Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Former GM Fleet Exec Shepherd Dies

Jim Shepherd, retired General Motors fleet account executive for Northern California, passed away on Feb. 3. He was 73.

Mike Antich
Mike AntichFormer Editor and Associate Publisher
Read Mike's Posts
March 31, 2016
Former GM Fleet Exec Shepherd Dies

Shepherd

1 min to read


Shepherd

Jim Shepherd, retired General Motors fleet account executive for Northern California, passed away on Feb. 3, 2016. He was 73.

Ad Loading...

Shepherd joined GM in 1965 during the New York World’s Fair. Shepherd worked for General Motors for 36 years.

Ad Loading...

He was drafted into the U.S. Army on July 11, 1966, during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on July 10, 1968 as specialist E-5, pay distribution specialist. He was assigned to Vietnam in January 1967 and served there for 11 months and 24 days.  Shepherd was awarded the Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam.

Upon completion of his mandatory two-year Army commitment, Shepherd returned to his job at Cadillac Motor Division and for the next 36 years he worked in various parts, field, and central office sales management positions throughout the U.S. Shepherd’s last job with GM was as a fleet account executive for GM Fleet & Commercial Operations in San Francisco. He retired from GM in 2001.

In retirement, Shepherd was president of the GM Retirees Association (GMRA). He was also the vice president of the 28th U.S. Infantry Regiment (Black Lions) and enjoyed planning its annual reunion for the past several years.

More Operations

Amalgamation of fleet operating costs for 2026
Operations•by Chris Brown•November 1, 2026

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 →
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail
Operations•October 29, 2026

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 →
A picture of a transparent catalytic converter with blue text and the Automotive Fleet logo on the top.
Operations•October 29, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
AF news recap thumbnail
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 26, 2026

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 →
A transparent blue background of a hand stamping a paper is the background of text that says "What about fleet policy exceptions?" with the Automotive Fleet logo in the bottom right corner.
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 20, 2026

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 →
A hand writing on an ipad with a transparent AI graphic over it
Operations•October 20, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
Chevin 2026 Buyes Guide cover
Sponsored•October 14, 2026

A buyer's guide to fleet management software in 2027

Buying fleet management software in 2027 means looking beyond features and price. As fleet operations, technology and expectations evolve, this guide explores what today’s fleet professionals should consider when choosing a system that can deliver value now and adapt to what comes next.

Read More →
An overhead image of a freeway system with no vehicles
Sponsored•by Shelley Mika•October 13, 2026

What Will Shape the Next Era of Fleet Management?

EVs, AI, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping fleet management. Discover what’s ahead—and how fleet leaders can prepare for the next era.

Read More →
A Cox Fleet technician working on the left with the rear view of a military man saluting a flag on the right
Operations•October 8, 2026

How Fleets Can Recruit and Train Veterans for Technician Roles

Here's how the technician shortage has affected uptime for fleets, and what to do about it.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A transparent toll background with the Automotive Fleet logo and Neology logo on top.
Operations•October 5, 2026

Avis Budget Group Deploys Neology Toll Management Technology Across Major Brands

Neology’s neoFleet platform will manage toll transactions and toll-authority operations for vehicles across Avis, Budget, Payless, Budget Truck and Zipcar.

Read More →