In this powerhouse episode of The Fleet Success Show: Fleet Management 101, host Facundo Tassara sits down with Jeffrey Hawthorne, Fleet Manager at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, whose fleet earned the coveted #1 spot on the 100 Best Fleets list. They dive deep into how Jeffrey climbed the ranks from #95 to #1 over a decade, and the leadership, data-driven discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence that fueled the journey.

Jeffrey shares his personal story of transitioning from the U.S. Army to public sector fleet management, the grueling challenges of job hunting, and the unexpected opportunity that changed everything. Most importantly, he outlines how applying annually to the 100 Best Fleets program became the blueprint for continuous improvement in his operation.

This episode is a must-listen for any fleet leader striving to prove their in-house maintenance program's value, maximize resource efficiency, and elevate team morale with measurable progress.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Applying to the 100 Best Fleets is more than a contest, it's a roadmap for growth
• Your first application will be brutal, and that's exactly why you should do it
• Fleet success comes from consistency, measurement, and a relentless drive to improve
• PM compliance is the most critical metric for law enforcement fleets
• Success breeds credibility, morale, and opportunity
• "Start early? No. Start always."

Speaker Bios:

Jeffrey Hawthorne is the Fleet Manager for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. A 26-year U.S. Army veteran, he brings a battlefield-tested mindset to fleet leadership. Under his direction, the fleet climbed from #95 to #1 in the 100 Best Fleets.

Facundo Tassara is a seasoned fleet leader, RTA's VP of Fleet Success, and host of the Fleet Success Show. His mission is to elevate fleet performance across the public and private sectors with actionable strategies and expert insights.