NAFA Midwest Chapter Tackles Major Fleet Issues

Merging fleets, acquisitions, developing and implementing policies -- these are some of the complex issues a fleet manager needs to take on, and on March 11, the Midwest Chapter did just that.

Meeting at Continental Western Insurance Group headquarters in Urbandale, IA, 29 people attended what was to be a very educational morning of presentations. But before things got under way, there was some chapter business to attend to. Showing the Midwest Chapter spirit was in full force, plans were discussed for a chapter get-together on the Monday prior to I&E opening night (April 8 in Minneapolis, MN).

Patrick Barrett, CAFM, Director, Transportation Services of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln spoke briefly regarding the rewriting of the Asset Management Portion of the CAFM curriculum.

Next up, Nanette Schmidt, Fleet Coordinator for Continental Western Group presented a fleet profile on her company. Afterward, Kristina Nicoles, Department Head, Account Management, ARI and Carl Neuberger, Director, New Business Development, Merchants Fleet spoke regarding managing fleets and change.

The meeting then followed with a brief discussion with Chris Austin, Regional Fleet Parts Manager for AC Delco, regarding the company's efforts to let people know of the training opportunities available to members thru their FM Fleet Track Program.

Special thanks to Kathy Wellik, Fleet Manager and Butch Hansen (both Iowa State University) for material in this article. Extended thanks to Nanette Schmidt for filling in as meeting leader, and to Mike McDonald, Director of Asset Management, Mosaic. Hope you are feeling better, Mike!