dramatically reduced vehicle upfit times and costs, saving ABM approximately $900k annually.

Since taking the role of Global Fleet Manager at ABM in February 2022, amid pandemic-related supply chain issues, Hayward developed new strategies to mitigate these challenges.

His notable achievements include reducing delivery times for upfitted vehicles from 180 days to 45 days, increasing factory orders by 200%, and implementing a digital transformation initiative to streamline fleet and driver information management.

This initiative, titled ServiceNow, streamlines and automates fleet requests and functions for an organization managing over 6,000 assets.

Additionally, Hayward has established a Fleet Governance Structure to ensure vehicles are fit for purpose and policies with well-communicated processes across ABM.

His efforts have also created an internal vehicle pool that significantly reduced out-of-stock units, saving ABM more than $4 million. This vehicle pool remains active, facilitating fleet needs outside the usual twice-a-year replacement cycle.

Hayward's nominators conclude that his innovative approach, strategic foresight, and practical implementations have transformed ABM's fleet operations.

Joseph Lukacs

Global Director of Fleet Operations, The Sherwin-Williams Company
Years in Fleet: 9

With over 27 years of experience in various roles at Sherwin-Williams, Joseph Lukacs's nominators agree that he has significantly contributed to the company's core values, fleet management, and sustainability efforts.

Managing a global fleet of nearly 12,000 vehicles globally, Lukacs has introduced a successful hybrid pilot program resulting in a net increase of 3.2 mpg over the fleet's ICE vehicles, reduced CO2 emissions despite a fleet increase, and substantial cost savings through effective vehicle remarketing.

Lukacs has also led a remarkable 17.8% reduction in rental days due to mechanical issues in 2022-23, showcasing his proactive approach to fleet management.

Lukac's nominators identify him as a recognized leader in fleet innovation. Lukacs shares his expertise by serving on General Motors' EV Advisory Board.

He has been instrumental in advancing Sherwin-Williams' sustainability initiatives, mainly by incorporating hybrid and EVs into the fleet, contributing to the company's environmental goals.

Lukacs has systematically developed the EV fleet, making significant strides in CO2 emission reduction and paving the way for future sustainability efforts.

"The fleet industry has and will continue to move forward beyond [me]. Although one man can make a difference, it's the support of others around you that drives success," said Lukacs.

Lukac's nominators note his commitment to change management and industry collaboration further emphasizes his invaluable role in driving performance and technology advancements at Sherwin-Williams.