The Fleet Success Show

Josh Turley, RTA Fleet, Facundo Tassara, Marc Canton

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!

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 237: 40 Years in Fleet Management: Hurricanes, Hostile Takeovers, & Becoming #1

    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

    Episode 237: 40 Years in Fleet Management: Hurricanes, Hostile Takeovers, & Becoming #1
  2. Jul 9

    Episode 236: Will Robots Fix the Fleet Technician Shortage?

    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

    Episode 236: Will Robots Fix the Fleet Technician Shortage?
  3. Jul 2

    Episode 235: "JARVIS" For Fleet Managers? How Next-Gen AI is Eliminating Complex Reporting

    Artificial intelligence is changing fleet management faster than almost any technology in recent memory. From answering questions about preventive maintenance compliance to analyzing technician productivity and generating reports in seconds, AI is helping fleet professionals spend less time searching for data and more time making informed decisions. In Part 2 of this conversation, Josh Turley, CEO of RTA, and Marc Canton, Vice President of Fleet Strategy, explore how AI is reshaping fleet management software and why purpose-built, fleet-specific AI is becoming the next evolution of modern fleet operations. They discuss the limitations of general AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, the importance of fleet context and secure data access, and how conversational AI is making fleet reporting, maintenance analysis, and operational insights easier than ever. Whether you're exploring AI for fleet management, looking to improve fleet reporting, or wondering how artificial intelligence can help your maintenance operation, this episode offers practical strategies that fleet leaders can begin using today. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why AI is becoming one of the most valuable tools for fleet managers and fleet management analysts How AI can simplify preventive maintenance reporting, technician productivity analysis, fuel reporting, and other routine fleet management tasks Why general AI tools need additional context to provide reliable fleet management recommendations How combining multiple AI models can improve accuracy and reduce hallucinations A simple prompting technique that encourages AI to ask clarifying questions before generating reports, presentations, or policies Practical ways fleet leaders can use AI to save time, improve decision making, and reduce administrative work How embedded AI within fleet management software can eliminate manual reporting and provide instant operational insights Why conversational reporting is changing the future of fleet management technology Whether you're just beginning to explore artificial intelligence or already using AI in your fleet operation, this episode provides practical ideas for improving productivity while helping your organization make faster, more informed decisions. Speaker Bios Josh Turley — CEO, RTA: The Fleet Success Company Josh Turley is the CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company. His passion is helping people work ON their fleets, rather than IN them. He is a little crazy about company culture and believes it is the most important thing a company can get right if they want to experience clarity, confidence, and peace of mind instead of chaos and stress. That belief is at the core of what drives the work at RTA, which currently helps nearly 700 public fleets succeed. Josh is the co-author of The Fleet Success Playbook, the host of The Fleet Success Show, and a frequent speaker at fleet events nationwide. Marc Canton — VP of Fleet Strategy, RTA Fleet Marc Canton brings more than 20 years of experience in university transportation, logistics, and government fleet management and consulting. He currently leads fleet strategy at RTA, where he is building the FMIS of the future. Marc takes a data-driven approach to optimizing fleet operations with a focus on high availability and efficiency, and is committed to advancing the industry through education and collaboration. 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 235: "JARVIS" For Fleet Managers? How Next-Gen AI is Eliminating Complex Reporting
  4. Jun 25

    Episode 234: AI for Fleet Leaders: Stop Waiting, Start Moving

    The episode covers the arms race happening between major AI companies, the difference between using AI as a search engine versus a true work partner, and why fleet managers who refuse to engage are putting themselves at real risk. Josh breaks down practical advice for three distinct groups: those who haven't started yet, those who are dabbling, and power users ready to go deeper. He also shares how he personally uses AI to build custom learning curricula, run his company with better context, and collaborate on projects in ways that were impossible even a year ago. This is a grounded, no-hype conversation about what AI actually looks like in practice for fleet professionals, and what every fleet leader should do about it right now. Speaker Bios Josh Turley — CEO, RTA: The Fleet Success Company Josh Turley is the CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company. His passion is helping people work ON their fleets, rather than IN them. He is a little crazy about company culture and believes it is the most important thing a company can get right if they want to experience clarity, confidence, and peace of mind instead of chaos and stress. That belief is at the core of what drives the work at RTA, which currently helps nearly 700 public fleets succeed. Josh is the co-author of The Fleet Success Playbook, the host of The Fleet Success Show, and a frequent speaker at fleet events nationwide. Marc Canton — VP of Fleet Strategy, RTA Fleet Marc Canton brings more than 20 years of experience in university transportation, logistics, and government fleet management and consulting. He currently leads fleet strategy at RTA, where he is building the FMIS of the future. Marc takes a data-driven approach to optimizing fleet operations with a focus on high availability and efficiency, and is committed to advancing the industry through education and collaboration. 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 234: AI for Fleet Leaders: Stop Waiting, Start Moving
  5. Jun 18

