Roadrageous

Mark Lukenbill is the Head of Commercial Operations for MileMaker, the commercial mileage and routing technology that powers Rand McNally. He grew up riding along with truck driver uncles across the lower 48, graduated into freight brokerage during the 2008 financial crisis, and has spent the last six years working across transportation technology from TMS and procurement software to railroad operations before joining one of the most established names in North American mapping. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [1:51] How summers in an over-the-road cab shaped a career in freight technology [6:45] Why Google Maps and Apple Maps are the wrong tools for commercial fleets [9:17] The real cost of letting drivers override commercial routing decisions [14:34] How MileMaker is integrating with Bosch to add lane-level maintenance cost data [16:26] Why tech stack hygiene could save your company thousands this year [18:49] The right way to apply AI in fleet operations enhancing people, not replacing them [26:38] Why customer service quality is the most underrated factor in tech purchasing [28:05] Career advice for anyone entering the freight and transportation space In this episode… Most fleet operators assume routing is solved. It isn't. The gap between consumer GPS and commercial routing data is where fines, vehicle damage, and driver pay discrepancies quietly accumulate often without anyone connecting the dots. Mark Lukenbill breaks down why commercial routing is more complex than most people realize, what happens when fleets treat it as an afterthought, and how the right technology applied the right way turns a cost center into a competitive advantage. From AI-enhanced dispatching to tech stack hygiene to knowing when your current vendor has already built the solution you're looking for, this episode is dense with operational insight. Key Takeaways Commercial routing and consumer GPS are not interchangeable using the wrong tool creates hidden costs that rarely surface as obvious line items. When shippers base payment on commercial routes, drivers who deviate cost their own companies money without either party realizing it. Tech stack hygiene regularly reviewing what you actually use and what your vendors have recently built consistently finds savings and surfaces solutions already owned. AI in fleet operations should automate mechanical tasks to free operator capacity for higher-value work not replace the judgment that complex freight requires. Resources Mentioned Mark Lukenbill on LinkedIn MileMaker by Rand McNally SPIDER Driver Training by IMPROV Learning NAFA Fleet Management Association Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn

Derek Legg is a Commercial Insurance Advisor at Levitt Group of Colorado, where he works with contractor and service fleets across high-exposure industries to manage risk, control premiums, and avoid the kind of catastrophic claims that can shut a small operation down. In this episode of Road Rageous, Derek breaks down the specific vulnerabilities that most small fleet operators are carrying without knowing it, and what they can do about them right now.    Derek and host Chad Lindholm cover the risk profile of young drivers in contractor fleets, why cell phone distraction is chronically under-coached, how maintenance habits affect carrier underwriting, and the case for cameras as exoneration tools. They also dig into the MVR gap and the post-incident documentation step that separates clean claims from costly disputes.    This episode is built for fleet owners and operators who run without a dedicated safety department. If every insurance renewal feels personal, and every incident hits the bottom line directly, Derek's practical framework gives you a starting point that does not require a large budget or a full-time safety team.    Learn more: improvlearning.com/fleet-training | improvlearning.com | levittgroup.com    Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  The young driver risk that contractors consistently underestimate  Why cell phone distraction is under-coached in small fleets  How vehicle maintenance affects carrier underwriting and premiums  Why post-incident documentation determines claim outcomes  The MVR gap: most contractors hire before checking driving records  How cameras protect and exonerate drivers more than they surveil them  Why nuclear verdicts are no longer just a large-fleet problem  Three specific fixes every 10-truck fleet should make this year 

Fleet Is Not the Stepchild: Nicholas Bradshaw on Professionalizing Municipal Fleet Management Nicholas Bradshaw, Director of Fleet Services for the City of Knoxville, leads a 1,700-vehicle municipal fleet with a philosophy rooted in people-first hiring, life cycle analytics, and innovation. In this episode, he breaks down why fleet gets overlooked, what it takes to change that, and the practical steps he is taking in Knoxville to build a more professional, visible, and financially accountable fleet operation. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: How a career in building inspections and HR led to fleet leadership Why an HR background changes how you hire and manage a fleet team Fleet as the invisible backbone of city operations The case for life cycle data and total cost of ownership modeling Why fleet is on the leading edge of municipal innovation How Knoxville is using 3D printing to solve supply chain problems Telematics, fuel management, and moving from reactive to proactive maintenance Why fleet technicians are really IT professionals now Advice for anyone considering a career in public fleet management Key topics include Knoxville's use of 3D printing to manufacture parts in-house during supply chain disruptions, how telematics shifted the department from reactive to proactive, why hiring for attitude beats hiring for credentials, and how fleet managers can make the business case for life cycle replacement funding. Nicholas also shares his perspective on professionalizing the fleet industry through certifications, analytics, and intentional advocacy. If you work in public fleet or are considering a career in fleet management, this episode is a direct and energizing look at why the field matters more than most people realize. Resources: knoxvilletn.gov | improvlearning.com/fleet-training | apwa.net Good to go, or any tweaks needed?

Steven Mock is the Risk Mitigation Director at Brown and Brown and a Certified Safety Professional with 18 years of experience in safety training, compliance, underwriting, and fleet risk management. His track record includes taking a fleet from a 300% loss ratio to 21% in three years while tripling its size.  In this Road Rageous episode, Steve challenges the assumption that fleet safety is primarily a driver behavior problem. Most claims, he argues, trace back to failures in administrative controls: outdated training, unenforced policies, and telematics systems nobody uses. He makes the financial case for safety as a core value, not a priority, and shares the I-75 collision that permanently shaped how he thinks about defensive driving.  Key topics in this episode:  The collision on I-75 that turned Steve from safety advocate to true believer  The picture frame on the visor: building emotional buy-in for safe driving  Why both new drivers and 20-year veterans are your highest-risk groups  Why 85% of insurance claims trace back to administrative control failures  How to use telematics scorecards the same way you use a P&L  The NIOSH hierarchy of controls applied to fleet risk  Safe production versus production at any cost: the math always favors safety  Publicly praise, privately reprimand: leadership lessons from the Marine Corps  Connect with Steven Mock on LinkedIn or email [email protected].  Read the full episode article at improvlearning.com. 

