The Fleet Success Show

The Fleet Success Show

By Josh Turley, RTA Fleet, Facundo Tassara, Marc CantonBusinessTechnologyCareersManagement
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The Fleet Success Show episodes

  • Episode 248: Fingerprints, Retinas, and Remote Kill Switches: What’s Really Coming to Your Next Vehicle

    Vehicles are getting smarter, but what does that mean for the people driving and managing them?

    In Episode 248 of **The Fleet Success Show**, Marc Canton and Tony Yankovic talk about new and emerging vehicle technology, including fingerprint and retinal recognition, driver monitoring, connected diagnostics, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and remote vehicle controls.

    They look at both sides of the technology. Some of these features could improve safety, security, and maintenance. At the same time, they raise real questions about privacy, data ownership, cybersecurity, driver trust, and how much control a vehicle should have.

    For fleet leaders, these technologies are worth watching as they become more common in the vehicles entering their fleets.

    Key Takeaways

    - Biometric technology could change how drivers access and interact with vehicles.
    - Driver monitoring may help identify fatigue, distraction, and other safety concerns.
    - Connected vehicles could improve diagnostics, maintenance, and collision prevention.
    - More vehicle data raises questions about who owns it and who can access it.
    - Greater vehicle connectivity brings new cybersecurity risks for fleets.
    - Fleet leaders will need to balance safety and useful technology with privacy, trust, and control.

    Speakers

    Marc Canton is VP of Fleet Strategy at RTA Fleet and host of *The Fleet Success Show*. He brings hands-on fleet and transportation experience to conversations about fleet operations, technology, leadership, and strategy.

    Tony Yankovic is a fleet management expert and regular contributor to *The Fleet Success Show*. He brings decades of practical experience in fleet operations, safety, maintenance, and performance.

    Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

    Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

    Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

    40 min
  • Fleet Management 101: Where Fleet Belongs in Your Organization

    In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, Marc, RTA’s VP of Fleet Strategy, puts Nathan’s 25 years of fleet experience to the test with a provocative question:

    Should one of fleet’s biggest internal customers also be its boss?

    Nathan spent years managing a city fleet that reported through Public Works. He had strong leadership and a positive working relationship—but still experienced some of the structural challenges that can come with the model.

    Marc and Nathan explore how reporting through Public Works can create real or perceived conflicts of interest. If fleet is responsible for objectively serving police, fire, utilities, Public Works, and other departments, what happens when one of those customers also sits above fleet in the organizational chart?

    That question can affect everything from budget allocation and vehicle replacement to maintenance priorities and fleet’s ability to advocate for resources with senior leadership.

    The conversation also exposes another important distinction: Is your organization managing a fleet—or simply managing fleet maintenance?

    Some public-sector organizations have a shop supervisor responsible for technicians and repairs but no dedicated fleet leader overseeing replacement planning, vehicle specifications, lifecycle management, budgeting, standardization, and overall fleet strategy. Without that function, major fleet decisions can become fragmented across departments—or turn into political negotiations rather than objective, data-driven decisions.

    Marc and Nathan make the case that fleet may be better positioned as an independent internal service: serving every department objectively, providing leadership with a clearer picture of true fleet costs and performance, and giving fleet professionals the authority and access they need to lead with confidence.

    But they also acknowledge that successful fleets do operate under Public Works—and they want to hear the other side.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    • Why reporting to an internal fleet customer can create real or perceived conflicts of interest
    • How organizational structure can influence fleet budgets and resource allocation
    • Why vehicle replacement should be a data-driven economic exercise rather than a departmental negotiation
    • The difference between a fleet maintenance operation and a true fleet management organization
    • How organizational independence can improve cost visibility and accountability
    • Why direct access to senior leadership can help fleet leaders advocate for their operation
    • How General Services, Finance, and independent fleet departments compare as potential organizational structures

    Does your fleet report through Public Works? Listen to the full episode and join the conversation about where fleet belongs on the organizational chart.

