Automotive Fleet magazine is excited to announce the 2025 nominees for the Fleet Hall of Fame. 

The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees will be announced at the AFLA Conference, taking place September 14-17, 2025, at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Florida, and will be featured in the Q4 issue of Automotive Fleet magazine.

Voting ends on July 22.

Individuals inducted to the Hall of Fame are recognized for their hard work and dedication, driven by innovation and their contributions to the profession. They have significantly shaped the commercial fleet management industry through leadership, innovation, and dedication.

The Fleet Hall of Fame, sponsored by AFLA, was inaugurated in 2008 to recognize individuals who have significantly shaped the commercial fleet management industry through leadership, innovation, and dedication. The inaugural year saw 20 founding members inducted.

Inductees are selected by their peers through an online ballot. You may vote for the nominees by clicking this link. It also appears at the end of the article.

This year, a judging committee will also decide the three inductees. 

Hall of Fame Judges for 2025

• Ed Peper, Hall of Fame inductee, General Motors (retired)

• John Ruppert, Hall of Fame inductee, Adrian Steel 

• Theresa Belding, Hall of Fame inductee, Cavis

• Matt Betz, Hall of Fame inductee, retired 

• Jen Costabile, General Motors

Introducing the 2025 Nominees

In no particular order, the 16 nominees are: 

Brandie Cotton

• NESCO, Premier Truck Rental

• Years in Fleet: 21+

Brandie Cotton – Premier Truck Rental, formerly NESCO
With over two decades in fleet rentals, Brandie Cotton's rise from office manager to Vice President of Sales is a testament to her adaptability, grit, and leadership. At Premier Truck Rental, she has built and empowered a nationwide sales team serving utilities and contractors. Known for bridging technical expertise with customer-centric solutions, particularly in a male-dominated industry, she continues to challenge industry norms and stereotypes while advancing rental fleet operations. Her leadership is rooted in empathy, speed, and solution-focused thinking, making her a powerful advocate for both customers and employees. Cotton’s impact is industry-wide: from product knowledge to empowering cross-department collaboration, she is shaping the next generation of customer solutions providers.

Jill Porter

• NESCO, Premier Truck Rental

• Years in Fleet: 12

Jill Porter – Premier Truck Rental, formerly NESCO
Jill Porter’s career arc in IT and logistics has made her a force for operational transformation in the fleet space. Now Vice President of IT at PTR, Jill has led significant advancements in automation and data integration, including the pivotal rollout of FleetWave. She founded the Continuous Improvement team to fuel innovation across departments and enhance fleet performance for PTR customers. Her efforts have resulted in stronger optimization tools and reduced idle times. Porter’s vision is helping redefine what technology can do for fleets and customers alike, setting a new standard for IT leadership in the industry.

Kimberly Fisher

• National Oilwell Varco (NOV)

• Years in Fleet: 24

Kimberly Fisher – National Oilwell Varco (NOV)
With 24 years in fleet and more than 14 with NOV, Kimberly Fisher has steered global fleet operations with strategic foresight. A two-time industry award recipient, Kimberly is known for her collaborative leadership and her contributions to national advisory boards, including General Motors and Element. She brings deep operational knowledge and a consultative mindset to every challenge. Her professional impact extends beyond operations into thought leadership, industry engagement, and the mentoring of peers in the fleet community. Her contributions have been recognized through prestigious honors, including the 2021 Global Fleet Visionary Award and the 2023 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year Award.

Suresh Rajapakse

• Wheels

• Years in Fleet: 20+

Suresh Rajapakse – Wheels
A leader known for empowering others, Suresh Rajapakse exemplifies servant leadership. With a career rooted in transformation and inclusion, Suresh is celebrated not only for his operational impact but for inspiring those around him. Peers describe him as the kind of leader they would choose to work for without hesitation. His leadership style prioritizes recognition and growth for others—driving business forward while ensuring every voice on the team is heard and valued.

Oleg Cytowicz

• Unilever, Volvo Cars USA

• Years in Fleet: 36

Oleg Cytowicz – Unilever Retired / Former OEM Sales Account Manager
Oleg Cytowicz has been at the forefront of global fleet transformation for over three decades. At Unilever, he pioneered global policy frameworks that harmonized diverse regional programs, delivering significant operational efficiencies and cost savings. Oleg also served on Unilever’s Global Fleet Council and as Global Automotive Fleet Lead for North America. A sought-after speaker, Oleg has led dialogue on procurement strategy, risk management, driver wellbeing, and sustainability. His mentorship and openness have made him a cornerstone in the fleet profession. Among his accolades: the Larry Goill Award, a fleet manager of the year nomination, and a selection to the inaugural class of NAFA Fellows.

Lisa Kneggs

• Farmers Bros.

• Years in Fleet: 33

Lisa Kneggs – Farmer Brothers
Lisa Kneggs' 33-year fleet career stands out for its operational excellence and human impact. At Farmer Brothers, she has led safety, compliance, and sustainability efforts while mentoring peers and elevating industry standards. Known for her integrity, intelligence, and collaboration, Lisa’s legacy is one of transformative leadership. Her work has not only driven measurable efficiencies and cost savings but also helped shape the future of ethical and effective fleet management.

