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

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 developmentWhy fleets need to understand both direct and indirect operating costsHow a chargeback system helps fleets recover the true cost of servicesWhy chargebacks can improve vehicle utilization and influence stakeholder behaviorHow to determine which costs should be fixed versus directly chargedWhy fleet billing requires more than running a month-end reportHow billing workflows can improve financial visibility and transaction traceabilityWhy fleet and finance teams should work together when designing a chargeback programWhat to consider when determining customers, account structures, rates, and billing frequencyHow stronger fleet financial data can help leaders make better decisions and confidently explain their operationWhether 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 SpeakersMarc Canton — VP of Fleet Strategy, RTA FleetMarc 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 FleetMarc 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 LeadFleet 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does it take to manage one of the most unique fleet operations in government? In this episode of the Fleet Success Show, host Marc Canton sits down with Jeffrey Dickman, Equipment Shop Supervisor for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry, to discuss the realities of maintaining a prison fleet with the help of inmate mechanics. Jeff oversees maintenance operations at one of Arizona's correctional facilities, managing everything from patrol trucks and SUVs to heavy equipment, backhoes, graders, bulldozers, and long-haul trucks. Together, Marc and Jeff explore how correctional fleets operate like miniature cities, the challenges of balancing mission-critical vehicle availability with limited budgets, and why fleet managers need better data to justify fleet size, replacement funding, and operational decisions. The conversation dives into topics every public fleet leader faces—including fleet right-sizing, vehicle replacement strategies, total cost of ownership (TCO), preventative maintenance compliance, technician shortages, chargebacks, budgeting, and using fleet data to build credibility with leadership. Whether you manage a city, county, state, university, corrections, or utility fleet, this episode offers practical lessons on how data-driven fleet management helps eliminate blind spots, improve vehicle availability, and strengthen leadership conversations. In this episode, you'll learn: How prison fleet maintenance programs operate with inmate mechanics The benefits of vocational training inside correctional facilities Why fleet right-sizing starts with understanding your organization's mission The difference between vehicle utilization and mission utilization How replacement planning reduces maintenance costs and technician demand Why total cost of ownership matters more than purchase price How to justify fleet budgets using operational data The importance of chargebacks and understanding true maintenance costs Strategies for improving preventative maintenance compliance How fleet managers can lead from any level of an organization If you're responsible for fleet operations, asset management, public works, corrections, or government fleet budgeting, this conversation is packed with actionable ideas you can implement immediately.   Speaker Bios Marc Canton Marc Canton is Vice President of Fleet Strategy at RTA Fleet and host of the Fleet Success Show. A former public fleet leader, Marc helps government and enterprise fleets improve fleet availability, reduce operational blind spots, and make data-driven decisions through modern fleet management strategies. With decades of hands-on fleet experience, he regularly speaks on fleet leadership, asset lifecycle management, maintenance operations, replacement planning, budgeting, and performance benchmarking. Marc works with fleet organizations across North America to build safer, more efficient, and more accountable fleet operations. Jeffrey Dickman Jeffrey Dickman is an Equipment Shop Supervisor with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry, where he oversees fleet maintenance operations for one of the state's correctional complexes. He manages a diverse fleet that includes patrol vehicles, heavy equipment, utility vehicles, and long-haul trucks while leading a maintenance team consisting of staff technicians and inmate mechanics. Jeffrey is passionate about data-driven fleet management, preventative maintenance, replacement planning, and developing vocational skills that help prepare incarcerated individuals for successful careers after release. 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