From Dealership to #1: How Tallahassee Fleet Became America's Municipal Gold Standard Libsyn Show Notes Version Guest: Jeff Shepard, Fleet Manager, City of Tallahassee, Florida Topic: Building the 2025 #1 Municipal Fleet in America Duration: [Podcast Duration] Episode Summary Jeff Shepard transformed Tallahassee's 2,900-vehicle municipal fleet into America's #1 ranked operation. Starting as a dealership technician 32 years ago, Jeff built a 24/7 operation that manages police, fire, utilities, transit, solid waste, and airport operations while running 150 electric vehicles, 30 electric buses, public charging infrastructure, and in-house CDL training programs that have certified 180+ drivers. His secret: customer service mindset, radical transparency, relentless team support, and zero excuses on safety. Timestamps [1:12] From tractor sales to 32-year municipal fleet career [2:07] How customer service culture transformed city fleet operations [2:35] The Tallahassee way: no excuses on driver safety [2:47] Building career progression for technicians [3:08] Telematics and driver cameras across 2,900 vehicles [4:04] Overcoming driver resistance through exoneration stories [6:47] Managing 1 million miles monthly [7:10] Operating 150 EVs, 30 electric buses, public charging [8:24] 24/7 hurricane response and mutual aid operations [13:11] Building a 110-person team that never sleeps [16:57] Transparency dashboards: the #1 competitive advantage [17:31] Why manager-level buy-in changes everything [19:08] Owning mistakes and building diverse teams [19:55] Non-negotiables: brakes, safety, human life [21:16] In-house CDL training (certified 180+ drivers) [22:43] Writing training into vendor contracts [27:01] Advice for new fleet managers Key Takeaways ✓ Transparency is foundational — Create dashboards showing every department their vehicle mileage, downtime, repair history, and costs in real time ✓ Camera adoption works through exoneration — Start with one department, use driver protection stories, let other departments request adoption rather than mandate it ✓ 1M+ monthly miles requires telematics — Accurate mileage tracking and fault code monitoring aren't optional for diverse fleets ✓ In-house CDL training scales — When external programs can't meet demand, certified internal training programs deliver 180+ certified drivers ✓ Leadership buy-in transforms perception — When top management recognizes fleet as mission-critical infrastructure, everything changes ✓ 24/7 operations need 24/7 teams — Transit buses cleaned and ready at 5 AM, night crews fueling and repairing continuously ✓ Vendor contracts should include training — Make supplier training mandatory—it's cheaper than developing expertise in-house ✓ Embed factory technicians — Use maintenance contracts to place vendor specialists in your shop for complex equipment ✓ Non-negotiables center on human life — Vehicle safety (especially brakes) and technician safety can't be compromised for efficiency ✓ Support your team first — Train continuously, provide pathways, and back them when mistakes happen Quotable Moments "City of Tallahassee has a great organization with great benefits. So I said, man, I need to get on board with these guys." "We run a data-driven customer service operation. They're our customers. We don't dictate to them their equipment." "Just no excuses on driver safety. When we repair something, it's got to be back out on the road safely." "It saved the drivers more than it has called heartache on them because we always get driver complaints from the citizens and they pulled the camera up and said, no, he did not do that." "Our vehicles travel over 1 million miles a month here in town." "Transparency is my biggest thing. We have a dashboard that all of our customers can see." "You've got to get buy-in from the top, the manager's office." "If you make a mistake, just own it and go back and fix it. Bring your team involved, because your team's going to really give you great advice." "That's just non-negotiable to make mistakes and put our citizens and our customers in jeopardy—there's the human life that's involved with it." "Support your team and train and educate your team. That's the biggest thing." Action Items for Fleet Leaders Immediate (This Month) Create a transparency dashboard showing your top 3 metrics (mileage, downtime, costs) Schedule a meeting with your executive leadership to explain why fleet is mission-critical Identify one safety non-negotiable and communicate it to your team Short-Term (Next Quarter) Audit your technician training programs—identify skill gaps Start one in-house training initiative (CDL, vehicle-specific, or safety) Review vendor contracts—which ones should include training requirements? Long-Term (This Year) Build comprehensive telematics across your fleet Develop a camera/exoneration program starting with one department Create clear career progression pathways for technicians Establish monthly safety committee meetings with team input Resources Mentioned Jeff Shepard on LinkedIn City of Tallahassee Fleet Services SPIDER Driver Training by IMPROVLearning Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn Gary Alexander on LinkedIn American Public Works Association (APWA) Guest Profile Jeff Shepard is Fleet Manager for the City of Tallahassee, Florida, overseeing the 2025 #1 ranked fleet in America. With over 32 years of experience starting as a dealership technician, Jeff manages approximately 2,900 vehicles across police, fire, emergency services, utilities, transit, solid waste, airport operations, and the city's own power generation facilities. Under his leadership, Tallahassee operates 24/7, manages 1 million vehicle miles monthly, maintains 150 electric vehicles and 30+ electric buses, operates public EV charging infrastructure, and runs certified in-house CDL training programs that have certified 180+ drivers. His 110+ employee team includes 55 technicians, factory-trained specialists, and support staff. Jeff is known for his customer service approach to fleet management, radical transparency through real-time dashboards, uncompromising safety standards, and his commitment to team development. His philosophy: own your mistakes, support your team, train continuously, and never compromise on things involving human life. About This Episode This episode is part of the Roadrageous podcast series, where we interview fleet leaders, safety innovators, and operations experts driving real change in transportation and logistics. Brought to you by IMPROVLearning At IMPROVLearning, we understand that the #1 fleet requires more than technology and transparency—it requires trained drivers. Jeff Shepard's operation demonstrates the power of in-house training programs combined with proven behavior change methodology. SPIDER™ Driver Training develops the cognitive skills that prevent incidents across diverse fleets: hazard recognition, space management, and decision-making processes that work whether drivers are responding to hurricanes or navigating school zones. When you're managing 2,900 vehicles traveling 1 million miles monthly, every driver matters. Training determines outcomes. Learn more about IMPROVLearning

From South Dakota to Florida: Patti Earley on 40 Years in Fleet Leadership Patti Earley is the Fleet Fuel Operations Manager at Florida Power and Light and a past president of NAFA Fleet Management Association. With more than 40 years in the industry, she is one of the most recognized voices in fleet today and the inaugural recipient of NAFA's Tom Johnson Award. In this Road Rageous episode, Patti discusses the evolution of women in fleet leadership, what it takes to manage fuel operations for a 5,800-vehicle emergency response fleet, and the leadership traits that have sustained a four-decade career. Key topics in this episode: How fleet management has evolved for women over 40-plus years Operational challenges of managing a utility fleet through hurricane season FPL's approach to biodiesel, EVs, and alternative fuel transition at scale Why adaptability and persistence are the traits that last FPL's Rewire initiative and thoughtful AI adoption Building technician pipelines through trade schools and military SkillBridge programs Mentorship, certification, and what NAFA has meant to a long career Timestamps: [1:01] How a college job at South Dakota State University launched a 40+ year fleet career [2:20] Evolution of women in fleet leadership: from rare to reshaping the industry [4:10] Mentorship and professional networks as career catalysts for women entering fleet [6:03] Fleet Fuel Operations at FPL: managing 3,800 vehicles across emergency response operations [7:11] Hurricane restoration logistics and the pressures of emergency response fleet management [9:10] Fuel diversification strategy: biodiesel, hybrids, EVs, and infrastructure constraints [12:05] Technology adoption mindset: early adopter, but strategically selective [14:30] The Rewire project: how FPL is embracing AI company-wide and making jobs more efficient [18:35] The real concern: technology displacement, retraining, and ethical adoption [20:08] Workforce development through technical school partnerships and SkillBridge program [22:22] Why today's diesel technicians aren't wrench-turners—they're highly technical professionals [23:50] Leadership traits for an era of disruption: adaptability, persistence, calm under stress [25:30] The confidence habit: preparation as the antidote to imposter syndrome In this episode… Patti Earley represents a rare combination: a four-decade veteran of fleet management who actively embraces technological disruption while remaining grounded in people-first leadership. She's seen the industry transform from a male-dominated field where women were nearly invisible to one where women are reshaping leadership at every level—three of the last six NAFA presidents have been women. But this episode isn't about nostalgia. It's about how leaders prepare for the future. As AI and automation reshape fleet operations—from route optimization to predictive maintenance to autonomous vehicle research—organizations need leaders who understand both the technology opportunity and the human reality. That's Patti. At Florida Power & Light, she manages 3,800 vehicles, 5,800 pieces of equipment, and 100 diesel technicians across 29 garages. She oversees 80% diesel operations (70% biodiesel), plus hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles. She stages emergency response fleets during hurricanes and coordinates massive restoration efforts. She's launching company-wide AI adoption through the Rewire project while simultaneously investing in workforce development through technical school partnerships and military transition programs. How does she balance innovation with pragmatism? Disruption with stability? Technology with people? That's the real conversation. Connect with Patti Earley on LinkedIn. If you are a young woman considering a career in fleet, she is open to the conversation. Read the full episode article at improvlearning.com.  

