Mark Leuenberger, assistant VP, Supply Chain, for Cox Enterprises, was named the 2018 Fleet Executive of the Year at the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association's (AFLA) annual conference in Orlando, Florida, on Oct. 1.

A panel of industry judges evaluates submissions based on cost-saving initiatives, policy setting, creation of innovative programs, and cultivation of fleet manager training and management. The CEI Group is the exclusive sponsor for the Fleet Executive of the Year award.

Leuenberger was selected from a field of two other finalists that also included Lynda Dinwiddie, associate VP of LabCorp; and Yogi Shivdasani, VP of logistics and procurement for LKQ Corp. He oversees a companywide fleet of more than 13,000 vehicle and assets, which is managed by Jim Bigelow, senior director of Enterprise Fleet Operations for Cox Enterprises.

"Mark led a complex fleet consolidation, and showed the importance of leadership during a fleet restructuring initiative," said Mike Antich, associate publisher/editor at Automotive Fleet.

In addition to overseeing all fleet-related vendor contracts and services, Leuenberger also is responsible for Cox Enterprises’ supply chain services and procurement functions. Under his leadership, Cox’s large, diverse, divisional fleet operations were consolidated into one shared service organization. This allowed the company to achieve consistency, efficiency, and cost savings.

The award recognizes exceptional leadership by managers who hold the title of vice president or higher and have other responsibilities beyond fleet.