    Episode 233: EVs, Telematics, and a 340-Pound Naysayer Named Eric

    What does it actually take to deploy new technology in a public fleet before anyone else is doing it? In this episode of the Fleet Success Show, host Facundo Tassara sits down with Al Curtis, Fleet Director for Cobb County, Georgia, one of the most innovative public fleet operations in the country. Al has spent over 22 years at Cobb County building a culture of bold, thoughtful experimentation, from deploying Nissan Leafs in the fire marshal's office in 2016 to launching telematics across 800 county vehicles when most fleets had never heard the term. Al and Facundo dig into what it really means to be an early adopter in public fleet. They cover how to get buy-in from the top and the shop floor at the same time, why your loudest technician might be your most valuable asset during a rollout, when to pull the plug on a failed deployment (like 50 propane-upfitted police cars), and why chasing startups is often smarter than waiting for the mainstream. They also get into how innovation connects to 100 Best Fleets recognition, how Cobb County is tackling the technician shortage by growing talent in-house, and what fleet managers need to hear about AI-driven tools changing how technicians learn and get certified. This is a conversation for fleet leaders who want to build something they're proud of, not just manage what exists. About the Guests: Facundo Tassara is the host of the Fleet Success Show and a fleet industry veteran with experience spanning government fleet, tech startups, and EV infrastructure. He began his public fleet career in local government before joining Fermata Energy in 2017, where he worked at the forefront of vehicle-to-grid and bidirectional charging technology. Facundo brings a unique perspective to fleet conversations, part practitioner, part innovator, and has been a consistent voice for modernization and bold thinking in public fleet management. Al Curtis is the Fleet Director for Cobb County Fleet Management in Marietta, Georgia, and one of the most respected names in public fleet innovation. He began his career as a motor sergeant in the U.S. military before moving through the private sector and into public service, where he has spent more than 22 years with Cobb County. Under his leadership, the department has earned 100 Best Fleets recognition and built a reputation for being willing to go where most government fleets won't, testing new technology early, sharing both wins and failures openly, and developing technicians from within the organization. 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 233: EVs, Telematics, and a 340-Pound Naysayer Named Eric
  6. Jun 11

    Episode 232: Women in Fleet: Shae Davies - 30 Years, 3 Firsts, 0 Apologies

    What does it actually take to break into a male-dominated industry, get passed over because of excuses, and still rise to manage a fleet of nearly 3,800 assets? Shae Davies, Fleet Manager for the City of Aurora, Colorado, joins host Facundo Tassara for the debut episode of the Women in Fleet series on the Fleet Success Show. Shae has nearly 30 years in public fleet, starting as an apprentice mechanic with the City of Seattle and working her way into leadership through grit, skill, and a willingness to be the first. In this episode, Shae and Facundo cover: How a fight with her dad led to a 30-year career in the trades What it means to be the first woman in the room, and what it costs The real story behind managing an aging, underfunded fleet of 3,800 assets How she is building an executive-level capital risk narrative to change budget decisions Why fleet managers need to stop being a line item and start being a business partner The mechanic labor shortage and why wages are going to get very uncomfortable Her hot take on language, respect, and how we talk about women in the trades QR codes on fleet assets and the untapped opportunity to tell your agency's story Whether you are a fleet manager, a fleet director, a tradesperson, or someone thinking about entering the industry, this conversation will challenge the way you think about fleet, leadership, and what the next generation of this workforce needs. Subscribe for more episodes of the Fleet Success Show and the full Women in Fleet series.     Chapters:  0:00 – Intro to Women in Fleet  1:48 – Shae's background and 30 years in fleet  3:19 – The fight with her dad that started it all  5:17 – Getting hired and entering public fleet  6:28 – From mechanic to leadership  10:13 – Being passed over and having to be the first  13:49 – Navigating bias and building resilience  17:30 – Hot take: stop calling women "females"  22:05 – Shae's photo in the US Capitol building  25:37 – Managing 3,800 assets at the City of Aurora  28:52 – Telling the executive story to drive capital investment  32:17 – 230 underutilized vehicles and what the data shows  33:46 – QR codes on fleet assets as community storytelling tools  38:18 – The number one thing impacting fleet today  41:33 – Advice for women thinking about entering fleet  44:38 – Fleet as a business partner, not a department  50:09 – The future of mechanic wages and the labor shortage  55:33 – Closing thoughts and upcoming Women in Fleet guests     Connect with RTA Fleet: https://www.rtafleet.com Learn more about Fleet360: https://www.rtafleet.com/fleet360 #WomenInFleet #FleetManagement #FleetSuccessShow #PublicFleet #FleetManager #Trades #WomenInTrades #MunicipalFleet #FleetLeadership 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 232: Women in Fleet: Shae Davies - 30 Years, 3 Firsts, 0 Apologies
  7. Jun 4

