Chad Edmondson, director of Fleet Services at VSC Fire & Security, was named the 2026 Fleet Safety Award winner. The American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) and Automotive Fleet magazine presented the award on October 21 at the 2026 Fleet Forward Conference.

With more than 16 years of experience in commercial and public sector fleet operations, Edmondson has focused on developing fleet programs that prioritize driver safety, organizational collaboration, and employee engagement.

Since joining VSC Fire & Security in 2021, Edmondson has led the development and implementation of a centralized fleet management program, which now oversees more than 1,100 fleet assets nationwide.

Building a Safety Culture Through Collaboration

For Edmondson, fleet safety means teamwork.

With collaboration at the core of his operation, Edmondson attributes his success to the work of all involved departments and external partners.

"I often remind myself and my team that every success is the result of genuine organization-wide collaboration," Edmondson said.

That collaboration extends across Risk, Legal, Finance, Safety, HR, IT, and other departments, as well as division managers, supervisors, and field safety personnel at individual locations nationwide.

While these relationships help establish and support fleet safety initiatives, he emphasizes that the people operating the vehicles are central to their success.

"Most importantly, however, it’s about our frontline employees that drive our fleet vehicles and serve our customers every day," Edmondson said. "We value their role in our business and care deeply about ensuring they return home safely to their families."

Putting Drivers at the Center of Safety Decisions

One of Edmondson's strongest recommendations for fleet managers looking to improve driver safety is to involve employees directly.

His philosophy emphasizes building relationships with drivers and understanding their experiences behind the wheel, rather than relying exclusively on policies or technology to influence behavior.

“For organizations seeking to improve driver safety, my strongest recommendation is to engage your drivers directly: communicate with them, visit and ride with them, respect their vehicles as their office workplaces, seek their feedback, and build trusted relationships,” Edmondson said. “The one constant is that drivers talk amongst each other, so it’s always good to have a solid population of them in your corner.”

He also encourages fleet managers to explain the reason behind new safety measures, particularly when introducing technology that may raise employee concerns.

According to Edmondson, even when drivers initially disagree with a newly implemented safety measure, they can gain support through communication, education, and transparency.

Recognizing an Ongoing Commitment to Safety

Edmondson's recognition highlights an approach to fleet management that treats driver safety as an organizational responsibility supported by leadership, employees, and industry partners.

His experience developing a centralized fleet management program at VSC Fire & Security has reinforced the importance of maintaining that collaboration while keeping employees' well-being at the forefront of fleet operations.

In his acceptance speech, Edmondson acknowledged that building a successful safety culture is not a one-time accomplishment but an ongoing process requiring continuous attention and improvement.

"I always say 'that journey never ends'; it just evolves and transforms!" he said.

Previous Fleet Safety Award Winners

• 2025: 2025 Fleet Safety Award: Clear Channel Outdoor Wins, Runners-Up Spotlighted for Safety Leadership
• 2024: Sandra Doucette, Sr. Manager of EHS at Advance Auto Parts (AAP)
• 2023: Eric Richardson of New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
• 2022: Mark Peabody of 3M 
• 2021: Frank A. Merlock of AbbVie 
• 2020: Katie Franssen & Sharon Etherington of Roche Diagnostics
• 2019: Dina Kushaliyeva & Abigail Bogle of Direct Energy