Collaboration and Communication
Maria Neve is Vice President of eFMC Services, Inspiration Mobility and serves as NAFA Board President. @credit photo :NAFA
These key aspects of a fleet manager’s role are hugely important as we navigate through uncertain times.
It is an incredible honour for me to take on the role as NAFA Board President in 2025, and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone that encouraged and voted for me to seek out this position. It’s a huge responsibility and it comes at a pivotal time in the fleet management industry.
There is a lot of uncertainty out there, and a lot of changes are coming thick and fast. That’s why it’s so important to have an association that is able stay current with all these trends and keep our members informed. Whether its fleet managers and fleet professionals, vendors, and consultants, we’re all in this together and, collectively we will navigate through it.
Collaboration and engagement
Like many in this industry, I didn’t start out in fleet management. I went to law school and served in advocacy roles in Washington D.C. But working in that capacity and becoming passionate about legislative issues is what led me to NAFA. And once I got into the fleet management space, I never looked back. I joined NAFA’s Government Affairs Committee in 2014 and since then I’ve really gained appreciation for the level of work NAFA does on behalf of its members and what the association means to the industry. It really does emphasize the importance of leadership, innovation and collaboration. The role of a fleet manager is one that is incredibly cross-functional. You work with a whole range of different people and departments/organizations including human resources, finance, legal teams and risk assessment. Being able to operate effectively in this environment requires a high level of collaboration and engagement. This is why it’s so important to have an industry association that understands these aspects and challenges that fleet managers and others in the industry face on a daily basis.
Among the biggest issues currently facing the industry are supply chains and electrification. The issue of tariffs could have wide-reaching implications when it comes to supply chains, as well as vehicle availability, maintenance, not to mention the costs associated with delivering products and solutions to our customers.
Caveats to consider
Electrification is also another big topic for fleets. Over the last decade, we’ve seen a ramp up in creating more sustainable fleets and federal governments both in the U.S. and Canada provide incentives and regulation toward greater electrification. There are, however, caveats to consider.
Change in federal governments can have a profound impact on regulations and incentives, which is why it’s so important for fleet managers to be active when it comes to advocacy and communicating with legislators. An example is the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation that California announced to promote zero-emissions commercial trucks. In concept, the notion of creating more environmentally sustainable fleets and improving air quality is a noble one, but unless you consider the realities of operating a fleet today, such regulations can be very difficult, not to mention costly to achieve.
A voice for the industrys
That’s why it’s so important that [as fleet professionals we have a voice when it comes to state, provincial and federal governments. Not only does this help them understand what fleet managers do, but it also creates dialogue to ensure that when regulations are introduced, they are done so in a fair and reasonable manner. NAFA has and continues to be a great resource for this and it’s important for all of us to get involved.
As this article was being written, the annual NAFA I&E conference (April 28-30) in Long Beach, California, was fast approaching. I&E provides a unique opportunity for fleet management professionals to come together, gain insight into the current trends shaping the industry, as well as share knowledge, ideas and celebrate everything our incredible industry has to offer. It’s something I look forward to every year and represents one facet of an industry that has given me so much and that I’m honoured to serve.
