Three new Fleet Hall of Fame inductees were announced recently at the 2025 Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association (AFLA) annual conference in Marco Island, Florida, on Monday, Sept. 15.  

Each year, the awards are sponsored by AFLA and presented by Automotive Fleet.  

Hall of Fame inductees have over 10 years of fleet experience and are recognized for the "indelible mark each has made within the commercial fleet management profession,” according to the awards criteria.  

“Our Hall of Fame nominees are fleet professionals who have made a profound difference in the industry over their careers, which span decades,” said Chris Brown, associate publisher of Automotive Fleet. “This is truly a lifetime achievement award.”

This year's three honorees join more than 100 others who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since its establishment in 2008.  

Celebrating Lisa Kneggs

The first installment of this year's Hall of Fame series honors Lisa Kneggs.

Kneggs reflected on the origins of her love for the automotive industry during her award acceptance speech.  

"Looking back, the signs of my love for cars and trucks were there early. Like standing in the driveway, holding a flashlight for my dad, desperately trying to aim it exactly where he wanted it while he grumbled," Kneggs said. "Or in high school, when my vocational test results showed my top score was in auto mechanics."

This love fueled her early journey into the fleet world that ultimately led to a career spanning over 30 years.  

Starting With Pizza, Ending with Coffee

Kneggs’ career began back in 1995, when she worked as an HR temp.

As with many other leading fleet figures, fleet found her, not the other way around. "I wasn't really asked, I was drafted (or voluntold) to handle the fleet for Pizza Hut," Kneggs said. "And just like that, my fleet career began. I had only one day with the former fleet manager at Pizza Hut, so really, I just made it up as I went."  

Those who have supported her from the start shared their excitement at how far she has come since that fateful beginning in the pizza world.  

"I can't believe it has been 30 years…I still remember when I asked her to take on the fleet. She was a natural. She took the ball and ran with it, never looking back," said Joe Bosch, former Chief People Officer at Pizza Hut.  

Lisa went on to work for Yum Brands, managing 1,700 Sedans for 12 years. She also mastered the art of upfitting, where she worked with box trucks, lift gates, shelving, and custom coin vaults in Toyota trucks.

Lisa currently works with Farmer Brothers Coffee Company, where she leads safety, compliance, and sustainability efforts while mentoring peers and elevating industry standards.  

According to Lisa's nominator, her spirit and positive nature are what distinguish her.  

"Lisa's forward-thinking approach and operational expertise have resulted in measurable efficiencies and long-term cost savings. But it's not just her professional achievements that make Lisa Hall of Fame material — it's her character."  

Fleet Excels Life Experiences

In her speech at the AFLA conference, Kneggs reflected on the opportunities that the fleet industry has given her and the enriching experiences that followed.

"I never would have met Carroll Shelby, Mike Rowe, Joe Theismann, or General Wald. Or driven fast on Phoenix Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Speedway, or Memphis Speedway…. or driven from Napa Valley over the mountains to Reno at my very first GM Preview," Kneggs said.  

"I never would have traveled to Las Vegas more times than I can count or watched the ducks march through the Peabody Hotel. Or learned why wheelbases and cab-to-axle measurements actually matter."  

She has partnered with individuals from Wheels, CitiGroup, Citicapital, USFL, PHH, ARI, LeasePlan, Holman, Knapheid, Supreme, and Wabash.

AFLA and Comradery

As a member of AFLA, Kneggs has been a part of a variety of networking and learning opportunities.  

Influences like Pat Turner, Delwyn Peacock, Jim Frank, Mike Pitcher, Steve Bender, Mike Antich, Chris Brown, and Lauren Fletcher have made real impacts on Kneggs' career.

"To me, it hasn't just been about business. It's been about friendships," she said. "Lifelong ones."

Kneggs mentioned them by name in her speech.  

"Sue, Lee, Theresa, Kaki, Deb, Crystal, Aurora, Lori, Sue, Elysee, Genie - — these are just some of the people who've stood by me through the challenges, layoffs, fleet reductions, mergers, and even kids! They made the work lighter and have been there for me personally and professionally."

Kneggs was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside industry leaders Oleg Cytowitz and Laura Jozwiak. 

"So, here's to the laughter, the speedways, the spreadsheets, and the friendships that made it all worthwhile," Kneggs said. "And as I've been known to say — probably too often — fleet is a life sentence." 

Other Award News

Fleet Manager of the Year: Joseph Lukacs Wins 2025 Fleet Manager of the Year 

Fleet Visionary: Taylor Murphy Wins 2025 Fleet Visionary Award

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