In this Fleet Management 101 edition of The Fleet Success Show, host Facundo Tassara sits down with Brendan Hunt, Assistant Fleet Service and Facility Manager for Fairfax County, Virginia, home to one of the largest and most diverse government fleets in the country.

Brendan shares the real, raw journey of his path from turning wrenches as a tech in a gas station to leading standardization, training, and quality assurance across a 6,000+ unit fleet. With humor and humility, Brendan recounts his early missteps as a new supervisor, the painful but necessary leadership lessons, and his passion for documenting processes to leave a legacy of systems over individuals.

This episode is a blueprint for new and aspiring fleet leaders who want to grow beyond the garage floor. Whether you're currently a tech or a new supervisor looking to get your bearings, Brendan's story offers both inspiration and practical takeaways.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is About People, Not Just Performance: Making the leap from tech to supervisor means learning to motivate, mentor, and communicate.
• Process Over Heroics: Brendan learned the hard way that success isn’t about being the hero—it’s about building repeatable systems.
• Document Everything: SOPs and written processes create stability, especially when team members move between facilities or roles.
• Standardization Matters: From fleet assets to shop equipment, reducing variability drives safety, efficiency, and faster training.
• Every Shop is a Classroom: Brendan used each role and shop as a learning opportunity, building a foundation that made him a better leader.
• Listen First, Lead Second: Real change happens when leaders stop talking and start observing and engaging.

Speaker Bios:

Brendan Hunt

Assistant Fleet Service and Facility Manager, Fairfax County, VA

Brendan oversees training and quality assurance for Fairfax County’s 6,000+ unit fleet. He began his journey as a technician in 2007 and has worked in nearly every shop and section across the county, eventually rising into leadership roles where he now focuses on standardization and long-term fleet improvement.

Facundo Tassara

Fleet Success Ambassador, RTA: The Fleet Success Company

Facundo brings deep public fleet experience and a passion for coaching the next generation of fleet professionals. He leads RTA’s educational initiatives, including the Fleet Success Playbook, webinars, and Fleet Management 101 series.

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 

In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, Marc Canton is joined by Lincey Araya, Fleet Services and Field Program Manager at the University of South Florida, to explore one of the most pressing challenges in university and government fleets: centralization.

Lincey shares her bold journey of transforming a fragmented, underperforming campus fleet operation into a unified and efficient service-based model. Facing pushback, budget turf wars, and deep-seated "we've always done it this way" culture, Lincey challenged the status quo and built a collaborative, data-driven operation that now services more than 25% of campus assets and continues to grow.

Through grit, relationship-building, and sharp analytical thinking, she reveals how she created a path for department-level fleets to "opt-in," developed a phased motor pool strategy, and partnered with procurement to prevent unnecessary purchases. If you're a fleet manager trying to justify your in-house shop, boost utilization, or prove ROI to leadership, this episode is packed with gold.

Key Takeaways:

• How decentralization kills efficiency, especially in higher ed
• Strategies for overcoming resistance to change
• Turning "impossible" into a phased, opt-in solution
• Why stakeholder collaboration beats top-down mandates
• Creative budget reallocation that accelerates fleet transformation
• Why "fleet as a service" wins over "fleet as a czar"

Speaker Bios:

Lincey Araya is the Fleet Services and Field Program Manager at the University of South Florida. With a background in the collision repair industry and as a certified ASE and I-CAR mechanic, she brings over 20 years of technical and operational experience. Her leadership focuses on elevating fleet service delivery, data-driven management, and building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across campus operations.

Marc Canton is the VP of Product & Consulting at RTA: The Fleet Success Company and co-host of The Fleet Success Show. With two decades of university operations experience and deep expertise in fleet centralization, consulting, and operations strategy, Marc helps public sector fleets maximize performance, reduce cost, and improve stakeholder satisfaction.

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 

Fleet managers everywhere are playing defense when it comes to vehicle replacement. In this hard-hitting episode of The Fleet Success Show, RTA CEO Josh Turley is joined by Fleet Management Analyst Griffin Scott to dig into the real cost of reactive replacement planning, and why it's hurting your maintenance program, your budget, and your credibility with leadership.

Griffin shares stories from more than 100 replacement studies he's conducted across the country and breaks down a simple, math-backed formula that every fleet manager can use to justify their replacement funding. Together, they expose the "doom loop" created by underfunded fleets and show how a strong replacement plan can unlock availability, control costs, and even help solve your technician shortage.

Whether you're battling aging assets, getting steamrolled at budget meetings, or just tired of hearing "we'll look at it next year," this episode will arm you with the strategy, language, and validation you need to take action.

Key Takeaways:

Speaker Bios:

Josh Turley is the CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company. With decades of fleet leadership and software development experience, Josh is passionate about helping fleets succeed by focusing on availability, cost control, stakeholder satisfaction, and intentional culture.

Griffin Scott is a Fleet Management Analyst at RTA who works directly with consulting clients to analyze operations and implement data-driven strategies. Having completed more than 100 replacement studies, Griffin brings unmatched expertise in capital planning and lifecycle optimization.

