Now in its fourth year, the Sustainability All Stars of 2014 add to a growing list of fleet professionals who have demonstrated significant contributions to environmental sustainability and fleet efficiencies in the industry. The awards look at four main criteria:
Longevity: Time in the fleet industry dedicated to sustainability efforts.
Accomplishments: Examples of recent, significant sustainability achievements.
Innovation: Innovative ways individuals have contributed to reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
Industry involvement: Involvement in industry-wide efforts to promote sustainable fleet solutions. Included here are a few highlights of each winner and their fleet, though many are doing far more than what’s listed.
Official winner announcements were made live at the Green Fleet Conference & Expo on Oct. 30 in Schaumburg, Ill.
Questions about the Sustainability All Star Awards or the Green Fleet Conference & Expo?
E-mail: joanne.tucker@bobit.com.
Tom Armstrong, Director of Fleet, ThyssenKrupp Elevator
Added 20 hybrid-electric service vehicles in 2014.
Use of alt-fuel vehicles saved over 710,000 gallons of gas and 115,000 gallons of diesel from 2010 to October 2013.
Currently operates 85 propane-autogas-powered vehicles, and growing.
Jeremy Baker, Fleet Manager, Green Mountain Power
Rightsizing initiatives after a company merger resulted in higher fleet utilization.
Growing pool fleet to minimize personal mileage reimbursement; all new pool vehicles are EV or hybrid models.
Uses electric low-speed vehicles for nearby errands and campus use, and has onsite EV chargers.
Jim Bigelow, Director, Enterprise Fleets, Cox Enterprises
Replaced 1,500 Chevrolet Express and Ford
E-Series with Mercedes-Benz Sprinters.
Deploying routing software, which will
result in a 20-percent reduction in mileage.
Using electric-hydraulic booms on bucket trucks to eliminate idling.
Douglas Bond, Transportation Services Manager, Alameda County, Calif.
Received EV Readiness Award for Bay Area
Climate Collaborative.
Grew hybrid/electric fleet to 253 units.
Installed 40 dual-port charging stations at
six locations throughout the county.
Greg Brake, Associate Director, DeKalb County, Ga.
Reduced gasoline consumption by 6.5 percent, or 121,455 gallons.
Replaced three gasoline- and 11 diesel-powered vehicles with CNG-powered units.
Added 486 additional telematics systems to fleet.
Bonnie Brown, Administration Services Manager, Roche Diagnostics
Vehicle selector choice drove a 30-percent increase in fuel economy.
Honored as finalist in 2014 NAFA Fleet Excellence Awards in fleet sustainability.
Established a sustainability goal to increase fleet mpg by 2015.
Dave Champagne, Fleet Superintendent, City of Roanoke, Va.
Replaced 35 percent of the City’s small, utility-type vehicles with electric-powered alternatives.
Helped convert 40 percent of the City’s mowing equipment to operate on propane.
Spearheading the installation of telematics to help aid fuel management.
Lea Covington Rowen, Fleet Manager, AstraZeneca
Consistently at 25 mpg average fuel economy through improved vehicle selectors across the fleet’s 5,600 units.
Only acquire vehicles with best-in-class fuel economy with total cost of ownership in mind.
Piloting VW Passat diesels in fleet.
Tony Eiermann, Fleet Manager, Asset and Value Management, Coca-Cola Refreshments
Manages one of the largest hybrid-electric fleets in the U.S. with 738 vehicles.
Added 16 fully electric refrigerated trucks to Odwalla brand’s delivery fleet in California.
Helped Coca-Cola achieve a 15-percent reduction in carbon dioxide with alternative fuels.
Jim Florio, Chairman/CEO, Click Wholesale Distributing
Operates a fleet with almost 50 percent of vehicles operating on CNG.
Displaced 7,300 gallons of diesel in 2013.
Projects a minimum displacement of 25,000 gallons of diesel by the end of 2014, saving the company $50,000.
Chris Galati, CNG Program Manager, NW Natural
Testing new technologies for CNG, including adsorbed natural gas tanks for improved onboard fuel storage as well as test refined CNG fill nozzles.
Works with customers interested in natural gas. NW Natural has started to open and maintain CNG fill stations for customers.
Mel Galbraith, Fleet Director, City of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Increased solid waste CNG vehicles from 20 percent to 46 percent.
Converted 15,000-gallon underground unleaded tank to E-85.
Expanded CNG slow-fill lines from three towers to nine towers.
Jim Gillespie, President and General Manager, Yellow Cab Cooperative Inc.
Introduced the first fleet of hybrid taxis in America in 2004, according to Yellow Cab.
Seven percent of fleet currently CNG.
Cut fleet’s tailpipe emissions from 568 to 246 grams per mile.
Reduced total fleet emissions by 49 percent.