Silent Support, Massive Impact Craig Croner is Deputy Director of Fleet Operations for the City of Glendale with 30+ years experience managing 1,500 assets across police, fire, waste, and municipal operations. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [1:27] From high school shop class to 30 years in fleet leadership [5:32] What "invisible infrastructure" really means in municipal operations [8:11] Managing everything from police cars to combine harvesters [10:06] Why onboarding safety training is non-negotiable [12:17] The evolution from paper files to integrated fleet management systems [13:22] How GPS technology went from "Big Brother" to exoneration tool [17:43] The parking lot story: How GPS saved a driver's reputation [21:04] The cardiac event rescue: GPS technology that saved a life [22:57] Advice for new fleet managers entering the industry [27:44] Why "adaptive" is the future of fleet operations In this episode… Most cities run invisible infrastructure. Firefighters respond, police intervene, waste trucks collect—but nobody thinks about the fleet operations behind it all. After 30 years in fleet management, Craig Croner proved that invisibility isn't a limitation—it's the goal. Managing 1,500 assets so smoothly that operators never think about vehicles. Integrating GPS, telematics, and safety seamlessly. Reframing technology from surveillance to support. Listen to how Craig built excellence that nobody sees. Quotable Moments: "Hopefully they get to do their job without thinking about the vehicle. That's our job." "We're the silent source that gets things done." "The first thing that comes to an operator's mind is, 'Oh, it's Big Brother looking at me.'" "We're not looking at you. We're looking at things where we can exonerate you." "In a million years, I would never have thought I could use GPS to help a family find answers in a crisis." "There's a difference between being on the cutting edge and the bleeding edge of technology." Action Steps: Define fleet's support role clearly. Ensure operators won't have to think about vehicle reliability. Invest in comprehensive onboarding safety training. Day one means full safety certification for new technicians. Build integration into technology strategy. GPS, telematics, and maintenance platforms should talk to each other. Test and pilot before scaling. Know your ROI before investing broadly. Reframe GPS technology as support, not surveillance. Train supervisors to tell the real story: optimization, efficiency, exoneration. Use GPS for driver exoneration first. Collect stories where technology proved your driver was right. Be on the cutting edge, not the bleeding edge. Adopt technology after proven track record, not day one. Accept the invisibility. Your greatest success is when nobody knows you're there. The Invisible Infrastructure Craig manages everything from police cars to fire trucks to waste vehicles to graders. In the private sector, you specialize. In public sector, you become a generalist. "You can't be specialized in one specific field. You have to be really good at multiple fields and understand the equipment." Safety starts on day one: comprehensive onboarding for technicians covering lifting vehicles, overhead cranes, and all safety protocols. But safety also means every vehicle leaving the yard is safe for the operator. One tire flying off due to improper torque creates real consequences. Technology evolved from paper files (1996) to integrated platforms. Today, Geotab GPS talks to FASTER fleet management. A driver reports a vehicle issue and it automatically generates a work order. Diagnostic codes surface before failures happen. From "Big Brother" to Exoneration Tool When GPS first appeared, operators feared surveillance. Craig's solution: reframe it. "It's up to fleet management to sell the program not based on 'it's a gotcha,' but 'it really helps us drive being more efficient,'" he explains. Fuel optimization, idle time reduction, vehicle diagnostics, cost savings. But the most powerful benefit? Exoneration. A code compliance officer gets backed into by another vehicle in a parking lot. The at-fault driver claims the fleet vehicle hit them. GPS data showed exactly what happened—and exonerated the driver completely. "That word gets out. You have to be able to pinpoint those things and raise that awareness. It's not just about Big Brother. It actually helps you guard against something." The culture shifted. Operators started trusting technology because they saw it work in their favor. The Cardiac Event: When GPS Became a Family Support Tool A code compliance officer suffered a cardiac event and became non-responsive at the VA hospital. His wife, searching for answers, contacted the supervisor. GPS immediately confirmed the vehicle location at the hospital and relayed it to the family. The technology didn't alert emergency responders or activate rescue protocols—instead, it gave the spouse the critical information she needed to locate her husband and connect with hospital staff. This single detail transformed GPS from a surveillance tool into genuine family protection Testing Before Scaling Craig has seen implementations fail when organizations hope technology solves problems. "The worst implementations are always, 'We hope that it does this,' or they're not testing as they implement," he says. His approach: pilot, test, measure ROI, then scale. Will it save man hours? Improve DOT compliance? Free up staff for meaningful work? "There's a difference between being on the cutting edge and the bleeding edge of technology." Advice for New Fleet Managers Find a mentor. Get certified through APWA programs. Join GFX (Government Fleet Executives). Remember that fleet exists to enable frontline operations. "Fleet management isn't for the weak. But there's a lot of rewards because when you see a fire truck on scene, you know you played a role." Key Takeaways ✓ Fleet's job is invisibility—make vehicles work so operators never think about them ✓ Comprehensive onboarding prevents workplace incidents ✓ Integrate systems so inspections automatically generate work orders ✓ Reframe GPS from surveillance to support through exoneration ✓ Test and pilot technology before scaling ✓ Use GPS for driver exoneration stories to build trust ✓ Be on the cutting edge, not the bleeding edge ✓ Greatest success is when nobody notices you're there Resources mentioned in this episode: Craig Croner on LinkedIn City of Glendale Fleet Services GFX – Government Fleet Executives APWA – American Public Works Association Geotab GPS & Telematics SPIDER® Driver Training Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn Gary Alexander on LinkedIn About Craig Croner Craig Croner is Deputy Director of Fleet Operations for the City of Glendale, Arizona, leading a team of 36 managing 1,500 assets across police, fire, solid waste, and municipal operations. With 30+ years of fleet management experience spanning beverage industry safety direction and centralized fleet services for the City of Boise, Craig brings a unique perspective on complex public sector infrastructure. A nationally recognized speaker and GFX advisor, Craig was inducted into the 2025 Public Fleet Hall of Fame for advancing fleet operations and technology integration in the public sector. This episode is brought to you by IMPROVLearning. At IMPROVLearning, we're dedicated to transforming driver education through innovative, research-backed training methods. Our SPIDER™ Driver Training platform combines humor with proven brain-training techniques to help drivers anticipate and avoid dangers on the road. Fleet operations provide the vehicles. SPIDER training develops the cognitive skills that complement your fleet infrastructure: hazard recognition, space management, and split-second decision-making. To learn more about how IMPROVLearning complements your fleet strategy, visit improvlearning.com.

