Celebrating Excellence: Lessons from 2025’s Fleet Manager of the Year Finalists

This year’s AFLA Corporate Fleet Conference in Florida once again proved to be a gathering of education, connection, and celebration for the fleet industry. One of the most exciting moments was the September 15 announcement that Joe Lukacs of The Sherwin-Williams Company was named the 2025 Fleet Manager of the Year, earning one of the fleet industry’s highest honors. This prestigious recognition, the Edward J. Bobit Fleet Manager of the Year Award, celebrates exceptional leadership, innovation, and the ability to tackle complex fleet challenges. Joe joins an impressive line of winners, following last year’s honoree, Sharon Etherington of Roche Diagnostics, both of whom are part of our Wheels family of clients.

The conference also celebrated the next generation of fleet leaders by presenting the Fleet Visionary Award to Taylor Murphy of Hilti North America. This award honors emerging professionals with fewer than ten years in the industry who are already driving meaningful change through bold ideas and strategic leadership. Taylor’s recognition highlighted how the fleet profession continues to evolve, where experience meets innovation, and where fresh perspectives are redefining what’s possible.

Leadership in Action

Joe, a Six Sigma Black Belt and fleet veteran, has built his career on process improvement, data-driven decision-making, and innovation. At Sherwin-Williams, he leads one of the industry’s largest mixed fleets, prioritizing safety, efficiency, and sustainability. His initiatives include introducing hybrid and electric vehicles, advancing custom safety solutions, and developing forecasting tools. Recognized as both an innovator and collaborator, Joe’s vision drives company success while shaping the future of fleet management. Joe was part of a remarkable group of 2025 finalists, which also included Wheels partners, Linda Ellis of UCB, and Charlie Schott of Rollins, Inc. While only one can take home the award, this year boasted a wealth of talent as all three fleet managers share qualities that demonstrate what exceptional fleet leadership looks like in today’s rapidly evolving industry. Their accomplishments revealed several common strategies and traits that point to why they are among the very best.

Five Qualities of Fleet Leadership Success

While countless traits drive fleet success, the following five stood above the rest:

A Visionary Approach to Environmental Sustainability

Each finalist has made environmental sustainability more than a talking point; it’s a strategic priority. Whether expanding hybrid and EV fleets, embedding sustainability into procurement decisions, or aligning directly with corporate environmental goals, all three leaders show how fleets can be operationally efficient and environmentally responsible.

Embracing Innovation and Technology

From building scalable EV programs and custom vehicle modifications to deploying automation and data dashboards, these fleet leaders harness new tools and technologies to solve problems. Their willingness to pilot emerging solutions and partner with OEMs and FMCs demonstrates a forward-looking mindset essential for long-term fleet success.

Strategic Process Improvement

Across the board, these finalists are disciplined in their approach to structure and efficiency. They redesign acquisition strategies, streamline lifecycle management, and develop repeatable systems to improve safety, reduce downtime, and manage costs. Their continuous-improvement mindset ensures operations remain resilient even in challenging environments.

Strong Stakeholder Engagement

All three leaders recognize that fleet management is as much about people as it is about vehicles. They gain buy-in from drivers, executives, suppliers, and various partners across their organization by creating clear policies, communicating effectively, and fostering a culture of collaboration. Their ability to lead change, whether introducing EVs or building a department from scratch, sets them apart.

Industry Leadership and Collaboration

These managers don’t just excel within their organizations; they give back to the broader fleet community. From advisory boards to pilot programs to mentoring peers, they actively contribute to industry progress. Their leadership extends beyond company walls, strengthening the profession.

Setting the Standard

The 2025 Fleet Manager of the Year finalists and winner—and this year’s Visionary Award winner—prove that the most successful leaders combine vision with execution, and innovation with collaboration. Their work demonstrates that fleet management is about more than vehicles; it’s about proactively shaping the future of mobility for the fleet industry and driving success for their companies.

Congratulations again to Joe Lukacs of Sherwin-Williams for his Fleet Manager of the Year Award, and to Taylor Murphy of Hilti North America, winner of the Fleet Visionary Award for exemplifying what outstanding fleet leadership looks like today.