Mark F. Petersen, a retired fleet professional whose career spanned more than four decades on both the corporate and supplier sides of the industry, has been named to the Automotive Fleet Hall of Fame.

Petersen worked with organizations including Syneos Health, Element Fleet Management, Getinge, Panasonic, Hourglass/Flexco, and Fleets USA, building experience across fleet management, vehicle transportation, accident management, fuel, remarketing, sales, and business development.

His Hall of Fame candidacy received support from three separate nominations, with nominators highlighting his fleet leadership, industry service, mentoring, and ability to adapt throughout a changing industry.

A Career Across the Fleet Industry

Petersen’s career gave him experience on multiple sides of the fleet business.

His corporate fleet roles included leadership positions at Syneos Health, Getinge, and Panasonic, along with an outsourced assignment through Element Fleet Management supporting Allied Universal. His supplier-side experience included work in vehicle transportation, accident management, fuel cards, remarketing, fleet management, sales, and business development, as well as ownership experience at Fleets USA/PMG.

While supporting Allied Universal, Petersen oversaw a decentralized fleet of more than 8,000 vehicles. He directed a dedicated fleet management company team, managed supplier relationships, and worked with regional leaders on safety, cost, and operating performance.

At Getinge, Petersen helped transform a fragmented fleet operation by introducing a standardized fleet policy and redesigning the vehicle selector. He also led a multi-country fleet management company RFP and transition covering the United States and Canada and served on Getinge’s Global Fleet Policy Task Force.

Advancing Safety and Fleet Performance

At Panasonic, Petersen managed a fleet of more than 900 vehicles and led several initiatives designed to strengthen its operation.

He managed major RFPs, established the company’s first Safety Task Force, and created benchmarking methods for key fleet indicators. He also helped guide vehicle-selection and carbon-reduction decisions during the Volkswagen/Audi emissions crisis.

His experience across corporate and supplier roles gave Petersen a broad view of fleet operations, spanning safety, risk management, remarketing, accident management, analytics, transportation, and outsourced fleet management.

Decades of Industry Service

Petersen’s involvement with the broader fleet industry dates to the 1980s, including decades of support for both NAFA and AFLA.

He served on NAFA’s national board for more than 16 years and held elected, committee-chair, and task-force positions with AFLA. In 2014, AFLA recognized Petersen with its President’s Award.

Petersen also shared his experience as an industry speaker, addressing topics including ethics, benchmarking, safety, risk management, remarketing, and accident management.

A Focus on Mentoring

All three nominations supporting Petersen’s Hall of Fame induction emphasized his mentoring and relationship-building throughout his career.

Nominators described Petersen as a trusted industry resource who adapted alongside changes in fleet and technology, promoted driver safety, and worked to leave fleet programs stronger than he found them.

"I’m humbled by the nominations and induction into this group of fleet luminaries," said Petersen. "I’ve devoted 41 years of my life and career to an industry that has meant the world to me.  They say that when you do something you really enjoy, you never work a day in your life.  I’m lucky enough to say I have lived by that motto throughout my fleet career!  Congratulations to the other winners and finalists as well.  The “Finalists of 2026” are an amazing group!"