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 

In the latest episode of The Fleet Success Show, Marc Canton, former fleet manager and RTA's VP of Product & Consulting, and Tony Yankovich, former fleet asset manager and RTA's Fleet Consulting Group Director, talk about a major shift happening in the fleet industry: the renewed drive for education, training, and clear paths for career advancement. 

For the growing number of people attending industry conferences, to mechanics wondering how to move up the ladder to become shop supervisors, today's fleet professionals aren't waiting around to get promoted. They're taking the initiative to go hunting for the knowledge they know they need in order to grow. 

Marc and Tony dive into:

• Why the technician-to-manager pipeline is broken, and how we can start to rebuild it. 
• How younger fleet pros don't just want growth, training, and mentorship. They expect it. 
• The frustrating lack of formal degrees and higher education options for fleet professionals.
• Real examples of fleets turning to external training and coaching options (like NAFA and RTA Connect) to fill the education gap.
• What needs to happen to keep fleet falling apart as Boomers continue to retire

If you're a fleet leader working hard to retain your team, a tech dreaming of taking the next step in your career, or anyone in between, this episode is the one for you. Get tactical insights and ideas on how the industry needs to evolve in order to survive. 

Speaker Bios

Marc Canton

VP of Product & Consulting, RTA Fleet

Marc brings strategic vision and operational depth to every conversation. With decades in the industry, he helps fleets modernize through smart technology, KPI alignment, and better leadership development.

Tony Yankovich

Fleet Consultant, RTA

Tony has been in the fleet industry for over 35 years—26 of them as a full-time consultant. His insight into right-sizing, workforce development, and operational analysis has helped dozens of fleets transform.

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 

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.

• 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."

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.

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 

In this episode, Josh Turley sits down with veteran fleet leader and NAFA judge Steve Saltzgiver to pull back the curtain on the NAFA 100 Best Fleets competition. With over 200 applications pouring in each year and only 100 winners chosen, the margin for error is razor thin, and knowing how to tell your story effectively can make all the difference.

Steve shares invaluable advice for fleet managers on how to stand out, what separates the top 10 fleets from the bottom 10, and why AI-generated applications often backfire. They cover everything from storytelling and metrics to why consistency and culture are just as important as availability and PM compliance.

Whether you're a seasoned applicant or considering submitting for the first time, this episode offers essential insights to improve your chances, and your fleet operations.

• Tell a compelling story. Data alone won’t get you to the top—narrative matters.
• Answer every question. Incomplete applications are automatically at a disadvantage.
• Metrics matter. Know the industry benchmarks, not just your peers' numbers.
• Design matters. Clean formatting, visuals, and team photos can tip the scale.
• AI won't save you. Judges can spot ChatGPT a mile away—use it with caution.
• Talk to the judges. Get feedback to improve and apply again.
• Treat your application like a continuous improvement project.
   

Josh Turley
CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company and host of The Fleet Success Show. Josh is a passionate advocate for elevating the fleet industry and helping fleets achieve operational excellence through data, systems, and culture.

Steve Saltzgiver

A fleet management legend with nearly five decades of experience, Steve has served in both public and private sector roles, judged hundreds of NAFA 100 Best applications, and is a trusted voice on what it takes to build a high-performing fleet team.

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 

In this keynote episode from Connect 2025, RTA CEO Josh Turley delivers a deeply personal and passionate look at what separates great organizations from those that plateau or fail. Drawing inspiration from Jim Collins’ research in Good to Great, Built to Last, and Great by Choice, Josh explores how the most successful fleets aren't lucky—they're built intentionally.

Josh walks through how to apply Collins’ principles directly to fleet leadership. From choosing the right people (“first who, then what”) to defining purpose, values, and mission, to executing relentlessly through the flywheel effect—this episode offers a practical roadmap for fleets that want to stop treading water and start making the leap.

Whether you're in government or enterprise fleet management, this episode challenges you to confront brutal facts, communicate with clarity, and build a culture of disciplined excellence.

Key Takeaways:

• Fleet success starts with disciplined people, followed by disciplined thought, then disciplined action
• “First who, then what” is a foundational principle—build the right team before setting direction
• The Stockdale Paradox teaches leaders to hold hope while confronting brutal facts
• Clarity around purpose, values, and mission is essential
• The flywheel effect builds momentum through consistent execution—not chaos
• Overcommunicate what matters most. Leaders are Chief Reminding Officers.

Speaker Bio:

Josh Turley is the CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company. A passionate advocate for leadership, culture, and operational excellence, Josh has led RTA through its transformation into a purpose-driven fleet software and consulting company. He’s known for blending fleet expertise with leadership philosophy to help fleets across the country make the leap from good to great.

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 

Episode Summary:

In this powerful keynote-turned-podcast from Connect 2025, Marc Canton and Steve Saltzgiver tackle one of the most overlooked but financially devastating issues in fleet management: inadequate fleet replacement planning. Drawing from decades of experience and real-world consulting insights, Steve and Marc make a compelling case for why fleet managers must stop kicking the can down the road.

