Mile Marker

In this episode, Tarek Abdel Baset, Director of Business Development for Hydrogen Storage Systems at Forvia, discusses the evolving role of hydrogen in clean mobility. Drawing on over two decades in the automotive industry—including his work with Stellantis, Fiat Chrysler, and the U.S. Department of Energy—Tarek breaks down why hydrogen is gaining momentum alongside battery electric solutions. He explores real-world use cases from commercial vans to transit buses and Class 8 trucks, explains how modular fueling infrastructure is shaping the future, and clears up long-standing safety myths. The conversation also dives into how policy, business needs, and engineering realities are aligning to make hydrogen a viable option—especially for heavy-duty and high-uptime fleets. Whether you're an energy skeptic or an alt-fuel advocate, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what’s possible for zero-emission transportation.

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In this episode, special guest host Jamye Carpenter joins the Mile Marker podcast live from the CAR Conference in San Diego for an insightful conversation with Sheila Tedesco, remarketing manager at Lobel Financial and co-founder of GROW (Global Remarketing Opportunities for Women). Sheila shares her journey from selling cars on a small lot to leading a nationwide remarketing team, and how the auto finance and remarketing industry is evolving amid rising fraud and AI disruption.

The discussion dives into the complexities of transportation fraud, the double-edged sword of AI in automotive finance, and the importance of cross-industry collaboration and training to effectively use these new tools. Sheila also shares how GROW is empowering women in this traditionally male-dominated field through mentorship, leadership development, and community.

With her signature energy, Sheila wraps things up by revealing her love for live music and offering a rallying cry for connection, empowerment, and growth—on and off the auction lot.

https://ridecell.com/
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In this episode of the Mile Marker podcast, Dave Blake, Executive Director of the Independent Auction Group, shares his unexpected journey from maintenance worker to leading voice in the independent auction industry. He reflects on leadership lessons, adapting to new markets, and how culture shapes auction operations. Blake also discusses IAG’s mission to support independents through collaboration, technology, and inclusion—while emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and staying future-focused in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
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In this episode of Mile Marker, Dr. Henriette Cornet, a leader in sustainable urban mobility, discusses her journey from engineering to revolutionizing public transit through AI-driven insights. Her company, Urban Innovate, focuses on understanding rider preferences and breaking down misconceptions that deter transit usage. She highlights how transit agencies often overlook non-riders and emphasizes the need for targeted strategies to boost ridership. Dr. Cornet also explores the role of autonomous vehicles in solving first-mile/last-mile challenges and the potential of AI to personalize transit experiences. She advocates for stronger public-private collaboration to create efficient, accessible, and desirable transit systems worldwide.

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
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This episode of Mile Marker explores the evolving landscape of fleet technology with Paul Clinton, publisher of Fleet Tech Business Insider. The discussion covers the wave of mergers and acquisitions reshaping the industry as companies consolidate to offer end-to-end solutions. Paul highlights the growing role of AI in fleet management, from real-time driver alerts to generative AI copilots for customer support. He also examines challenges such as driver privacy concerns and the increasing focus on risk management. Looking ahead, AI-driven insights and dynamic insurance pricing are set to transform fleet operations and cost control.

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
https://twitter.com/ridecell

In this episode of the Mile Marker podcast, we talk with Jessica Gonzalez, VP of Customer Success in Lending at Informed IQ. Jessica shares insights from her extensive experience in lending and fintech, highlighting shifts in auto financing, digital transformation, and the evolving role of AI. She discusses rising interest rates, changing consumer demands, and the need for greater transparency in digital retailing. Jessica also touches on fraud prevention, regulatory developments, and the growing acceptance of data-sharing for financial security. The conversation underscores the dynamic landscape of auto lending and the importance of adapting to industry trends.

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
https://twitter.com/ridecell

This episode of the Mile Marker podcast explores the evolving landscape of fleet electrification with Selinay Filiz Parlak, co-founder and COO of BlueDot. The discussion covers the challenges fleets face in transitioning to EVs, including fragmented charging infrastructure, evolving regulations, and the role of AI in optimizing fleet operations. Selinay shares insights on home charging reimbursement, public charging accessibility, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. The conversation also touches on the future of sustainability goals amid shifting policies.

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
https://twitter.com/ridecell

In this episode of the Mile Marker podcast, we speak with Mark Hazel, Associate Director for Commercial Vehicle Reporting at S&P Global Mobility. The conversation dives into electrification trends in the commercial vehicle industry, highlighting significant growth in EV adoption by fleets, which has risen from 8% in 2021 to nearly 20% by late 2024. Factors like regulatory incentives, operational efficiencies, and innovative OEM strategies are driving this adoption, with Rivian emerging as a leader in EV cargo vans.

Mark discusses the strategic pivot of OEM captives toward fleet management, emphasizing Ford Pro's success through granular data use and integrated telematics solutions. The conversation explores post-pandemic impacts, including supply chain disruptions that extended vehicle lifespans and spurred creative fleet utilization, such as repurposing vehicles and embracing shared mobility models.

Looking ahead, Mark touches on the future of autonomous fleets, with potential applications beyond ride-hailing and delivery services, such as enhancing technician productivity and reducing operational costs. The discussion wraps with insights into alternative fuels, including hydrogen and compressed natural gas (CNG), and their growing role in heavy-duty fleet applications.

The episode provides a comprehensive view of the evolving fleet landscape, offering data-driven insights and a glimpse into the future of mobility and sustainability.

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
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In this episode, Ashok Sundararajan, Global Head of Product at Ridecell, discusses how leasing and fleet companies are navigating the shift toward electrification while tackling operational complexity. He shares how Ridecell 360 helps solve industry-wide challenges by providing real-time vehicle visibility, orchestrating workflows, and enabling self-serve digital experiences. Hear how companies like Merchants are transforming short-term rental operations with automation—boosting efficiency, reducing idle time, and enhancing the customer experience across the vehicle lifecycle.

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
https://twitter.com/ridecell

As we kick off 2025, the mobility and fleet management landscape is set for significant shifts. In this episode, co-hosts Angela Simoes and Mark Thomas discuss what’s ahead and share insights from some of our past podcast guests.

Joining us in this conversation are industry experts Stephan Zech (Bain & Company), Partha Goswami (PG Mobility Insights), Sherry Calkins (Geotab), Jay Wertzberger (ATI Auto Business Show), Trent Gifford (Independent Car Rental Association), Jeffrey DeCoux (Autonomy Institute), Ed Garston (Forbes), and Jason Kraus (Mike Albert). They offer their perspectives on the biggest trends shaping 2025, from technological advancements to shifting market dynamics.

Tune in as we break down their predictions and discuss how fleets, automakers, and mobility companies can navigate the changes ahead. Don’t miss this insightful discussion!

https://ridecell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridecell/
https://twitter.com/ridecell