     

    Speaker Bios

    Marc Canton is Vice President of Fleet Strategy at RTA Fleet, where he helps public-sector fleet leaders improve performance, strengthen decision-making, and build more effective fleet organizations. A recognized fleet strategist and industry thought leader, Marc brings a practical, data-driven perspective to the operational, financial, and organizational challenges facing today’s fleets.

    As a host of The Fleet Success Show, Marc explores the strategies, processes, and leadership principles that help fleet professionals improve stakeholder satisfaction, resource efficiency, culture, and risk management, and ultimately build fleets they’re proud to lead.

     

    Nathan Schafer is a Fleet Consultant at RTA Fleet with approximately 25 years of hands-on fleet experience. He began his career as a technician before advancing into fleet management, where he managed both private-sector and government fleets.

    Nathan joined RTA in 2021, initially working in training before serving in several roles and ultimately moving into fleet consulting. His experience from the shop floor through fleet leadership gives him a practical understanding of the operational and organizational challenges fleet professionals face every day.

    Today, Nathan works with fleet organizations to evaluate their operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and apply proven fleet management practices that help them operate more effectively and build sustainable long-term success.

    Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

    Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

    Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

    23 min
  • Episode 246: The Utilization Debate: Should You Move Vehicles Between Drivers?

    The answer can have significant implications for vehicle replacement planning, residual value, total cost of ownership, warranty coverage, fleet availability, and long-term capital planning.

    Marc Canton is joined by Sara Burnam, Scott Conlon, Drew Morrow, and Jake Johnson to examine the issue from public-sector, consulting, heavy-duty, emergency-management, and fleet-operations perspectives.

    The group explores why low-utilization vehicles can be just as important to identify as high-utilization assets; when reassigning vehicles can protect lifecycle economics; and why simply having two identical vehicles does not necessarily mean they belong in the same lifecycle or utilization class.

    They also examine the human side of utilization management. Drivers and departments can develop a sense of ownership over assigned vehicles, creating what the group calls “switching friction.” That means the mathematically optimal fleet decision may not always be the most practical one. Fleet leaders have to consider the time, political capital, operational disruption, and organizational culture required to make a change.

    The discussion gets especially interesting with specialized assets. Is it financially responsible to move a former patrol vehicle into an administrative role? When does the cost of removing specialized upfits outweigh the savings? Could cycling a heavy-duty truck from high-mileage highway service into lower-mileage city service extend its useful life? And should fleets deliberately maximize vehicle use while an asset is under warranty?

    The central takeaway is not that every fleet should constantly rotate vehicles. It’s that fleet utilization should be actively managed with data rather than allowed to become a blind spot.

    High-performing fleet leaders understand their expected utilization, identify meaningful outliers, evaluate the lifecycle and replacement implications, and then choose the intervention that produces the best outcome for their organization.

    Sometimes that means reassigning an asset. Sometimes it means creating a different utilization class or replacement cycle. And sometimes the operational friction means another strategy makes more sense.

    The important thing is being able to defend the decision with data.

    In This Episode, You'll Learn
    • When vehicle reassignment can improve fleet utilization
    • How utilization affects replacement timing and total cost of ownership
    • Why high-mileage assets can negatively affect residual value
    • How to identify and manage high- and low-utilization outliers
    • When identical vehicles may require different lifecycle strategies
    • Why organizational culture affects asset reassignment
    • How “switching friction” should factor into utilization decisions
    • When specialized vehicles should—or shouldn't—be repurposed
    • How warranty periods can influence utilization strategy
    • Why replacement scoring can help prioritize assets within the same class
    • How better utilization data helps fleet leaders make defensible capital decisions

     

    Speaker BiosMarc Canton — VP of Fleet Strategy, RTA

    Marc Canton serves as VP of Fleet Strategy at RTA and hosts this episode of The Fleet Success Show. He works with RTA's fleet professionals to help fleet leaders examine the operational and financial decisions that affect fleet performance. In this discussion, Marc challenges the panel to move beyond “it depends” and address the economics of utilization, replacement timing, residual value, and total cost of ownership.

    Sara Burnam — Fleet Success Manager, RTA

    Sara is a Fleet Success Manager at RTA with approximately 27 years of fleet industry experience. Her perspective on utilization management is informed by firsthand experience identifying underutilized vehicles, repurposing assets, and avoiding unnecessary replacements. In this episode, she also explores the unique challenges associated with reassigning specialized vehicles such as marked police units.