We're in the People Business: How Waste Connections Puts Culture Over Compliance Brandon Leonard is the Region Safety Manager at Waste Connections with over 20 years of fleet experience. He leads safety strategy across waste and recycling operations, emphasizing servant leadership, people-first culture, and empowering frontline employees to make safe decisions in complex operating environments. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [1:11] How washing trucks at 17 led to a safety leadership career [4:45] What a day in the life of a waste collection driver actually looks like [7:46] Unique safety challenges in waste management operations [10:39] Balancing safety, performance, and service reliability [14:16] Interview questions that reveal safety mindset [17:48] Why onboarding never stops at day 15 [22:07] Using DriveCam to coach behavior, not punish outcomes [28:35] Managing change without overcomplicating safety programs [32:44] The one thing every safety leader must genuinely do In this episode… Waste collection drivers start their routes between midnight and 6 AM, navigating blind spots, hydraulic systems, and residential streets where impatient drivers create daily risks. They shake containers at 3 AM to check for sleeping occupants. They build relationships with customers multiple times every month. And they do this in every weather condition imaginable. This isn't typical fleet operations. This is waste management—and it demands a fundamentally different approach to safety. According to Brandon Leonard, the key isn't compliance checklists or disciplinary action. It's culture. It's hiring people who genuinely care. It's leaders who serve their teams instead of managing metrics. It's technology that prevents incidents instead of just reacting to them. After 6½ years in safety leadership, Brandon discovered something critical: Safety managers don't drive results directly. District managers, supervisors, and frontline leaders do. Brandon's job is to influence them and equip them with everything needed to keep their teams safe. His insight: Strong safety practices make consistent service possible. Reliability comes from drivers empowered to say "I'm not comfortable with this stop"—and meaning it. In this Roadrageous episode, Brandon reveals how Waste Connections builds safety cultures that scale, why "be safe but hurry up" creates dangerous pressure, and what happens when you genuinely care about people in an industry that never stops moving. Quotable Moments: "We're in the people business and we pick up trash. But who we are is we're in the people business." "If there's not a driver that reports directly to you, how do you affect change? Those are the ones you gotta influence." "We expect high performance, but never at the expense of safety. Never." "Telling people to be safe but to hurry up doesn't work. We have found that out time and time again." "We want to coach to prevent, not coach to react." "If you don't care about people, you shouldn't be in leadership." "Safety is more than compliance. You have to genuinely care about people." "Everybody wants to do great work. They're not doing it wrong because they want to do it wrong." Action Steps: Ask deep-diving interview questions that reveal authentic safety mindset—not yes/no answers Extend onboarding beyond day 15 by treating it as 90+ days of continuous check-ins Empower drivers to refuse unsafe stops by making it clear that saying "I'm not comfortable" is expected Use DriveCam to coach proactively, not react with discipline after the fact Defend drivers when AI gets it wrong by removing false positives and building trust in the system Train leaders on servant leadership, not just driver safety procedures Start change management by explaining "why" instead of just announcing policies Keep safety programs simple—complexity creates confusion and resistance Build teams that challenge you by creating psychological safety for difficult conversations Care genuinely about people while still measuring what matters The Hidden Complexity of Waste Collection When people think about waste collection, they picture a simple pickup. The reality is far more complex. Drivers conduct pre-trip inspections between midnight and 6 AM, then operate trucks with hydraulics, manage extreme blind spots, navigate tight alleys, and deal with an impatient public. On commercial routes, they face a unique challenge: people sleeping in dumpsters. Brandon explains the procedure: "We're servicing at 3 AM. We train to shake containers to make sure nobody's in there. There's a lot of time people are sleeping in there. That's scary for everyone." Beyond safety concerns, the job is intensely physical. Drivers work in all weather conditions, and they're also doing something critical: building customer relationships that lead to contract renewals. "They're not only picking up the trash," Brandon says. "They're getting contracts through great service and great humanity." The "Be Safe But Hurry Up" Problem Every fleet struggles with the tension between safety and productivity. Brandon confronts it directly. "Productivity matters. Numbers matter. KPIs matter," he acknowledges. "But telling people to be safe but to hurry up doesn't work." The message creates cognitive dissonance and pressure where judgment lapses happen. But Brandon also challenges the inverse: "Slow doesn't automatically mean safer. If you're going 35 on a 75-mile-an-hour highway, that's not safe." The solution is empowerment. "We expect high performance, but never at the expense of safety. Reliability comes from drivers who feel empowered to make the right decisions all the time." This works because drivers see conditions supervisors don't. Construction changes traffic patterns. New buildings create visibility issues. What was safe last year might not be safe today. Hiring for Safety: The Questions That Matter Most safety failures don't start on the road. They start in the interview. "Don't just hire butts in seats," Brandon warns. "When you're down three or four drivers, it's easy to make those decisions. But usually you're just in a vicious cycle for six months to a year." Here's what doesn't work: "Is safety a value to you?"—followed by the expected answer "Yes" with zero information gained. Here's what works: "What does safety mean to you?" "Give me a time when you were unsafe, how that made you feel, and how you corrected it." "Have you seen coworkers do something unsafe, and how did you respond?" "You're asking questions and getting to know who they are," Brandon explains. "They're authentically answering because they don't expect those." The key hiring criterion isn't experience. It's genuine care about safety and others. Onboarding That Never Ends Waste Connections has a 15-day onboarding program with 23 modules. But Brandon's philosophy goes deeper: Onboarding doesn't stop at day 15. "You have to continuously talk to this employee to see how they're doing. Onboarding is 90 days, six months—it could be whatever it is." Instead of cramming modules, drivers complete two per day—a pace designed for retention, not just completion. "If you throw a whole bunch of knowledge at them, they're just starting, nervous, and they're never going to retain any of that information." The program prioritizes culture over tactics by teaching who the company is first, then how to do the job. "We want to get their buy-in, get their family's buy-in to who they are working for." DriveCam: Exoneration Over Discipline Brandon's approach separates average programs from exceptional ones. "DriveCam is one of our number one tools. But we want to coach to prevent, not coach to react." They view cameras as exoneration tools first, coaching tools second, and disciplinary tools last. "It exonerates our employees a lot more than it hurts them. When it can show everything they're doing right—because they do so much right—it helps them get confidence in the system." Brandon sees proof in driver behavior: drivers come in saying "Hey, this is what I did. Let's talk about it," or "Look at this incident I avoided by being alert and aware." That's trust, not fear. But this only works if leaders coach rather than just discipline. "If you use this as a disciplinary tool and don't put the time and energy to make them better—doing ride-alongs, taking them to lunch, getting to know them—you're failing them." When AI Gets It Wrong Brandon's response: Defend your drivers. "You can't allow AI to coach your employees. AI is not right 100% of the time. It's your job to defend your employees and say, 'This guy's doing everything right. We need to remove this.'" This builds invaluable respect and trust. He also warns against soft coaching, which destroys credibility. Either the behavior was unsafe and needs correction, or it wasn't and should be removed. Training Leaders, Not Just Drivers Most fleet safety programs focus exclusively on drivers. Waste Connections invests heavily in leadership development. "It's not just drivers you're training. It's district managers, division vice presidents. Training never stops for any of us." But the training isn't about safety procedures—it's about serving people. "We bring people to corporate for specific trainings—not how to be safer, how to get to know your people better. How do you serve your people that then will follow you to be safer?" Change Management: Start With Why Brandon's approach comes down to three principles: 1. Start with Why. "People need to understand why you're doing something—not just because it's a policy. People are far more willing to embrace change when they understand the reason behind it." 2. Get Input (Even If You Can't Change the Outcome). "If you get people's input, at least they had a word in it. Doesn't mean you have to do what they said, but you have to listen." 3. Keep It Simple. "Simple scales a lot better every time. There's a reason why safety is struggling when things are overcomplicated." Most importantly: Build teams that can challenge you. "If people don't feel comfortable saying, 'I don't think this will work,' then I'm failing as a leader." Advice for Aspiring Safety Leaders Brandon's counsel for those new to fleet safety: Safety Is More Than Compliance. "You have to genuinely care about people. Wear your heart on your sleeve. When people know you care, that'll drive influence in anything you do." Humility Matters More Than Credentials. "Certifications and degrees help. But don't ever replace humility, curiosity, and the ability just to listen." Expect Emotional Difficulty. "This job gets hard. When you're getting reports of incidents or fatalities—those are the worst things. When you care about people, those get hard." Care or Leave. "If you're going to be just a metric-driven person on spreadsheets, you're not going to have a long career in safety. You got to care about people. That's the number one thing." Brandon's ultimate summary: "Safety is a people business." Key Takeaways ✓ Ask deep-diving interview questions that reveal authentic safety mindset—not yes/no answers ✓ Extend onboarding beyond day 15—treat it as 90+ days of continuous check-ins ✓ Balance productivity and safety by empowering drivers to refuse unsafe stops ✓ Use DriveCam to exonerate and coach proactively—not just discipline reactively ✓ Defend drivers when AI alerts are wrong—this builds trust in technology ✓ Train leaders on servant leadership and getting to know their people ✓ Start change management by explaining "why"—not just announcing new policies ✓ Keep safety programs simple—complexity creates confusion and resistance ✓ Build teams where people feel comfortable challenging your decisions ✓ Care genuinely about people—metrics matter, but people come first always Conclusion Brandon Leonard's 6½ years in safety leadership—built on a foundation of 20+ years in operations—offers a masterclass in building safety cultures that actually work. His approach isn't about checklists, compliance audits, or disciplinary hammers. It's about hiring people who care, training leaders to serve, empowering frontline employees to make safe decisions, and using technology to prevent incidents rather than just document them. Most importantly, he demonstrates that the most effective safety programs aren't built on fear or enforcement. They're built on relationships, trust, and a genuine commitment to putting people first. "We're in the people business and we pick up trash," Brandon reminds us. "But who we are is we're in the people business." Resources mentioned in this episode: Brandon Leonard on LinkedIn Waste Connections SPIDER® Driver Training Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn Gary Alexander on LinkedIn Network of Employers for Traffic Safety About Brandon Leonard Brandon Leonard is the Region Safety Manager at Waste Connections, where he leads safety strategy across complex waste and recycling operations spanning residential, commercial, landfill, and material recovery facilities. With over 20 years of experience in transportation and logistics—including roles at UPS and as director of operations at an over-the-road trucking company—Brandon brings a unique operations-first perspective to safety leadership. His career began at 17, washing trucks and working his way through dispatch, fleet management, and operational leadership before transitioning to safety six years ago. Brandon's approach centers on servant leadership, hiring people who genuinely care about safety, and building cultures where frontline employees feel empowered to make the right decisions. Brandon is known for his people-first philosophy: "We're in the people business and we pick up trash." He believes that if leaders don't genuinely care about people, they shouldn't be in leadership—a conviction that drives his approach to training, technology adoption, and change management across the organization. This episode is brought to you by IMPROVLearning. At IMPROVLearning, we're dedicated to transforming driver education through innovative, research-backed training methods. Our SPIDER™ Driver Training platform combines humor with proven brain-training techniques to help drivers anticipate and avoid dangers on the road. Technology like DriveCam and AI-based alerts provides incredible visibility into driver behavior. But technology alone doesn't change outcomes—trained drivers do. SPIDER training develops the cognitive skills that complement your fleet technology investments: hazard recognition, space management, and split-second decision making under pressure. To learn more about how IMPROVLearning complements your coaching strategy and technology investments, visit improvlearning.com.

Municipal fleets operate under a microscope. Every dollar is taxpayer money. Every decision faces scrutiny. Every vehicle supports critical public services. So how do you balance innovation, sustainability, and reliability at massive scale? Eric Winterset knows. As Fleet Services Bureau Manager for the City of Long Beach, he oversees 1,600 rolling stock units serving police, fire, refuse, helicopters, boats, and beach maintenance. Under his leadership, Long Beach has become an early adopter of AI-powered predictive maintenance, automated tire monitoring, and flexible EV infrastructure—while managing operations that never stop. In this episode, Eric reveals: How AI predictive maintenance increased fleet availability from 90% to 93% Why he intentionally let vehicles break down to prove the technology works The automated tire monitoring posts eliminating surprise downtime Flexible EV infrastructure strategies (solar chargers, propane trailers) that bridge the gap before permanent installations Why major EV manufacturers are pausing production—and what it means for fleet planning The hidden training challenge nobody discusses (spoiler: it's not just about vehicles) Real differences between private and public sector fleet operations How Long Beach manages one of only three municipal towing operations in the U.S. Whether you're in municipal fleet management, considering EV adoption, or navigating technology implementation at scale, Eric's nearly 30 years of experience offers practical frameworks for pilots, buy-in, and flexibility. Listen now to discover how Long Beach is building the fleet of the future—one innovation at a time. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Eric Winterset on LinkedIn City of Long Beach Fleet Services Pitstop – AI Predictive Maintenance SPIDER® Driver Training Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn Gary Alexander on LinkedIn Network of Employers for Traffic Safety Long Beach City College Subscribe for more fleet safety insights and industry innovations! SPONSORED BY: IMPROV Learning Transform driver education with SPIDER™ Driver Training—research-backed methods that help drivers anticipate and avoid dangers on the road. Visit: https://www.improvlearning.com/ #FleetManagement #MunicipalFleet #PredictiveMaintenance #AIinFleet #EVInfrastructure #Sustainability #FleetSafety #RoadRageous #Podcast