    Episode 231: What 100K Vehicles and 175 Bases Teaches You About Fleet Leadership

    What does fleet management look like when your "shop" spans the entire globe? In this episode of the Fleet Success Show, host Marc Canton sits down with Chief Master Sergeant Adam Walker of the U.S. Air Force at the NAFA Institute and Expo 2026. Adam oversees vehicle management operations across 175 Air Force bases, 100,000 vehicles, and 5,500 military and civilian personnel. His team's mission: keep the vehicles running so the Air Force can fly, fight, and win. The conversation goes deep on the challenges, the systems, and the leadership principles that hold it all together and what civilian fleet managers can take directly from the military playbook. In this episode: How the Air Force manages 100,000 vehicles across 175 global locations Mission Capable Rate, fleet health scoring, and service level agreements: the Air Force way Why the Air Force ran MS-DOS fleet software until 2016 and what they learned from the transition How AI is being integrated into Air Force vehicle management operations The Fleet Gap DoD SkillBridge program and how it can help with your technician shortage Succession planning lessons from an organization that turns over entire crews every 18 months Tabletop exercises, psychological safety, and building leaders who thrive under pressure What civilian fleets get wrong about military fleet operations If you're a fleet manager, fleet director, or fleet leader who wants to run a tighter, more resilient operation, this episode is for you. Speaker Bios Marc Canton Marc Canton is Vice President of Fleet Strategy at RTA Fleet and host of The Fleet Success Show. A recognized fleet industry leader, Marc helps public and enterprise fleets improve performance through data-driven decision-making, operational excellence, and strategic fleet management. Drawing from extensive experience leading fleet organizations and advising fleets across North America, he is passionate about helping fleet professionals solve complex challenges, develop stronger teams, and build fleets they are proud to lead.Adam Walker Chief Master Sergeant Adam Walker serves in the United States Air Force as a Major Command Functional Manager for the Vehicle Management community. In his role, he leads workforce development, training, and talent management initiatives supporting approximately 3,500 military and civilian personnel responsible for maintaining nearly 100,000 vehicles across 175 global locations. Beginning his career as a vehicle maintainer, Adam has served in leadership roles spanning maintenance operations, fleet management, and organizational development. He is also a strong advocate for military-to-fleet workforce transition programs, helping retiring and separating service members connect with career opportunities throughout the fleet 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

    Episode 231: What 100K Vehicles and 175 Bases Teaches You About Fleet Leadership
  8. May 28

    Episode 230: Fleet Managers Are Wasting Millions Because of Bad Data

    Most fleets already have telematics installed. The problem is, most of the data is wrong, incomplete, or being used the wrong way. In this episode of the Fleet Success Show, Fleet Hall of Famer Steve Saltzgiver sits down with Lucas Schorer, Founder & CEO of Kestrel Insights, to expose the hidden operational blind spots quietly costing fleets productivity, efficiency, and millions in preventable mistakes. They break down: why most geofencing setups fail how inaccurate fleet data creates false decisions the real ROI behind telematics why “Big Brother” fears are disappearing how AI is changing fleet operations the $250,000 cargo theft caused by ONE tiny geofence mistake why most fleets only use 10% of their technology stack If you manage fleet operations, logistics, transportation, field services, or telematics systems, this episode will completely change how you think about operational visibility. Subscribe for more fleet leadership, operations, and transportation insights from the Fleet Success Show. #FleetManagement #Telematics #Logistics #Transportation #FleetTechnology #SupplyChain #FleetSuccess #AI #OperationsManagement 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 230: Fleet Managers Are Wasting Millions Because of Bad Data
4.5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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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