Alberto Mancillas Flores

• ABB

• Years in Fleet: 10+

Alberto Mancillas Flores – ABB
As a champion of EV adoption in diverse markets across the Americas, Alberto Mancillas has turned complex challenges into actionable strategies. From North America and Mexico to Brazil, he has aligned infrastructure, policy, and culture to support sustainable transportation. His creation of expert task groups and focus on adaptability exemplify a best-practices approach to fleet electrification. Mancillas is a key figure driving the clean mobility transition.

Carl A. Nelson

• AT&T, AM-Liner East

• Years in Fleet: 21

Carl A. Nelson – AT&T, AM-Liner East
With management of over 5,000 vehicles at his peak, Carl Nelson’s influence spans decades. A three-time Goill Award recipient and two-time Fleet Manager of the Year nominee, his contributions include fleet rightsizing (saving $3.7m), training, insurance reform, vendor collaboration, and spec optimization. His work has generated millions in cost savings and served as a blueprint for large-scale operations nationwide.

Ian Gardner

• EVAI

• Years in Fleet: 10

Ian Gardner – EVAI
A pioneer in Fleet-as-a-Service and commercial EV deployment, Ian Gardner has helped redefine fleet electrification strategies for modern operators. At the OEM level, he led the $130 million rollout of EVs and charging infrastructure to FedEx, setting a precedent for scalable zero-emissions delivery. As CEO of EVAI, Gardner now assists fleets and dealers in navigating connected vehicle data, improving retention, and future-proofing operations through diagnostic tools and customer-first engagement strategies. His work continues to elevate EV viability in commercial use cases across the country.

Debbie Boyce

• Reindeer Logistics, LeasePlan USA, Cox Automotive, Autotrader, Manheim

• Years in Fleet: 40+

Debbie Boyce – Reindeer Logistics, formerly Cox Automotive, LeasePlan USA
With 40+ years of leadership in fleet and automotive services, Debbie Boyce has driven strategy, growth, and culture change across top-tier organizations. At Reindeer Logistics, she launched the Fleet Relocation business, securing major contracts and partnerships. At Cox Automotive, she boosted net results by 30% while earning a 95.9% employee engagement score. Her reputation as a servant leader is well-earned, and her legacy is defined by measurable impact, cross-functional collaboration, and unshakable commitment to her teams and customers.

Tara Talley

• GM Financial Fleet Solutions, Enterprise Fleet Management

• Years in Fleet: 20

Tara Talley – GM Financial Fleet Solutions, formerly Enterprise Fleet Management
Tara Talley has blazed trails as the first female director of fleet management at Enterprise and as a key architect of GM Financial's Fleet Solutions program. She played a critical role in reshaping how GM Business Elite dealers serve their commercial clients. Talley is recognized for building team culture and operational frameworks from the ground up. Her mentorship has helped shape careers across the industry, and her influence has directly supported dealer profitability and fleet growth.

Rob Reyes

• Zenith Agribusiness

• Years in Fleet: 44

Rob Reyes – Zenith Agribusiness
Rob Reyes is a leading voice in fleet safety advocacy. Through webinars, consulting, and published writing, he has educated operators, insurers, and fleet owners on distracted driving, telematics, and safe equipment transport. Reyes has developed programs targeting new drivers and actively serves on safety committees. His lifelong commitment to road safety has made him a transformative figure in both insurance and operational circles.

Louis Pastras

• ARI, Holman, Mercedes-Benz USA

• Years in Fleet: 40

Louis Pastras – ARI, Mercedes-Benz USA
A visionary connector and fleet innovator, Louis Pastras played a pivotal role in early Sprinter integration at FedEx and streamlined upfitting logistics across OEM platforms. He led leasing deals that shaped commercial van strategy nationally. Pastras is widely known for mentoring emerging leaders and for his behind-the-scenes generosity that’s lifted others both personally and professionally.

Allen Brooks

• Parks Ford, Parks Lincoln

• Years in Fleet: 51

Allen Brooks – Parks Ford and Lincoln
With a fleet sales legacy dating back to 1975, Allen Brooks was a national top-seller for Lincoln in the 1980s and helped scale commercial sales at Parks Ford. In 1984 alone, the dealership sold 3,300 units following his strategic sales expansion. His 50-year tenure reflects unmatched industry loyalty and a customer-first ethic that shaped decades of success.

Dave Durepo

• Superior Chevrolet

• Years in Fleet: 47

Dave Durepo – Superior Chevrolet
A past AFLA president and champion of cross-border collaboration, Dave Durepo has elevated fleet industry unity and courtesy delivery best practices. His role in founding the AFLA Canada Summit and organizing AFLA’s 50th anniversary celebration reflects his dedication to industry growth. A tireless advocate of the Ed Bobit vision, Durepo’s career continues to inspire global outreach in fleet.

Laura Jozwiak

• Wheels

• Years in Fleet: 29

Laura Jozwiak – Wheels
Laura Jozwiak’s 29-year tenure at Wheels includes pivotal roles during mergers, cultural transitions, and strategic reinvention. As former Chief Client Officer, she helped unify operations during the Wheels-Donlen-LeasePlan merger. Her leadership transformed the client experience into a data-powered service model. Jozwiak has served in nearly every leadership capacity within AFLA and WIFM, and was the first affiliate member to earn NAFA’s CAFM certification. She serves on civic boards and champions education and inclusion through community work. Her blend of industry insight, mentorship, and purpose-driven leadership make her a standout not only for this year—but for the Hall’s enduring legacy.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

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