EPISODE SUMMARY: Fleets have safety policies everywhere—but drivers make real-time decisions about whether to follow them. Nancy Bendickson reveals how systematic gap assessment transforms disconnected safety programs into accountability structures that actually stick, turning telematics alerts into behavioral change through collaborative implementation, not top-down mandates. With 40+ years of experience in safety leadership and risk control, Nancy has shaped safety programs for multinational corporations, led global fleet audits, and investigated everything from routine crashes to complex international incidents. As Aon's GRC thought leader for transportation safety, she partners with large clients to analyze loss data, uncover risk drivers, and build strategies that meaningfully reduce risk. In this episode, we explore what separates fleets that transform their safety outcomes from those stuck in compliance theater—and the collaborative, data-driven approach that actually works. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: [2:59] How a dietetics degree led Nancy into insurance risk analysis and why her unconventional path shaped her safety approach [5:11] Why people stay in safety careers for decades—and what makes the work truly rewarding [6:12] The gap assessment framework: Your starting point for meaningful safety improvement (what to evaluate, why it matters) [10:54] The most common safety gaps Nancy finds across fleets (and why they systematically undermine programs) [12:30] Why management buy-in is non-negotiable for safety program success (and how to build it) [15:15] How telematics transformed fleet safety monitoring—and why data without action creates liability [18:45] The critical difference between telematics data (what happened) and fleet cameras (why it happened) [20:22] Building accountability structures when drivers make real-time safety decisions in the field [30:51] Creating collaborative safety implementation that gains genuine organizational buy-in [36:56] How to reduce total cost of risk through strategic loss prevention and targeted initiatives [40:29] What's next: Making telematics implementation truly effective in 2025 and beyond KEY TAKEAWAYS: The gap assessment process examines 8 critical areas: management support, driver selection, training, vehicle management, substance abuse programs, incident management, driver monitoring, and accountability/role clarity Many organizations implement telematics but fail to maximize impact because they lack processes around data management, coaching protocols, corrective action, and continuous monitoring Effective safety programs require collaborative planning, not consultant prescriptions—genuine organizational buy-in separates successful programs from those that fade Forward-facing cameras provide critical context that telematics alone cannot—showing not just what happened, but why and who was at fault The real gap in fleet safety isn't data collection; it's turning data into driver behavior change through structured coaching and accountability Safety leaders who succeed are those who remain flexible, learn continuously, and adapt their approach as organizational needs change Total cost of risk reduction involves frequency management, severity management, documented loss control practices, and sustainable safety culture GUEST BIO: Nancy Bendickson is a Managing Consultant at Aon with over 40 years of experience in safety leadership, risk control, and strategic loss prevention. She partners with large casualty clients to analyze loss data, uncover key risk drivers, and implement targeted strategies for meaningful risk reduction across fleet operations, occupational safety, and general liability exposures. Her career spans diverse roles including 14 years in insurance loss control, leadership at Minnesota Safety Council, corporate safety management at Cargill (where she led global fleet task forces), and 29 years at Aon. She has conducted safety audits for multinational corporations, investigated incidents internationally (including a notable truck accident in Papua New Guinea), and contributes expertise to the EMS Safety Foundation. As Aon's GRC thought leader for transportation and food safety, Nancy brings rare combination of operational insight and technical mastery. Her work demonstrates that effective safety leadership requires honest assessment, collaborative implementation, and unwavering focus on reducing risk. QUOTABLE MOMENTS: "When I get a new assignment, I need to figure out what's the current state. Where are their pain points? What are their trends for losses?" "We have telematics data now. How well are you managing that data? Do you have a process in place to help you make sure that events are being handled?" "As a consultant, I can only go so far, but if we can gain some buy in and have this ongoing strategy, we're going to have more success." "Now we have a true picture of what happened. Where did it happen? And we can know, yep, I need to definitely settle that one right away, because we know we've got fault there." "The big lot in life for us in casualty risk control is, how can I impact that total cost of risk for a client?" "You got to be flexible and just kind of be ready to move and change as the client is providing focus for you." TOPICS DISCUSSED: #FleetSafety #SafetyLeadership #Telematics #GapAssessment #RiskManagement #DriverTraining #FleetManagement #BehavioralChange #CasualtyRiskControl #InsuranceSavings #SafetyCulture #AccountabilityStructures #FleetCameras #LossPrevention #Aon #ImprovedLearning #SPIDER CONNECT WITH NANCY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-bendickson-cds-csp-arm-54616714/ RESOURCES MENTIONED: Aon Risk Solutions - Transportation: https://www.aon.com/en/solutions/transportation EMS Safety Foundation: https://www.emsafe.org/ SPIDER® Driver Training - IMPROVLearning: https://www.improvlearning.com/fleet-training/ Minnesota Safety Council Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS): https://trafficsafety.org National Safety Council (NSC): https://www.nsc.org