After more than 40 years in fleet management, Patti Earley has seen just about everything: from managing a statewide fleet consolidation to leading fleet fuel operations for Florida Power & Light (FPL) through hurricane response and emergency operations. In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, Women in Fleet Series, Patti shares the lessons she's learned throughout her career, why stepping outside your comfort zone can change everything, and what today's fleet professionals can do to become stronger leaders. Whether you're a fleet manager, maintenance supervisor, public works leader, or someone considering a career in fleet, this conversation is packed with practical leadership advice and real-world experience. In this episode, we discuss: Patti's 40+ year journey in fleet management Managing one of the nation's largest utility fleets How FPL prepares for hurricane season Lessons from consolidating a 4,000-vehicle state fleet Women in fleet leadership and how the industry has evolved Why networking through NAFA can transform your career The importance of mentorship and professional development Public speaking, leadership growth, and building confidence Winning the NAFA Tom Johnson Award and the 100 Best Fleets Award Advice for the next generation of fleet professionals If you're looking to become a more effective fleet leader, this episode offers decades of experience you can immediately apply. Speaker Bios Facundo Tassara Facundo Tassara is the host of The Fleet Success Show and a fleet industry leader passionate about helping fleet professionals grow through practical conversations, leadership development, and real-world operational insights. With experience managing public fleets and serving the fleet community through NAFA and industry advocacy, Facundo brings engaging discussions with the people shaping the future of fleet management. Patti Earley Patti Earley is the Fleet Fuel Operations Manager at Florida Power & Light and has spent more than 40 years in fleet management. Throughout her career, she has led fleet operations in higher education, state government, and one of the nation's largest electric utilities. A former NAFA President, educator, and recipient of the Tom Johnson Award, Patti is widely respected for her leadership, commitment to advancing the profession, and passion for mentoring the next generation of fleet professionals. She also helped lead FPL's fleet to the #1 ranking in NAFA's 100 Best Fleets Commercial category.   👍 Like this video if you found it valuable. 💬 What has been the biggest leadership lesson in your fleet career? Let us know in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with the fleet industry's top leaders. Connect with RTA Fleet 🌐 https://www.rtafleet.com Learn how fleet leaders are improving availability, reducing downtime, and building fleets they're proud to lead. #FleetManagement #WomenInFleet #FleetSuccessShow #NAFA #PublicWorks #FleetLeadership #FleetManager #UtilityFleet #FloridaPowerAndLight #Leadership #PublicFleet #FleetOperations #MaintenanceManagement #EmergencyManagement #ProfessionalDevelopment 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

Artificial intelligence is changing fleet management faster than most organizations realize. But can AI—and eventually humanoid robots—actually solve the fleet technician shortage? In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, host Marc Canton sits down with Jacob Turley, VP of Innovation at RTA Fleet, live from the Government Fleet Expo (GFX), to explore what AI means for public sector and enterprise fleets today, and where it's headed next. From AI-powered fleet analytics and intelligent workflows to technician productivity, preventive maintenance, data security, procurement challenges, and the future of autonomous robotics, this conversation separates the hype from reality and gives fleet leaders practical guidance on how to prepare. Whether you manage a city fleet, county fleet, utility, transit agency, school district, or enterprise maintenance operation, you'll walk away with actionable insights on using AI to improve fleet availability, reduce administrative burden, and make more confident, data-driven decisions. In this episode you'll learn: How AI can help address the fleet technician shortage Why AI won't replace fleet managers, but will transform their jobs What "agentic AI" means for fleet maintenance operations How AI can automate fleet reporting and data analysis The role of robotics in the future of vehicle maintenance AI security, governance, and data privacy considerations for public fleets How fleet software is evolving with embedded AI capabilities Best practices for evaluating AI-enabled fleet management software Tips for navigating procurement and RFPs in today's technology landscape If you're responsible for fleet maintenance, fleet operations, public works, transit, utilities, or government fleet management, this episode will help you better understand how AI can eliminate operational blind spots, improve technician efficiency, and prepare your organization for what's next. About Marc Canton Marc Canton is Vice President of Fleet Strategy at RTA Fleet and host of The Fleet Success Show. A nationally recognized fleet management leader, Marc works with public sector and enterprise fleets to improve operational performance, maximize fleet availability, strengthen leadership, and help organizations build fleets they're proud to lead. About Jacob Turley Jacob Turley is Vice President of Innovation at RTA Fleet, where he leads software engineering and product innovation for Fleet360. With a background spanning technical support, quality assurance, software engineering, and engineering leadership, Jacob focuses on applying emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—to solve real-world challenges facing fleet professionals. His work centers on building tools that simplify fleet operations, improve decision-making, and help organizations operate more efficiently. Learn more about RTA Fleet: 🌐 https://www.rtafleet.com Fleet consulting services: 🌐 https://www.fleetconsulting.com Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders covering fleet management, technician recruitment, fleet technology, preventive maintenance, public sector operations, and the future of fleet. 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