    Scott Conlon — Fleet Consultant, RTA

    Scott Conlon works on RTA's fleet consulting team and brings approximately 25 years of fleet industry experience to the discussion. He challenges fleets to consider not only the economics of vehicle utilization but also lifecycle classifications, replacement scoring, organizational culture, and the time and effort required to move assets between users.

    Drew Morrow — Fleet Success Manager, RTA

    Drew Morrow is a Fleet Success Manager at RTA with 15 years of experience leading fleets. Drawing on his background in fleet operations and emergency management, Drew examines vehicle reassignment through the lenses of asset use case, operational requirements, remarketing, and the data fleet leaders need to justify utilization decisions.

    Jake Johnson — Fleet Success Manager, RTA

    Jake Johnson is a Fleet Success Manager at RTA with more than 20 years of experience on the heavy-duty commercial side of the fleet industry. His perspective highlights how utilization strategies can differ dramatically by asset type, including situations where heavy-duty vehicles move from high-mileage applications to lower-mileage duty cycles later in their lives.

    CTA

    Fleet leaders shouldn't have to make lifecycle and utilization decisions in the dark.

    RTA Fleet360 helps public fleet leaders bring asset, maintenance, utilization, lifecycle, and cost information together so they can identify fleet blind spots, make better decisions, and confidently stand behind those decisions.

    Build the fleet you're proud to lead.

    Learn more about RTA Fleet360 at rtafleet.com or explore RTA Fleet Consulting at fleetconsulting.com.

    Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

    Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

    Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

    41 min
  • Episode 245: Your Fleet Is Losing Money Without a Chargeback System

    In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, RTA Fleet’s Marc Canton and Marc Knight break down fleet cost allocation, chargebacks, and billing, and explain why these financial practices are about much more than moving money between accounts.

    A properly structured fleet chargeback system helps recover the full cost of operating the fleet, including costs that are easy to overlook. Fuel, for example, costs more than the price paid at the pump. Managing fuel sites, ordering fuel, maintaining infrastructure, and administering the program all contribute to its true cost. The same principle applies to parts, labor, administration, vehicle replacement, and other fleet services.

    But cost recovery is only part of the equation.

    Marc and Marc explain how chargebacks can create greater cost visibility, transparency, and accountability across an organization. When departments can see the financial impact of underutilized vehicles, preventable accidents, missed maintenance, and other operating decisions, fleet costs become a tool for changing behavior, not simply an accounting exercise.

    The conversation also explores the critical difference between cost allocation, chargebacks, and billing. You'll hear why traditional monthly reports can create financial blind spots, how a structured billing workflow creates a more traceable process, and why fleet and finance teams need to agree on customers, account structures, rates, transaction rules, and cost-recovery methodology.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    • What fleet cost allocation is and how it supports chargeback rate development
    • Why fleets need to understand both direct and indirect operating costs
    • How a chargeback system helps fleets recover the true cost of services
    • Why chargebacks can improve vehicle utilization and influence stakeholder behavior
    • How to determine which costs should be fixed versus directly charged
    • Why fleet billing requires more than running a month-end report
    • How billing workflows can improve financial visibility and transaction traceability
    • Why fleet and finance teams should work together when designing a chargeback program
    • What to consider when determining customers, account structures, rates, and billing frequency
    • How stronger fleet financial data can help leaders make better decisions and confidently explain their operation

    Whether you're operating an internal service fund, enterprise fund, public-sector fleet, or another organization that needs to accurately recover fleet costs, this episode provides a practical framework for building a more transparent and defensible approach to fleet finance.

    About the Speakers

    Marc Canton — VP of Fleet Strategy, RTA Fleet
    Marc Canton is Vice President of Fleet Strategy at RTA Fleet and host of The Fleet Success Show. He helps fleet professionals apply proven fleet-management principles to improve operations, make better decisions, and build safe, reliable, and accountable fleets.