From Data Overload to Driver Engagement: Making Telematics Actually Work Phil Kozdemba is a seasoned business development leader with a proven track record in sales management, strategic partnerships, and technology-driven growth. At GO Analytics, he's driving global expansion by building high-impact relationships with customers, resellers, and industry partners, helping fleets transform overwhelming telematics data into clear, actionable insights. With experience spanning Microsoft and now GO Analytics—a company focused on enhancing the Geotab experience by creating workflows that make telematics data more actionable and usable—Phil brings a unique mix of innovation, scalability, and customer focus. His work is shaping the future of fleet safety and efficiency, ensuring technology serves the people who rely on it every day. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [02:04] Phil's journey from Microsoft retail to fleet safety technology and why it feels like meaningful work [04:11] How GO Analytics bridges the gap between data overload and actionable fleet insights [06:27] Why giving drivers direct access to their own risk data changes everything [08:25] The power of treating drivers like adults and letting them make informed decisions [09:45] Building safety culture through leaderboards celebrating improvement, not just identifying problems [10:11] Meeting fleets where they are: from safety skeptics to fully adopted organizations [12:31] Why the most impactful safety direction comes from direct supervisors, not chatbots [14:59] Balancing biometric driver ID technology with privacy concerns and union considerations [17:04] The evolution of camera acceptance: from "no way" to industry standard [19:12] Taking a tactical approach: focusing on one safety issue at a time instead of overwhelming systems [21:25] How the Geotab Marketplace transformed GO Analytics from custom solution to scalable product In this episode... Fleets are drowning in telematics data. Terabytes of information flow in daily about vehicle performance, driver behavior, maintenance needs, and more. But having data doesn't equal having insight, and having insight doesn't automatically drive behavioral change. How do you transform overwhelming information into workflows that actually make drivers safer? According to Phil Kozdemba, Business Development Leader at GO Analytics, the answer lies in making data accessible at every level of an organization—especially to the drivers themselves. By creating intuitive interfaces that give drivers direct visibility into their own performance, risk scores, and improvement trends, fleets can move from top-down enforcement to bottom-up engagement. Phil explains how combining AI-powered automation with human conversation creates the most effective path to behavioral change. In this episode of RoadRageous, host Chad Lindholm sits down with Phil to explore how GO Analytics transforms Geotab's comprehensive telematics platform into actionable workflows. They discuss why driver engagement beats punishment, how to balance technology with privacy, and why successful safety programs focus on one challenge at a time rather than trying to solve everything at once. Quotable Moments: "I really wanted to be part of something that I felt strongly about. I know that the work we are committed to doing is helping save lives and reduce accidents." "If the driver doesn't react to what's being presented to them, you're not going to inflict the change that you want." "Give them that information directly and let them make adult decisions with their driving behaviors. That is the core of how to make our roads safer." "Positive reinforcement is so important. Who's doing the best? Who's the most improved? Who do we want to celebrate?" "Automation is important, but it can't replace everything. There is an immediate distaste when you're being bombarded by technology versus someone you directly talk to every day." "What interests the boss fascinates the worker. If my boss talks to me about my actual driving, that's going to have a bigger impact than a chatbot." "Focus on the things that matter most. Take things one piece at a time. If you try to adapt all the functionality at once, you're going to get overwhelmed." "The marketplace has been an absolute godsend for us. It truly lifted our solution into a place where we couldn't have achieved it in that amount of time on our own." Action Steps: Empower drivers with direct data access: Provide drivers visibility into their own risk scores, trends, and improvement progress Combine automation with human touch: Use AI tools to identify issues but rely on direct supervisors for meaningful coaching conversations Celebrate positive behaviors: Create leaderboards highlighting top performers and most improved drivers alongside risk concerns Focus on one challenge at a time: Start with a single high-priority safety issue (like cell phone use) before expanding to other areas Communicate technology changes clearly: Ensure drivers understand what's being recorded, why it matters, and how it protects them Build tactical implementation plans: Roll out safety technology in structured phases rather than all at once Leverage ecosystem partnerships: Utilize marketplace platforms to scale solutions faster and reach larger customer bases Prioritize driver engagement over punishment: Frame safety programs as tools for improvement, not surveillance mechanisms Transforming Telematics Data Into Driver Engagement In a recent episode of RoadRageous, host Chad Lindholm welcomed Phil Kozdemba, Business Development Leader at GO Analytics, to discuss how fleets can move beyond data collection to meaningful behavioral change. The conversation centered on making complex telematics systems accessible, balancing technology with human connection, and implementing safety programs that drivers actually embrace. From Microsoft to Fleet Safety Technology Phil shared his journey from running business-focused pilot programs at Microsoft to joining the fleet safety space. His background in integrating software with hardware to help businesses save time and money translated naturally to fleet operations, but what drew him to GO Analytics was the opportunity to do work that genuinely saves lives—a mission that makes the role personally meaningful. Key Discussion Points: Making Geotab Data Actionable: GO Analytics builds intuitive interfaces on top of Geotab's comprehensive telematics platform, creating dedicated workflows for every organizational level from drivers to CEOs. Driver-Facing Transparency: Unlike many risk management systems that focus only on management reporting, GO Analytics provides drivers direct access to their own performance data, enabling self-coaching and adult decision-making. The Human Element in Safety Technology: Phil emphasized that while AI automation helps identify issues and streamline processes, actual behavioral change happens through face-to-face conversations with trusted supervisors. Positive Reinforcement Culture: The platform includes leaderboards celebrating top performers and most improved drivers, not just highlighting risk concerns—building safety culture through recognition. Privacy and Biometric Technology: The discussion addressed the complex balance between streamlining driver identification through biometric systems and respecting privacy concerns, especially in unionized and public sector environments. Camera Technology Evolution: Phil noted how driver-facing cameras have evolved from controversial "no way" technology to increasingly accepted industry standard as privacy concerns adapt to our connected world. Tactical Implementation Strategy: Rather than overwhelming fleets with comprehensive functionality all at once, Phil recommends focusing intensely on one high-priority safety issue before expanding to additional concerns. The Geotab Marketplace Advantage A significant portion of the conversation focused on how the Geotab Marketplace transformed GO Analytics from a custom solution for a single customer into a scalable product reaching major fleets worldwide. The "Order Now" patent status opened doors to enterprise customers that would have taken years to reach independently. Conclusion: Phil's insights demonstrate that effective fleet safety technology isn't about collecting more data—it's about making existing data accessible, understandable, and actionable at every organizational level. By combining automated intelligence with human connection and focusing on driver empowerment over enforcement, fleets can create sustainable safety improvements that protect both people and business operations. PROFILE DESCRIPTION: Phil Kozdemba Business Development Leader at GO Analytics with proven expertise in sales management, strategic partnerships, and technology-driven growth. With experience from Microsoft's business solutions division, Phil now drives global expansion by helping fleets transform overwhelming telematics data into clear, actionable insights through the Geotab ecosystem. He specializes in building high-impact relationships that scale innovative safety solutions while ensuring technology serves the people who depend on it daily. Resources mentioned in this episode: Phil Kozdemba on LinkedIn GO Analytics Geotab Geotab Marketplace Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn IMPROVLearning Previous episode with Emily Garza on fleet complexity and continuous learning Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by IMPROVLearning. At IMPROVLearning, we're dedicated to transforming driver education through innovative, research-backed training methods. Our SPIDER™ Driver Training platform combines humor with proven brain-training techniques to help drivers anticipate and avoid potential dangers on the road. With over four million students trained, we know that learning sticks best when it's engaging, short, and actively tested — resulting in fewer crashes, violations, and safer drivers overall. To learn more about how IMPROVLearning makes roads safer one driver at a time, visit improvlearning.com.

Emily Garza is a seasoned fleet leader with experience spanning both the private sector and fleet management companies. Emily has built a reputation for driving efficiency, optimizing vehicle acquisition strategies, and leading teams through change with sharp focus on cost savings, compliance, and operational excellence. She's managed fleets across organizations like Rivian, Arch Rock, and Red Bull, and now serves as Fleet Asset Manager at Sempra Infrastructure. Beyond her technical expertise, Emily is known as a collaborative team player, skilled negotiator, and fun fact—an avid proofreader and copy editor who brings precision to everything she does. With her background in English from Southern Illinois University and years of hands-on leadership, Emily blends analytical insight with clear communication, a combination that has made her an agent of change throughout her career. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [01:30] Emily's unexpected journey from planning law school to two decades in fleet management [03:45] Strategies for attracting more women to fleet through mentorship and industry associations [05:20] The most unusual fleets: from hearses and limos to Mini Coopers with coolers and mobile DJ booths [07:15] Emily's classic "how many bodies" story from a Ford Fleet preview event [09:30] Taking on new challenges: expanding fleet operations into Mexico and learning Spanish [12:00] Common misconceptions about fleet management: "It's not easy—there are a lot of moving parts" [14:15] The explosion of fleet technology: from telematics to AI, predictive analytics, and data security [16:45] Key metrics that matter: cost per mile, total cost of ownership, and rightsizing fleets [18:30] "Nobody gets safer by doing nothing" - the evolution from Big Brother to protective technology [21:00] Coaching vs. punishment: using data to analyze driving environments, not drivers [23:15] The value of NAFA's CAFM program and succession planning in fleet management [26:30] Current challenges: tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and the sustainability push [29:00] Essential advice for newcomers: embrace chaos, manage up, and get an emotional support dumpster fire In this episode... Fleet management isn't rocket science—unless you're managing NASA's fleet, in which case it literally is. But for everyone else, the complexity lies in the countless moving parts, evolving technology, and the misconception that fleet work is somehow simple or straightforward. How do you navigate an industry that's constantly changing while building the expertise needed to lead effectively? According to Emily Garza, Fleet Asset Manager at Sempra Infrastructure, success comes from embracing the chaos and never stopping the learning process. With experience managing everything from hearses to Red Bull's promotional vehicles, Emily has seen how fleet complexity varies dramatically across industries. She emphasizes that while fleet management has evolved from basic vehicle procurement to sophisticated data analytics and global operations, the fundamentals remain the same: focus on cost control, safety, and building strong industry relationships. In this episode of RoadRageous, host Chad Lindholm sits down with Emily to explore her unconventional career path and the lessons learned from managing diverse fleets across multiple industries. They discuss the importance of mentorship for women entering the field, how technology has transformed fleet operations, and why succession planning isn't just nice to have—it's critical for organizational success. Quotable Moments: "I did not embark on a lifelong quest to manage fleet vehicles. I took my first job at Enterprise so I could work for a year or two and then eventually go back to law school." "How many bodies do you think I can fit in there? I work in the death care industry—I don't just have a habit of offing people and throwing them in the back of vans." "The most common incorrect assumption is that fleet is easy. It's not brain surgery or rocket science, but there's a lot of moving parts." "Nobody gets safer by doing nothing. Safety is such an important aspect of fleet these days." "We analyze the driving environment, not pinpoint the driver themselves. We look at trends, not one-offs." "Succession planning isn't a nice to have—it's critical." "Embrace the chaos, manage up, and never stop networking or educating yourself." "Get yourself an emotional support dumpster fire. Sometimes he listens to me vent, sometimes he just sits there patiently."  

