Fleet Manager Wins Grand Cherokee at NAFA
Connie Smith joked before going to NAFA that she wouldn’t need a roundtrip ticket because she was planning on winning an SUV to be given away at the conference.
Connie Smith joked before going to NAFA that she wouldn’t need a roundtrip ticket because she was planning on winning an SUV to be given away at the conference. She was right. Smith, the manager of Global Fleet Governance for Procter & Gamble, won a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland on Monday afternoon in a prize drawing sponsored by LeasePlan and Driveitaway. Bryan Calloway, LeasePlan’s senior vice president of marketing, and Kristofer Bush, Marketing Communication Manager of LeasePlan oversaw the drawing in which five finalists were selected and handed an ignition key. The finalists then led a parade of onlookers into the atrium of the Georgia World Congress Center to try their key in the SUV’s door. Smith was the third up–and it opened. “I felt like a contestant on a game show,” an overwhelmed Smith said afterward. “And I’m no longer a minivan mom.” The vehicle giveaway was sponsored by LeasePlan to promote reDrive, the company’s new automated online employee sales program powered by the technology of Driveitaway. The program allows employees of LeasePlan’s clients the opportunity to browse their company’s pool of off-lease vehicles prior to turn-in date and then purchase them at a significantly reduced price. reDrive also offers employees online financing and vehicle extended service plans. Smith, also a nominee for this year’s Fleet Manager of the Year award, ultimately decided she didn’t want to drive home. Being in the fleet business has its advantages – she got the car shipped back by AmeriFleet, her preferred transportation company to move P&G’s vehicles. Smith says AmeriFleet will also handle the titling and licensing for her. The other four finalists did not walk away empty handed. Each won a gift certificate for $100 from Visa.
More Operations

90% Use Telematics. Are Fleets Getting Safer? | AF News Recap
This week, we're breaking down which industries have the highest rates, how Jamie McKay manages 2,400 vehicles, what's happening with the 2027 fleet awards, and why software-defined vehicles could introduce new costs.
Read More →
What's Best Handled by an FMC, and What's Better Done Directly?
Fleet managers continue to rely on FMCs for essential services but are taking a closer look at where working directly with suppliers can improve efficiency and responsiveness.
Read More →
Fleet Meets: Erin Gilchrist
Meet Erin Gilchrist, the inaugural Mike Antich Spirit of Fleet Award winner, as she shares insights on leadership, mentorship, the power of industry connections, and why people remain at the heart of fleet's future.
Read More →
How 2026 Fleet Visionary Jamie McKay Manages 2,400 Vehicles Across 37 States
How do you keep 2,400 vehicles running across 37 states? Fleet Visionary Award winner Jamie McKay shares how collaboration, flexibility, and a few simple strategies help her tackle fleet management challenges at Aptive Pest Control.
Read More →
Managing Fleet Costs in an Era of Permanent Volatility
Fleet operating costs have risen more than 20% since 2020, raising a key question: When does extending a vehicle's service life stop making financial sense?
Read More →
The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations
This opening keynote session at the Fleet Forward Conference highlights the future of autonomous driving for fleets.
Read More →
How to Reduce the Total Cost of Risk From Catalytic Converter Theft
A stolen catalytic converter can cost fleets far more in downtime and lost productivity than in repairs. A total-cost-of-risk approach can help fleet managers quantify their exposure and prioritize theft prevention.
Read More →
Personal-Use Charges Rise as Vehicle Values Fall | AF News Recap
Personal-use charges are climbing, wholesale used-vehicle values are declining, and commercial fleet sales growth is slowing. This week, we're breaking down the latest fleet data, plus how Element Fleet Management is helping Waymo prepare for its first Canadian robotaxi market.
Read More →
Here's When You Should Make an Exception to Fleet Policy
Fleet policies are designed to create consistency, but not every driver or situation fits neatly within standard rules.
Read More →
AI-Native or AI-Acquired: What Should Fleet Managers Look for in an AI Platform?
Six questions can help fleet managers look beyond AI marketing claims to evaluate integration, data access, and real-world operational performance.
Read More →