    Marc Knight — RTA Fleet
    Marc Knight brings extensive experience in fleet cost allocation, chargeback methodology, billing, and fleet financial management. His work includes helping organizations translate fleet operating costs into practical rates and billing processes that support cost recovery, accountability, and better financial visibility.

    Build a Fleet You’re Proud to Lead

    Fleet leaders shouldn't have to operate with financial blind spots. Clear, defensible fleet data makes it easier to understand where money is going, explain costs to stakeholders, make better budgeting decisions, and confidently stand behind your operation.

    RTA Fleet360 brings fleet operations, maintenance, budgeting, lifecycle planning, reporting, and accountability into a purpose-built fleet management system designed for public-sector and in-house fleets.

    Learn more about RTA Fleet360 at rtafleet.com.

    Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

    Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

    Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

    33 min
  • Episode 244: From Commodore 64 to Ask Ron360: Marc Knight on 35 Years of Building Fleet Software

    What happens when a guy who wanted to be a city planner ends up running a food distributor's delivery trucks, gets mentored by two of the most influential minds in fleet consulting, and spends the next three decades building the software that public fleets run on? You get this episode.

    Marc Canton sits down with Marc Knight, who works on RTA's product, roadmap, and enterprise team, for a career-spanning conversation that covers how AI is closing the fleet analyst gap, why dashboards only tell you what already happened, what managed competition actually means for public fleets, and how RTA's new billing module is taking manual ERP reconciliation off fleet managers' plates. 

    In this episode:

    • How Marc Knight backed into fleet through a food distributor's delivery routing problem
    • Getting mentored by fleet legends Paul Lauria and Chip Taggart at the start of managed competition consulting
    • What "managed competition" means and why public fleets still use it today
    • Why AI may finally solve the industry's toughest staffing gap: skilled fleet analysts
    • Why dashboards are a rearview mirror and what a forward-looking alternative looks like
    • The parallels between building RTA Fleet360 today and building the first web-based fleet system 20 years ago
    • Why AI should be a tool that helps you decide, not the thing that decides for you
    • A first look at how RTA's new billing module automates ERP chargebacks with an AI-supported rules engine
    • Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

      Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

      Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

      48 min
    • Episode 243: Every Work Order Should End With an Inspection

      Should every fleet maintenance work order end with an inspection? Yes—but that doesn’t mean every vehicle needs a full preventive maintenance inspection every time it enters the shop.

      In Episode 243 of The Fleet Success Show, host Marc Canton talks with Drew Morrow, Fleet Success Manager at RTA Fleet, about why an appropriate inspection should be part of every fleet work order—and how documented inspection standards can help fleets catch problems earlier, improve quality control, mitigate risk, and return safer, more reliable assets to service.

      The principle is simple: If a vehicle is already in your shop, take the opportunity to look at it.

      In This Episode, You’ll Learn
      • Why every fleet work order should include an appropriate inspection
      • How to determine the right inspection scope based on the asset and repair
      • Why technicians shouldn't develop “blinders” around the original work order complaint
      • How inspection checklists create consistent expectations for technicians
      • Why QA/QC matters when vehicles return from outside maintenance vendors
      • How documented inspections and maintenance records support risk mitigation
      • Why PM compliance and asset history should influence inspection decisions
      • How inspections can improve fleet availability and stakeholder confidence
      • Why fleet leaders should view inspections as part of their responsibility for vehicle safety and stewardship
      • Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

        Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

        Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

        33 min
      • Episode 242: Rethinking the Modern Motor Pool

        Every motor pool eventually hits the same wall: you either buy enough vehicles to cover your busiest day, or you accept that some days you'll come up short. On this episode of The Fleet Success Show, host Marc Canton (VP of Product and Consulting at RTA Fleet) sits down with Sebastian Reszka, who leads public sector sales at Uber, to talk about a third option: using Uber for Business as a flex layer on top of your existing motor pool.

        Sebastian explains what Uber for Business actually offers government and education fleets, how billing, vehicle-class restrictions, time windows, and destination controls work, and why Uber aims to roll a new program out in under a week. Marc and Sebastian also get into RTA's 80/20 rule of thumb for motor pool sizing, real public-sector rollouts (GSA, Long Beach, Portland), and whether micro-mobility (yes, scooters) is coming to fleet programs next.