Rob Matthews currently serves as Regional Fleet Manager at Lewis Tree Service, a 100% employee-owned company where he oversees critical operations across a diverse fleet of commercial and utility vehicles. A Marine Corps veteran with over 27 years of hands-on experience, Rob has built an impressive track record managing light, medium, and heavy-duty fleets across industries including waste management, propane distribution, and military logistics. His approach is rooted in operational excellence, data-driven decision making, and a relentless focus on safety, compliance, and process improvement. From multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to executing fleet strategy back home, Rob brings discipline, accountability, and mentorship to the forefront of everything he does. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [02:43] Rob's journey from Hot Wheels in the sandbox to managing real bucket trucks [04:23] The unique challenge of "incidental drivers" who are craft workers first, drivers second [06:28] How Lewis Tree Service keeps America's power lines clear while managing 26,000-pound vehicles [08:39] The two-method approach: being present with drivers and using coaching-focused technology [10:46] Why driver-facing cameras became a game-changer for behavior modification and coaching [13:25] Real-world exoneration stories: how video evidence protects drivers and resolves disputes [15:30] Tracking safe driving habits instead of just measuring crashes and incidents [18:07] The power of positive reinforcement: celebrating good behaviors caught on camera [19:10] "Complacency kills" – bringing military mindset to civilian fleet safety culture [21:11] Supply chain challenges and the importance of backup plans in fleet management [26:30] Why humility and continuous learning are essential for fleet managers [31:09] Lightning round: theme songs, futuristic features, and the hot dog sandwich debate In this episode… When your drivers are craft workers first and professional drivers second, how do you instill the discipline needed to safely operate 26,000-pound bucket trucks through residential neighborhoods? The challenge becomes even more complex when these same drivers are responsible for keeping America's lights on, often working in high-pressure storm response situations where lives and communities depend on their expertise. According to Rob Matthews, Regional Fleet Manager at Lewis Tree Service, the answer lies in combining military leadership principles with smart technology deployment. Drawing from his Marine Corps experience and 27 years in fleet operations, Rob explains how his team transformed their safety culture by focusing on coaching rather than punishment, using driver-facing cameras as development tools, and maintaining the "complacency kills" mindset that keeps standards high even when operations run smoothly. In this episode of RoadRageous, host Chad Lindholm sits down with Rob to explore how military discipline translates to civilian fleet management. They discuss the unique challenges of managing incidental drivers, the power of positive reinforcement in safety programs, and why building authentic relationships with frontline workers is just as important as implementing the latest technology.

Episode Summary In this episode of the Roadrageous podcast by IMPROVLearning, Jim Senter shares how Kellanova transformed fleet safety from a priority into a core company value. With over 15 years in environmental health and safety, Jim discusses how his team reduced preventable collisions, built a culture of proactive coaching, and leveraged AI-powered dash cams to improve driver behavior. From humorous anecdotes (yes, someone was eating corn on the cob while driving!) to sobering reminders of real-world risks, Jim's insights offer a blueprint for organizations looking to embed safety into every layer of their operations. ⏱️ Highlights [2:47] Jim's unconventional journey from retail burnout to fleet safety leadership [5:00] The surprising frequency of "hit while parked" incidents [7:37] Turning incident reports into teachable moments [9:31] Why safety must be a value—not just a priority [13:01] Testing AI dash cams and the power of self-correction [20:14] Drowsy driving: the next frontier in fleet safety [28:08] Technology is additive—not a replacement for awareness [30:38] Regional safety training tailored to local risks [31:35] Extending safety culture to employees' families 💡 Quotable Moments "Safety isn't a priority—it's a value. Priorities change. Values don't." — Jim Senter "I thought I was a good driver. The dash cam showed me I still had things to improve." — Jim Senter "You don't want to get rid of people. You want to coach them and elevate your workforce." — Jim Senter   Conclusion Jim Senter's story underscores that safety isn't compliance—it's culture. By treating safety as a shared value, supporting drivers with coaching, and leveraging technology responsibly, fleets can create safer environments where people thrive. When safety is woven into every meeting, every drive, every decision, it becomes second nature—ensuring drivers get home safe and bring that culture of care into their communities.

Mary Beth Micucci, DES, is a dynamic leader in learning strategy and digital engagement. As Director of Member Learning at NAFA, she leads the development of impactful programs like the Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) credential. With a background spanning instructional design, behavioral analytics, and digital event strategy, Mary Beth brings a unique blend of creativity and precision to every project. She is recognized as a voice in the digital event space, known for creating experiences that drive real engagement and results. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [02:30] Mary Beth's journey from medical association management to fleet industry education [05:00] NAFA's three pillars: efficiency, sustainability, and safety across all educational programs [07:15] Meeting the learning needs of younger generations through interactive, bite-sized content [10:45] Using job task analysis to ensure curriculum relevance and identify content gaps [13:20] How telematics and rapidly changing technology drive the need for agile training updates [15:45] Why behavioral change requires more than awareness—and what actually drives results [19:30] The power of survivor stories and real-world success cases in safety training [22:00] Measuring training success beyond revenue: engagement, completion rates, and organizational ROI [25:15] The growing trend of CAFM certification and its impact on career advancement [28:30] Building effective learning cultures by listening to your audience first [32:00] The magic wand moment: making distracted driving education universal In this episode... Fleet managers often find themselves in their roles by accident—no one grows up dreaming of managing vehicle fleets. Yet these professionals are responsible for critical decisions that impact safety, efficiency, and organizational success. How do you create effective learning programs for an audience that didn't necessarily choose their career path? According to Mary Beth Micucci, Director of Member Learning at NAFA, the answer lies in understanding how people actually learn and meeting them where they are. She explains how NAFA has transformed its educational approach by embracing interactive e-learning, bite-sized content delivery, and data-driven curriculum development. From TikTok-inspired micro-learning to comprehensive certification programs, the organization is adapting to serve both seasoned fleet managers and the younger generation entering the field. In this episode of RoadRageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Mary Beth to explore the evolution of fleet education. They discuss the challenges of behavioral change in safety training, the importance of listening to your audience before creating content, and why the future of learning lies in making education accessible, engaging, and immediately actionable. Quotable Moments: "No one ever said they wanted to grow up and be a fleet manager." "If you don't change and meet the needs of the upcoming generation, you're just going to be out of touch and they're going to find content elsewhere." "If you don't do anything, change will not happen." "Unfortunately, it will take a tragedy to change behavior. What can we do to show that you don't need the tragedy?" "Our policies worked. Everybody knew what they needed to do. We were up and running five days before they thought we would be." "Don't just decide that we need to do this. Just because you build content that you think is important doesn't necessarily mean it's important to your audience." "The magic wand would be conjuring everybody to truly drive safely and understand the value of not texting." Action Steps: Diversify learning delivery methods: Offer content in multiple formats including e-learning, audio, video, and traditional materials to accommodate different learning styles Conduct regular job task analysis: Evaluate curriculum relevance every few years using data to ensure training meets current industry needs Listen to your audience first: Survey and socialize with learners to understand pain points before creating new training content Focus on behavioral analytics: Track not just completion rates but engagement patterns and real-world application of training Create bite-sized learning modules: Develop content that can be consumed in 5-10 minute segments to match modern attention spans Use real success stories: Incorporate testimonials from organizations that have benefited from proper policies and training implementation Measure organizational ROI: Track how training translates to cost savings, policy compliance, and operational efficiency Transforming Fleet Education Through Strategic Learning Design In a recent episode of RoadRageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm welcomed Mary Beth Micucci, Director of Member Learning at NAFA, to discuss the evolution of fleet education and the challenges of creating effective learning programs for diverse audiences. The conversation centered on adaptive learning strategies, behavioral change methodologies, and the critical importance of data-driven curriculum development. The Evolution of Association-Based Learning Mary Beth shared her journey from medical association management to fleet industry education, highlighting how her experience with early virtual education platforms shaped her approach to member learning. Her background in instructional design and behavioral analytics brought a fresh perspective to NAFA's educational offerings, emphasizing the need for engaging, interactive content over traditional static materials. Key Discussion Points: NAFA's Three-Pillar Approach: All educational content flows through efficiency, sustainability, and safety frameworks, ensuring comprehensive coverage of fleet management fundamentals while maintaining strategic focus. Generational Learning Preferences: The organization has adapted to serve younger learners who expect TikTok-style, bite-sized content alongside traditional comprehensive programs for seasoned professionals. Data-Driven Curriculum Development: Regular job task analysis ensures training content remains relevant and identifies emerging skill gaps in the rapidly evolving fleet technology landscape. Interactive E-Learning Design: Modern training modules require user interaction every 10 seconds to maintain engagement, moving away from passive content consumption. Behavioral Change Challenges: Mary Beth emphasized that awareness alone doesn't drive behavioral change—particularly in safety training where it often takes tragedy to motivate action. Success Measurement Beyond Revenue: The organization tracks certification completion rates, learner engagement patterns, and organizational ROI to measure training effectiveness. The CAFM Certification Trend: The Certified Automotive Fleet Manager credential has seen significant growth, with more professionals adding this designation to their LinkedIn profiles as industry recognition increases. Real-World Impact and Future Directions The episode highlighted successful case studies, including an organization that used proper policy implementation and training to recover from a tornado five days ahead of schedule. Mary Beth discussed ongoing studies to measure how individual certification translates to organizational benefits, helping justify training investments through measurable cost savings and risk reduction. Conclusion: Mary Beth's insights demonstrate that effective fleet education requires a strategic blend of traditional learning principles and modern delivery methods. By understanding audience needs, leveraging behavioral analytics, and maintaining curriculum relevance through data analysis, organizations can create learning cultures that drive real operational improvements while preparing the next generation of fleet professionals for an increasingly technology-driven industry. Resources mentioned in this episode: Mary Beth Micucci on LinkedIn NAFA Fleet Management Association NAFA Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) Program NAFA Institute and Expo NAFA Safety Symposium NAFA Fleet Safety Book and Certificate Program Liam Hoch on LinkedIn Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn IMPROVLearning Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by IMPROVLearning. At IMPROVLearning, we're dedicated to transforming driver education through innovative, research-backed training methods. Our SPIDER™ Driver Training platform combines humor with proven brain-training techniques to help drivers anticipate and avoid potential dangers on the road. With over four million students trained, we know that learning sticks best when it's engaging, short, and actively tested — resulting in fewer crashes, violations, and safer drivers overall. To learn more about how IMPROVLearning makes roads safer one driver at a time, visit improvlearning.com.

