NAFA Finds Fertile Ground In The Desert
Leave behind any images you have may have of the desert being a barren, empty space, devoid of life. For NAFA, the desert proved to be nothing but fertile ground, full of life, growth, opportunity, and new beginnings.
A few weeks ago, NAFA held a series of conferences, seminars, and planning meetings in Tucson, Arizona, one of this country’s most beautiful desert towns. While not a retreat, the resort-like setting of Loews Ventana Canyon certainly proved an attraction and a place where creative juices flowed as easily as the 80-foot waterfall in the Santa Catalina Mountains (yes, there was a waterfall in the desert!).
The week started with NAFA’s 3rd Annual International Fleet Academy (IFA), where fleet managers from all over the globe filled the room to capacity to share ideas, learn from each other, and network. NAFA’s IFA focused on critical issues impacting global fleets and provided ideas on how to implement a harmonized global fleet. As one fleet manager told me, "the quickest way to implement a global fleet strategy is to attend the NAFA IFA, as it provides both the educational and networking resources to take action."
While IFA was taking place in one ballroom, NAFA’s Arizona Chapter met in another room for its monthly education and networking meeting. Their day started with a presentation by Katherine Vigneau, CAFM, who explained how and why fleet audits are necessary and not an evil to be avoided. Kate then did a presentation on how to make effective, powerful presentations. I had the unenviable task of following Kate with a quick talk about the many programs and services NAFA offers. (And, yes, there were a few things about my presentation I needed to change to be in line with Kate’s tips!) Afterwards, a dozen of us headed over to the Tucson Fire Department where NAFA Member Jerry Drake, to whom I had the pleasure delivering his newly earned CAFM pin and certificate, gave us a tour of his maintenance and parts facility.
At the same time, nearly 40 "new" fleet managers were deeply immersed in our Essentials of Fleet Management seminar, where they learned the basics of the 8 core disciplines of fleet management. Fleet experts like Kate Vigneau, Jason Hicks, John Dmochowski, and Janis Christensen, all with CAFM credentials, shared their incredible knowledge and experience to bring along this next generation of fleet leaders.
Once those conferences and seminars concluded, the NAFA Board of Governors arrived for three days of planning meetings and more education. These 70 or so volunteer leaders met in small groups to work on special projects and networked in "regional meetings" to discuss how to make NAFA’s chapters more effective and valuable. Of course, there was lots of time for networking and elbow-rubbing, too. As a "value-added" feature, the Board participated in a half-day introductory course on "Lean Six Sigma for Fleets" presented by Kathy Anargyros of GE Capital.
To round out the week, nearly 40 fleet managers in NAFA’s CAFM and CAFS programs took part in intense "Boot Camp" sessions as part of their final preparations for their certification exams. These sessions were led by CAFM experts like Kate Vigneau (who had a very busy week) and Patti Earley.
By week’s end, 200 fleet professionals visited Tucson to take part in NAFA’s many events. They learned, they shared, they networked. It was, clearly, NAFA doing what NAFA does best: providing a rich, fertile, environment for fleet managers to help each other, while keeping this industry and this profession moving forward. We may have been in the middle of the desert, but we did not let that hamper our growth. In fact, it only made us thirsty for greater success!
I extend my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to everyone who came to Tucson to participate in our events.
Sincerely,
Phil