Greg Hansen, Fleet Administrator, Washington State Department of Transportation
Pioneered public fleet vehicle leasing by being the 1st state agency to lease five Nissan LEAFs and has plans to grow EV leased fleet
Installed level-2 EV chargers at all of its motor pool locations (6) and plans to expand infrastructure as EV fleet grows.
From 2008-2013, through aggressive rightsizing, increasing utilization, implementing anti-idling policies and better routing, WSDOT had cut fuel consumption by 10% at approximately 400,000 fuel gallons
In same period, reduced employee travel by 2.2 million miles
Kenneth Hoglund, Director, Fleet Management Dept., City of Houston
Reduced nearly 1,000 underutilized vehicles, resulting in $1 million in sales.
Procured 27 electric Nissan LEAFs.
Partnered with Zipcar to launch FleetShare, a program for city employees needing a vehicle.
Mitch Jackson, Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Sustainability, FedEx
Operated 214 EVs and 363 hybrid-electric vehicles by end of FY-2013.
First in transportation logistics to call for fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for commercial vehicles.
Team improved Express fleet mpg by 5 percent in FY-2013, saving 20 million gallons of fuel.
Jeff Jeter, Environmental Health and Safety Manager, Chesterfield County, Va.
Division rightsized 39 percent of vehicles to date in FY-2014.
Identified three waste streams to mitigate negative impact and reduce carbon footprint.
Met with Congress for positive regulations for alternative-fuel initiatives and incentives.
Johnson & Johnson
Louise Davis-Lopez, CAFM/CFM
Julie Pedelini
Brian Snow
Became the leader in hybrid vehicle usage with 2,000 vehicles
Reduced global fleet CO2 emissions by 15 percent over three years.
Piloted “Green Driver” training in Belgium, resulting in 6-percent fuel consumption reduction.
Spiro Kattan, Fleet Supervisor, NYC Department of Sanitation
Use of biodiesel has displaced more than 3 million gallons of petroleum-based diesel fuel since 2007.
Operates more than 800 light-duty hybrid-electric vehicles which make up approximately 80 percent of the light-duty fleet.
Owns 49 Level 2 EV chargers citywide.
Steve Kibler, Fleet Manager, City of Loveland, Colo.
Operates five Nissan LEAFs, with EV growth expected to continue.
Cites a 41-percent reduction in per-mile costs on the EVs compared to their gas line vehicles used for similar operations.
Promotes employee EV use, and paid $4,000 less in reimbursements in first year.
Randy Koss, Supervisor, Fleet Maintenance and Fleet Services, NV Energy
Operating 50 hybrid bucket trucks to reduce idling and decrease fuel consumption.
Provides education on hybrid bucket trucks to improve operator buy-in.
Has installed 133 individual charging ports at more than 47 locations statewide to promote EV use.
Keith Leech, Fleet Manager, City of Sacramento
Added LNG solid waste vehicles increasing the City’s LNG fuel consumption by 87 percent.
Consumed 703,419 fewer gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel in 2013 over 2009.
Serves as the chairman of the Greater Sacramento Regional Clean Air Coalition.
James Lefton, Executive Officer, Transit Services, LA Department of Transportation
Has one of the largest NGV fleets in the country.
Displaced more than 14.1 million gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs) and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 5,364 tons.
Uses renewable natural gas to fuel 100 percent of CNG fleet.
Rick Longobart, Facilities, Fleet and Stores Manager, City of Santa Ana, Calif.
Developed a Green Strategic Plan to increase sustainability, aiming for a goal of 75-80% alternative fuel-driven.
Has a fleet working at 95% productivity.
Named as one of the first ten inductees into the Public Fleet Hall of Fame.
Fleet Stats: 651 units, 20% green
Elise Lucia, Executive Director, Fleet and Purchasing Service, Estee Lauder
Improved fuel economy by 16 percent, saving more than 210,000 gallons of fuel.
Avoided emitting more than 1,850 metric tons of CO2.
Rightsized fleet by selecting four-cylinder engines, while educating drivers on better driving habits via online newsletters and safety modules.
Claude Masters, CAFM, Manager of Vehicle Acquisition and Fuel Florida Power and Light
Was recognized by the EPA for its “Clean Fleet and Consumer Education Program.”
Operates 1,750 biodiesel vehicles, and 550 hybrid or plug-in electric vehicles.
Reduced petroleum use by 295,000 gallons and CO2 emissions by 2,500 metric tons in 2012.
Dave Meisel, Senior Director of Transportation and Aviation Services, PG&E
Working to develop two types of Class 5 plug-in hybrid work trucks.
Operates nearly 3,500 alt-fuel vehicles in a fleet with nearly 14,000 pieces of equipment.