        Timestamps
        • 00:00 Cold open
        • 00:17 Welcome and introductions
        • 01:27 Sebastian's path to Uber's public sector team
        • 04:27 What Uber for Business actually offers fleets
        • 05:43 What is a "motor pool," for anyone new to the term
        • 07:45 The "virtual fleet" concept: augmenting, not replacing
        • 09:02 RTA's 80/20 rule of thumb for motor pool sizing
        • 10:26 How a rollout actually works
        • 12:22 Is the driver included? Clearing up a common assumption
        • 14:54 The managed vs. unmanaged travel program analogy
        • 16:05 Program controls: billing, vehicle class, time, destination
        • 17:15 The data advantage over expense reimbursement
        • 20:24 The "second most common expense line item" joke
        • 21:25 Monthly invoicing and tax exemption for public agencies
        • 22:16 Where Uber for Business is available (70+ countries)
        • 24:11 Why public-sector interest is accelerating
        • 25:05 Real rollouts: GSA, Long Beach, and Portland
        • 26:29 Why universities are one of the fastest-growing segments
        • 27:47 Could scooters and micro-mobility be next?
        • 30:12 Marc's advice: pilot it, don't dictate it
        • 32:07 "Be the service provider, not the fleet czar"
        • 33:42 Why Uber wants to meet fleet software where it already lives
        • 35:22 How fast a program can actually launch
        • 35:48 How to get in touch with Sebastian's team
        • Got a question for Marc or Sebastian, or an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected].

          RTA Fleet360 helps public fleet leaders eliminate fleet blind spots with software built specifically for how public fleets operate. Learn more at rtafleet.com.

          #FleetManagement #PublicFleet #MotorPool #UberForBusiness #GovernmentFleet #FleetSuccessShow

          Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

          Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

          Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

          39 min
        • Episode 241: How Utah Built the Most Centralized Fleet in America

          Fleet may be a small world, but Utah shows just how powerful that network can become.

          In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, Marc Canton is joined by Steve Saltzgiver and Nathan Schafer to look back at decades of fleet management in Utah and the systems, relationships, and leadership that helped shape the state’s fleet community.

          Steve shares the story of his time with the State of Utah, including the expansion of its fuel network and the effort to consolidate roughly 30 independent state fleets. Nathan reflects on his years managing fleets in the Salt Lake Valley and how Utah’s network of fleet professionals gave managers a place to compare notes, solve problems, challenge vendors, and learn from experienced leaders.

          The conversation also comes full circle as the group discusses RTA’s partnership with the State of Utah Division of Fleet Operations and the connections that brought their careers together years later.

          They also dig into a bigger lesson for fleet leaders everywhere: you don’t have to figure everything out alone.

          Strong fleet communities create opportunities to benchmark performance, challenge assumptions, share hard-earned knowledge, and ultimately build better operations.

          In this episode, you’ll hear about:

          • How Utah developed a highly centralized state fleet operation
          • The history behind Utah’s statewide fuel network
          • Consolidating roughly 30 independent fleet operations
          • Why a common fleet management system matters
          • How collaboration between neighboring fleet managers solves real operational problems
          • The value of comparing vehicle, vendor, and maintenance experiences
          • Why benchmarking can motivate continuous improvement
          • How mentors and experienced fleet professionals accelerate career development
          • Why strong professional communities can elevate an entire region’s fleet performance
          • If you lead a public fleet, this episode is a reminder that fleet success isn’t built through software or processes alone. It also comes from the people, expertise, systems, and relationships that help you continuously improve.

            Build the fleet you’re proud to lead.

             

            Marc Canton

            Marc Canton is Vice President of Fleet Strategy at RTA Fleet and host of The Fleet Success Show, where he brings together experienced fleet professionals to share practical lessons that help fleet leaders strengthen their operations and lead with confidence.

             

            Steve Saltzgiver

            Steve Saltzgiver is a veteran fleet leader and consultant with decades of public-sector fleet experience, including leadership roles with West Jordan City, Utah Transit Authority, and the State of Utah. As Utah’s Director of Fleet Operations, he helped lead efforts to consolidate the state’s fleet operations and strengthen its shared fleet infrastructure.