They go beyond the typical capital vs. operating cost debate, diving into the hidden costs of poor replacement planning: technician shortages, downtime, liability risks, and loss of stakeholder trust. Using vivid analogies (like rental car companies and depreciation curves), they break down exactly how aging assets cripple performance, and what to do about it.

This is a must-listen episode for government fleets, enterprise organizations, and anyone who feels stuck in the cycle of reactive maintenance.

Key Takeaways:

• Good fleet replacement equals good fleet management. Full stop.
• Aging assets increase M&R costs, downtime, and liability risk, and reduce availability.
• The capital cost of an asset is NOT what you paid; it's the purchase price minus resale.
• Fleets with high replacement backlog (25%+) are in crisis and need immediate intervention.
• Leadership must be educated on the economics of replacement vs. repair.
• A strategic, data-backed plan gets stakeholders on board and secures funding.

Speaker Bios:

Steve Saltzgiver is an award-winning fleet executive and consultant with decades of leadership in both the public and private sectors. Known as the "Fleet Whisperer," Steve helps fleets transform their operations by aligning strategy with data-driven performance.

Marc Canton is a fleet management strategist and speaker, passionate about connecting operational excellence to financial outcomes. At RTA, he works closely with government and enterprise fleets to implement impactful fleet success strategies.

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 

In this behind-the-scenes episode of the Fleet Success Show, Josh Turley sits down with long-time NAFA 100 Best Fleets judge Scott Rood to reveal what really goes into scoring top public fleets across the country.

With over six years of judging experience, Scott unpacks the nuances of what separates a winning application from a forgettable one. From incomplete data and wordy essays to fleets getting creative with technician shortages, this episode is a goldmine for any fleet manager looking to stand out in the competition—or simply improve their operation.

If you're serious about benchmarking your fleet, increasing asset availability, retaining technicians, and proving your team's value to stakeholders, this conversation is a must-listen. It’s full of hard truths, hilarious judging stories, and actionable advice that will make your next NAFA application stronger—and your fleet operation smarter.

• The #1 Mistake applicants make when filling out their NAFA 100 Best application (and how to avoid it)
• Why data transparency—not just storytelling—is essential for scoring high
• The importance of application reviews and how they directly impact next year’s ranking
• Why recruiting from trade schools is becoming a smart strategy for solving the tech shortage
• A behind-the-scenes look at how judges standardize scoring across 200+ applications
• What judges are really looking for when evaluating KPIs like fleet availability and comeback rates
  
   

Josh Turley – CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company. A passionate fleet advocate and leader, Josh brings real-world experience and thought leadership to modern fleet operations. He’s dedicated to helping fleets succeed through smarter technology, better training, and stronger culture.

Scott Rood – Fleet industry veteran and NAFA 100 Best Fleets judge for over six years. Known for his no-nonsense evaluation style, Scott is committed to holding fleets to high standards—because he knows that’s how fleets get better. His blend of experience, insight, and dedication to the craft makes him a trusted voice in public fleet management.

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 

In this no-holds-barred episode of The Fleet Success Show, RTA’s VP of Product & Consulting, Marc Canton, is joined by the Fleet Whisperer himself, Steve Saltzgiver, to dissect one of the biggest mistakes fleets make: trying to manage fleet operations through non-fleet systems like ERPs, EAMs, or telematics platforms with maintenance add-ons.

Steve shares battle-tested stories from his decades of hands-on fleet leadership, where multi-million dollar companies wasted years and millions trying to shoehorn fleet into systems never meant for it. The two dive deep into the problems with using generic asset systems—and explain exactly why FMIS (Fleet Management Information Systems) like RTA are built to drive wrench time, reduce downtime, and give you clean, reliable data.

Whether you’re being forced into an ERP, trying to justify an FMIS to leadership, or want real-world ammo to make your case, this episode is your go-to resource.

• ERPs and EAMs are not built for fleet: From 40-click work orders to missing fleet-specific features like VRMS codes and SRT tracking, they cause inefficiency, data loss, and user frustration.
  FMIS platforms deliver immediate ROI: Purpose-built systems dramatically reduce clicks, improve reporting accuracy, and streamline daily shop workflows.
• Fleet data needs fleet-first systems: Granular cost tracking, downtime reporting, and shop scheduling require systems designed for mobile assets, not static ones.
• Politics often drive bad decisions: Leadership's desire for system consolidation often ignores the operational needs of the fleet.
• Don’t go it alone: Independent third-party evaluations can help justify the move to an FMIS.
   

Marc Canton
VP of Product & Consulting at RTA Fleet. A strategic product leader and industry veteran, Marc drives innovation at RTA by blending real-world fleet operations with software expertise. He’s passionate about building solutions that solve the right problems.

Steve Saltzgiver
Known as the “Fleet Whisperer,” Steve is a Hall-of-Fame fleet leader and the Head of Consulting at RTA. With executive-level experience in government and private sector fleets, Steve’s deep understanding of operational pain points makes him a trusted voice in the industry.

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