Engaged in industry-wide efforts with Edison Electric Institute to promote plug-in electric vehicle use in utility fleets.
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Greg Miller, Director of Fleet, DHL Express
With a total fleet size of 2,500, recently rolled out telematics to 1,400 vehicles to help improve routing and fuel consumption.
Has 312 vehicles that operate on LPG with plans for another 106 this year.
Operates 54 hybrid step vans, 400 clean diesel vans, and other electric/hybrid vehicles.
Tracy Ochsner, Assistant Operation Services Director, City of Fort Collins, Colo.
Alternative fuels make up 58 percent of total consumption and its use on the rise.
Implemented idle-reduction policy which limits idling to 30 seconds.
Publishes monthly shop energy usage and cost graphs for employees to access.
Ted Olsen, Market Manager, Arro Autogas
Reduced emissions by 30 percent by switching 48 vehicles to propane autogas and diesel.
Began recycling program at corporate office.
Chairman of Western Propane Gas Association, initiating the propane autogas vehicle road shows.
Tony Orta, Manager, Asset Management, SoCalGas
Operates nearly 1,000 CNG trucks – dedicated and bi-fuel, with plans to place an additional 1,000 CNG vehicles by 2018.
Meets or exceeds CARB regulations for utility fleet diesel particulate matter emissions.
26 of 52 garages have CNG fueling stations, and that number is expected to grow.
Kiley Patino, Corporate Claims Specialist - Fleet Administrator, Esurance
Acquired and added Ford Fusion Hybrids to selector, greatly increasing the fleet’s average mpg.
Lowered fuel cost to $150 against 100 vehicles since 2008.
Plans to save 69,000 gallons of fuel by 2017 with addition of Fusion Hybrids.
Mike Payette, Director, Fleet Equipment, Staples
Operates 53 and growing all-electric trucks in seven states.
Operates biodiesel wherever possible and has 10 CNG Class 7-8 trucks.
Reduced maximum top speed depending on year/make/model to improve fuel economy.
Deanna Pressgrove, Public Works and Environmental Conservations Manager, City of Cathedral City, Calif.
Secured $1.5 million in funding since 2001 to help build onsite CNG fueling station.
Created a comprehensive Energy Action Plan to reduce energy consumption.
Supports development of the Coachella Valley Plug-in Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan.
Kelly Reagan, Fleet Administrator, City of Columbus, Ohio
City’s first CNG station has pumped more than 500,000 gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs), saving Columbus more than $600,000.
Chairman of MEMA-OH.
Three-time recipient of Sustainability Award for Columbus.
James Reinish, Manager, Central Automotive Division, Port Authority NY/NJ
Secured space at Port Authority’s airports to open three E-85 stations.
Opened the first hydrogen fueling station in New York City.
Worked with seven automotive shops to phase out hazardous cleaning products.
Mike Riley, President, Westco Express
Instituted driver incentive pay programs to encourage good driver behavior.
Has been a leader in reducing fuel use and overall emissions for mid-size fleets.
Increased fleet’s average mpg by more than 10 percent since 2009.
Abe Stephenson, Fleet and Administration Manager, Dish Network
Introduced 200 propane autogas vehicles, and onsite fueling into the fleet.
Focused on vehicle-specific solutions to reduce fuel and emissions.
Had fleetwide calibrations reducing 300 vans worth of emissions from roadways.
Charlie Stevenson, CAFM, Manager, Fleet and Materials Management, Aqua America
Received several Pennsylvania state grants for vehicles and infrastructure in 2014 to add more CNG vehicles to fleet.
Five-year plan includes addition of 90 large and small CNG vehicles in fleet.
Has a time-fill CNG station at Springfield, Pa., location.
John Talbot, Director of Fleet Services, Asplundh Tree Expert Co.
Launched a propane-powered 58-ft. aerial lift boom truck into fleet for the first time.
Asplundh has been a strong telematics user for several years now, with over 19,000 units installed on its fleet vehicles, and this technology has greatly improved the company’s overall fuel efficiency.
Planning to introduce dual-fueled (CNG/Gas) pickup trucks in the near future
Looking into dual-fueled (Propane/Gas) chippers
Jerome Webber, Vice President, Global Fleet and Transportation Management, AT&T
Deployed 10,200+ alt-fuel vehicles, including 8,000 dedicated-CNG service vehicles.
Developed strategy to rightsize fleet by replacing full-size service vehicles with more fuel efficient models.
Employed a garage-level sustainability program including tire and waste recycling.
Ed Yorek, Maintenance Manager, St. Cloud Metro Bus
Deployed 10,200+ alt-fuel vehicles, including 8,000 dedicated-CNG service vehicles.
Developed strategy to rightsize fleet by replacing full-size service vehicles with more fuel efficient models.
Employed a garage-level sustainability program including tire and waste recycling.
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