Faces of Fleet: Za Farley - Diversifying Fleet with Black Fleet Network
Black Fleet Network Names Peer Advisory Committee
Several familiar names in fleet management are a part of the Black Fleet Network inaugural Peer Advisory Committee, which will focus on fostering a more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative industry.

The Black Fleet Network Inaugural Peer Advisory Committee consists of 10 fleet professionals aiming to help increase awareness of and diversity in this fantastic industry.
Photo: Black Fleet Network
Black Fleet Network (BFN), a unique non-profit with leadership commited to growth in the commercial vehicle industry, introduce its inaugural Peer Advisory Committee (PAC).
Comprising a group of highly accomplished and award-winning fleet professionals, BFN noted the committee is set to revolutionize leadership development - with a distinct focus on diversity and excellence. The PAC's role is pivotal, as it exists to steer the direction of all industry-related education that BFN provides.
These accomplished professionals are uniquely qualified to advise on learnings directly aligned with the spectrum of fleet management responsibilities. Their perspective, rooted in their experiences as Black leaders in the industry, allows them to define best practices for empathetically training the next generation of diverse men and women.
According to the organization, BFN’s Peer Advisory Committee is not just shaping the future of fleet management but also fostering a more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative industry. This committee brings together a diverse range of talents, perspectives, and experiences that will equip and empower the leaders of tomorrow’s commercial automotive industry.
The inaugural PAC is an ensemble of industry leaders with decades of aggregated experience and includes:
LaVa Darby: Owner | Darby Enterprise Global Solutions
April Dents: Account Manager, Fleet & Truck MSO | PPG
Lora Dunton: Co-Owner & CEO | J3 Management Group
Tim Fitzgerald: Fleet Administrator | DC Government
Ladda Love Hawkins: Owner | My Own Lane Consultants
Samuel Hunter: Head of Sales | Driveroo
Alrik Lunsford: Extension Specialist - Clean Transportation | North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
Bill Pugh: Owner | Smart Connections Consulting
Cedric Roberts: Fleet Director | City of Birmingham
Al Curtis, Fleet Services Director for Cobb County (Georgia) Government, will serve as the Peer Advisory Chairman on BFN's Board of Directors.
As BFN takes this significant step forward, they invite all stakeholders across the fleet and commercial vehicle landscape to join hands and embrace the future. The PAC is a testament to BFN’s commitment to making a difference and driving diversity in an industry where change is long overdue.
More Operations
What Fleet Managers Really Want From Vendors
From customer service frustrations and technology breakdowns to RFQs, change management, and the growing impact of turnover across the industry, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the real operational challenges fleet managers are navigating every day.
Read More →Fleet Safety Masterclass: Industry Leaders on Storytelling, Strategy & Innovation
In this special masterclass episode, industry leaders break down what it really takes to build safer fleets in today’s increasingly distracted and data-driven world.
Read More →Integrating Legacy Fleet Systems and Historical Data
In this episode, we bring together fleet and technology leaders to unpack the realities of data integration, system migrations, and the evolving role of AI in fleet management.
Read More →From Resistance to Results: Change Management Strategies for Fleets
From new technologies and safety programs to evolving regulations, fleets are under constant pressure to adapt. But as Dr. Betz explains, success isn’t about the system you implement—it’s about whether your people actually use it.
Read More →Where We're Headed: A Practical Look at AI in Fleet
Discover how AI is actually being deployed in fleets, not just marketed, including practical use cases and emerging risks.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
Growing legal exposure can put fleets at risk. Here's one company's approach.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Think They Understand Their Costs. The Data Says Otherwise.
Most fleet managers say they have a strong handle on their costs, but new research from Bobit Business Media tells a different story. A 2026 survey of 190 fleet professionals reveals a widespread "confidence gap" where fragmented systems, disconnected data, and delayed reporting are leaving major blind spots hidden beneath the surface. Find out what the data actually shows.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-Time Prevention (Part 2 of 2)
Part Two: Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Continue learning more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab
Read More →
New Trucks, AI & Summer Downtime | AF News Recap
From new truck updates to AI-powered driver coaching and summer maintenance tips, this week's fleet headlines are all about keeping things moving.
Read More →
Beyond Utilization Rates: Smarter Fleet Replacement Decisions
Vehicle replacement decisions affect every aspect of fleet performance, from operating costs to asset availability. This guide explores how fleet leaders use integrated data, benchmarking, and lifecycle analytics to determine the right fleet size and optimize replacement timing with greater confidence.
Read More →