             

            Nathan Schafer

            Nathan Schafer is an experienced public-sector fleet professional and member of the RTA Fleet team. He previously spent six years leading fleet operations for Sandy City, Utah, and brings firsthand experience in fleet management, peer collaboration, and operational improvement.

            Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

            Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

            Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

            18 min
          • Episode 240: Is AI Replacing a Decades-Old Profession?

            Is AI really coming for fleet technicians? Or is it about to make them more valuable than ever?

            Recorded live from the Government Fleet Expo (GFX) in Long Beach, California, Marc Canton and Facundo Tassara have an unscripted conversation covering the biggest trends shaping the future of fleet management. From artificial intelligence and robotics to technician shortages, fleet analytics, benchmarking, leadership development, and government fleet collaboration, this episode explores what public fleet leaders should be paying attention to over the next five years.

            The discussion goes beyond AI hype to examine how artificial intelligence will transform diagnostics, analytics, and decision-making—not replace experienced fleet professionals. Marc and Facundo also reflect on lessons from GFX, why Florida government fleets consistently rank among the nation's best, how collaboration drives operational excellence, and why future fleet leaders will need stronger business and leadership skills than ever before.

            Whether you're a fleet manager, maintenance supervisor, public works leader, or municipal executive, this episode offers practical insights into how technology, data, and leadership are reshaping the fleet industry.

            Key Takeaways
            • AI will augment—not simply replace—fleet technicians. The hosts predict AI-powered robotics and intelligent diagnostic systems will eventually handle repetitive maintenance tasks while skilled technicians focus on higher-level problem solving.
            • Context matters more than data alone. AI can analyze fleet information quickly, but fleet professionals must still provide operational context to make good decisions.
            • Fleet analytics are evolving. Traditional utilization metrics like miles driven often fail to tell the complete story. Future fleet management will rely on mission-based performance metrics instead of simple mileage.
            • Leadership skills are becoming essential. As technicians advance into supervisory and management roles, communication, coaching, and strategic thinking become just as important as technical expertise.
            • Collaboration creates stronger fleets. Government fleets that openly share ideas, purchasing strategies, emergency planning, and operational best practices consistently achieve better results.
            • AI requires healthy skepticism. The hosts demonstrate how AI tools can occasionally provide incorrect information, reinforcing the importance of validating AI-generated answers.
            • Fleet managers need better storytelling. Data alone isn't enough—leaders must communicate performance in ways executives and elected officials understand.
            • Industry relationships accelerate innovation. Conferences like GFX provide opportunities to exchange ideas that can significantly improve fleet operations and professional growth.
            • Topics Covered
              • Artificial Intelligence in fleet maintenance
              • Will robots replace mechanics?
              • Government Fleet Expo (GFX) insights
              • Public fleet leadership
              • Technician shortages
              • Fleet benchmarking
              • Fleet KPIs and analytics
              • Fleet utilization metrics
              • Preventive maintenance
              • Government fleet collaboration
              • Professional development
              • Fleet conferences
              • Data-driven decision making
              • Fleet management technology
              • Future of public sector fleets
              • Who Should Listen?

                This episode is valuable for:

                • Fleet Managers
                • Fleet Directors
                • Public Works Directors
                • Municipal Leaders
                • Fleet Maintenance Supervisors
                • Shop Managers
                • Government Fleet Professionals
                • Fleet Consultants
                • Operations Leaders
                • Anyone interested in AI's impact on maintenance operations
                • Speaker Bios
                  Marc Canton

                  Marc Canton serves as Vice President of Fleet Success at RTA Fleet and is an award-winning fleet management leader with extensive experience leading public sector fleet operations. He works closely with fleet organizations across North America, helping them improve fleet performance, increase asset availability, strengthen leadership capabilities, and leverage technology to eliminate operational blind spots. Marc regularly speaks at fleet industry conferences and co-hosts The Fleet Success Show, where he shares practical strategies for modern fleet management.

