In this episode, industry fleet leaders get candid about what actually makes a vendor relationship succeed — and what guarantees it will fail. From customer service frustrations and technology breakdowns to RFQs, change management, and the growing impact of turnover across the industry, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the real operational challenges fleet managers are navigating every day.

Recorded live at the Fleet Forward Conference, host Chris Brown sits down with Mark Booker of Nashville Electric Service, Kimberly Fisher of NOV, and Jim Petrillo of Fujifilm to discuss the importance of communication, accountability, long-term partnerships, and why trust matters more than flashy sales pitches.

The panel also dives into:

• Why customer service can make or break vendor relationships
• The hidden operational costs of poor communication
• Managing new technology adoption across large fleets
• How fleet managers evaluate ROI beyond price alone
• What vendors consistently misunderstand about fleet operations
• The growing need for succession planning and industry knowledge transfer
• Real-world perspectives on EV charging challenges, telematics, and fleet tech implementation

Whether you're a fleet manager, supplier, OEM, or technology provider, this episode offers practical insight into the expectations, frustrations, and priorities shaping modern fleet operations.

🎧 Listen now to hear what fleet leaders are really looking for in their vendor partnerships — and the conversations the industry needs to be having next.