                  Facundo Tassara

                  Facundo Tassara is a fleet industry leader at RTA Fleet who works directly with fleet organizations to improve operational performance and share best practices across the industry. Through consulting, customer engagement, and industry events, he helps public sector fleets solve operational challenges, adopt emerging technologies, and build stronger maintenance organizations. Facundo frequently co-hosts The Fleet Success Show, bringing practical, experience-based insights to conversations on fleet leadership and innovation.

                  Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

                  Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

                  Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

                  50 min
                • Episode 239: I Was Wrong About EVs: A Fleet Vet’s Shocking AI & EV Turnaround

                  What happens when a longtime fleet leader admits they were completely wrong about electric vehicles?

                  In Episode 239 of The Fleet Success Show, Facundo Tassara sits down with Jen Brown, Facilities and Fleet Section Director for the City of Flagstaff, to discuss one of the biggest mindset shifts happening in public fleet today.

                  After spending decades believing EVs weren't the future of fleet management, Jen shares why real-world experience changed her perspective—and why keeping an open mind may be one of the most important leadership skills in today's rapidly evolving fleet industry.

                  The conversation also dives deep into how artificial intelligence is transforming fleet operations. Jen explains how she used AI to tackle an entirely new department with confidence, the framework every fleet professional should use before trusting AI-generated information, and how leaders can leverage AI without sacrificing authenticity or accountability.

                  Beyond technology, Jen reflects on her leadership journey—from 911 dispatcher and police support services to leading public fleet operations—and shares practical advice on earning trust, building high-performing shop cultures, advocating for technicians, and helping fleet teams feel seen and valued.

                  Whether you're evaluating EVs, exploring AI, leading technicians, or simply looking to become a stronger fleet leader, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

                  In this episode, you'll learn:
                  • Why Jen Brown completely changed her mind about electric vehicles
                  • How AI is helping fleet leaders solve real operational challenges
                  • The VOCA framework for using AI responsibly in fleet management
                  • Why leadership is about advocating for your technicians—not managing them
                  • How to build trust and improve shop culture
                  • Common mistakes fleet professionals make when adopting AI
                  • Practical ways to communicate fleet value to executive leadership
                  • Why listening may be the most underrated leadership skill in fleet
                  • If you're responsible for public works, municipal fleet management, government fleet operations, fleet maintenance, or shop leadership, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you lead with greater confidence.

                     

                     

                    Speaker Bios
                    Jen Brown

                    Jen Brown is the Facilities and Fleet Section Director for the City of Flagstaff, Arizona, where she oversees municipal fleet operations, facilities, and custodial services. Beginning her public service career as a records clerk before becoming a 911 dispatcher, Jen spent more than two decades with the Flagstaff Police Department before transitioning into fleet leadership.

                    Known for her people-first leadership style, Jen is passionate about developing strong shop cultures, empowering technicians, embracing innovation, and helping public fleet organizations adopt emerging technologies like artificial intelligence responsibly. She frequently speaks on leadership, women in fleet, and practical AI applications for public sector operations.

                    Facundo Tassara

                    Facundo Tassara is the host of The Fleet Success Show and Director of Marketing at RTA Fleet. He interviews leading fleet professionals, industry experts, and innovators to uncover practical strategies that help fleet leaders improve operations, develop their teams, and build fleets they're proud to lead. His work focuses on leadership, fleet technology, organizational culture, and advancing the fleet profession.

                    Looking to take the next step to fleet success? Start by requesting your free copy of The Fleet Success Playbook. Written by fleet professionals for fleet professionals, the Playbook breaks down the four key pillars of fleet success, and gives you the tools you need to build a truly great fleet.

                    Request your free (yes, really, free!) copy here: https://rtafleet.com/resources/fleet-success-playbook?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

                    Control fleet chaos with RTA Fleet360, proven software designed by fleet managers for fleet managers: https://rtafleet.com/book-a-demo?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=footer_notes&utm_campaign=episode_213

                    37 min

                  About The Fleet Success Show

                  From the publisher's feed

                  Welcome to the Fleet Success Show, a podcast dedicated to talking about the fundamentals, standards, and best practices that empower today's fleets to achieve fleet success. Let's get into the show!

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