Jennifer Hedrick is the President and CEO of the Women in Trucking Association, where she's driving meaningful change across the transportation industry by championing opportunities for women behind the wheel and beyond. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, coalition building, and strategic planning, she's known for building authentic relationships that turn stakeholder engagement into real impact. From Capitol Hill to conference halls, Jennifer's thoughtful mission-driven leadership style has made her a respected voice in transportation and association circles alike. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [03:00] How Jennifer accidentally found her way into the transportation industry through association work [05:00] Women in Trucking's mission: from job creation to eliminating barriers across the industry [06:00] Growing from hundreds to 8,000 members spanning "from the driver's seat to the C-suite" [09:00] Key challenges women face entering and staying in the trucking industry [11:00] How carriers can create environments that attract and retain women drivers [13:00] The importance of male allies in championing women's advancement in trucking [16:00] The power of conferences in connecting isolated women professionals [18:00] Flexible arrangements and local driving opportunities for work-life balance [20:00] The Image Team: rock star volunteers spreading awareness at schools and events [22:00] Whitney the educational trailer: bringing trucking awareness across the country with interactive simulators [27:00] Essential advice for women entering trucking: find mentors, read widely, and pick what you love In this episode... The transportation industry has long been male-dominated, but what does it take to create meaningful opportunities for women across all levels of trucking? From addressing safety concerns at truck stops to building pathways from entry-level positions to the C-suite, the challenges are real but so are the solutions. According to Jennifer Hedrick, President and CEO of the Women in Trucking Association, the key lies in eliminating barriers, celebrating successes, and creating authentic connections within the industry. She highlights how her organization has grown to 8,000 members by focusing not just on drivers, but on women in all aspects of trucking—from technicians to executives. Through innovative programs like their Image Team and Whitney the educational trailer, they're changing perceptions one school visit at a time. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Jennifer to explore how the Women in Trucking Association is breaking down barriers and building up opportunities. They discuss practical strategies for carriers, the power of mentorship, and why the industry's chronic driver shortage makes gender diversity not just the right thing to do, but a smart business strategy. Quotable Moments: "Our tagline we like to say: from the driver's seat to the C-suite." "A lot of women think that there isn't a place for them here because it is a male dominated industry, and that's certainly not true." "Drivers get into the industry largely through word of mouth. So if a driver's working with a carrier who is treating them well, they tell others." "We really need male allies. Be male allies and build up the women around you." "I'm one of two women working in my company, or I'm the only woman working in my company. So to come here with 1,800 other women who I can talk to—that's empowering and valuable." "Find a mentor, find someone within the industry. It doesn't have to be somebody in your career path. It doesn't have to be a woman." Action Steps: Champion women in your workplace: Offer opportunities, education, and conference attendance to female colleagues Improve safety infrastructure: Advocate for better lighting, individual facilities, and secure parking at truck stops Create flexible arrangements: Offer local driving options and flexible schedules to accommodate different life situations Invest in education and outreach: Partner with organizations like Women in Trucking to visit schools and community events Build mentorship programs: Connect experienced professionals with women entering or advancing in the industry Support industry events: Encourage attendance at conferences like Accelerate for networking and professional development Transforming Transportation Through Inclusion and Education In a recent episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm welcomed Jennifer Hedrick, President and CEO of the Women in Trucking Association, to discuss the evolving landscape of gender diversity in transportation. The conversation centered on breaking down barriers, creating opportunities, and leveraging innovative outreach to transform industry perceptions. The Evolution of Women in Trucking Jennifer shared her journey into transportation through association work, eventually leading the Women in Trucking Association as it grew from a few hundred members to 8,000 today. Founded in 2007 by Ellen Voie, the organization focuses on three core areas: job creation, celebration of successes, and elimination of obstacles and barriers. Key Discussion Points: Comprehensive Membership Approach: The association serves members "from the driver's seat to the C-suite," including drivers, technicians, management professionals, and executives across all career stages. Addressing Safety Concerns: Jennifer highlighted crucial safety improvements like better lighting at truck stops, individual shower facilities, and secure parking options that make the industry more accessible to women. The Power of Word-of-Mouth Recruitment: Drivers who have positive experiences with carriers naturally become advocates, encouraging other women to enter the profession through personal recommendations. Male Allies as Champions: With 15% male membership, the association emphasizes the critical role of male colleagues in championing women's advancement and creating inclusive workplace cultures. Conference Impact: The annual Accelerate conference brings together nearly 2,000 attendees, with 80% being women who often work as the only female professional in their companies. Innovative Outreach Programs: The Image Team of volunteer speakers and Whitney the educational trailer bring trucking awareness to schools and community events nationwide, featuring interactive simulators and real-world role models. Flexible Career Paths: Modern carriers are creating more local driving opportunities and flexible arrangements to accommodate different lifestyle needs and career preferences. The Future of Industry Diversity The episode concluded with a discussion about practical strategies for carriers and individuals to support women's advancement in trucking, emphasizing that addressing the industry's chronic driver shortage requires tapping into underutilized talent pools. Conclusion: Jennifer's insights demonstrate that transforming the trucking industry's gender landscape requires a comprehensive approach combining infrastructure improvements, cultural change, innovative education, and strong advocacy. By eliminating barriers and creating authentic opportunities for connection and advancement, organizations like Women in Trucking are proving that diversity isn't just about fairness—it's about building a stronger, more sustainable transportation future. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jennifer Hedrick on LinkedIn Women in Trucking Association Liam Hoch on LinkedIn Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn IMPROVLearning Whitney Educational Trailer Information Women in Trucking Annual Accelerate Conference Contact for Whitney bookings: [email protected] Walmart Transportation Partnership Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by IMPROVLearning. At IMPROVLearning, we're dedicated to transforming driver education through innovative, research-backed training methods. Our SPIDER™ Driver Training platform combines humor with proven brain-training techniques to help drivers anticipate and avoid potential dangers on the road. With over four million students trained, we know that learning sticks best when it's engaging, short, and actively tested — resulting in fewer crashes, violations, and safer drivers overall. To learn more about how IMPROVLearning makes roads safer one driver at a time, visit improvlearning.com.

Chris Bennett is a trusted clean transportation leader spearheading Laser Logistics' 2 million mile and counting heavy-duty EV program, alternative fuel strategy, and sustainability endeavors with a clean focus on heavy-duty EVs. He collaborates closely with clients and industry stakeholders to enhance performance, drive out costs, and maximize clean transportation solutions' added value and benefits. As a thought leader and advocate of pragmatic transportation sustainability solutions, Chris drives innovation, fosters partnerships, and builds transportation sustainability roadmaps for shippers that pave the way for a cleaner and more efficient transportation future. In this episode… Heavy-duty electrification faces skepticism from fleets who see it as expensive, impractical, and unsuitable for their operations. Many believe EVs can't handle the demands of commercial trucking, require massive infrastructure investments, and won't work in harsh weather conditions. With the pressure to reduce emissions mounting and operational costs continuing to climb, how can fleets find viable pathways to electrification that actually make business sense? According to Chris Bennett, the key lies in starting where the technology works best and expanding outward in concentric circles. He explains how yard operations create the perfect environment for heavy-duty EVs—with predictable routes, return-to-base operations, and controlled environments that maximize battery efficiency. Chris highlights how his company has achieved 90% fuel cost savings while improving driver comfort and safety, proving that electrification can deliver both environmental and economic benefits when applied strategically. By focusing on practical applications and sharing real-world data, he demonstrates how fleets can move beyond myths to embrace solutions that work today. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Chris Bennett, clean transportation leader at Laser Logistics, to discuss how heavy-duty electrification is succeeding in yard operations and what that means for the broader industry. They explore the realities of EV performance versus common misconceptions, the "Big Six" safety protocols that enhance driver training, and how regenerative braking creates both safety and efficiency benefits. Chris also shares practical advice for fleets considering electrification, the importance of right-sizing charging infrastructure, and his vision for how electrification will expand from confined operations to longer-haul applications.

Ted Chen is the co-founder and CEO of Lifesaver Mobile, a leading voice in fleet safety innovation with experience from Wharton to Yahoo. Ted brings a rare blend of business strategy and tech leadership to one of today's biggest driving challenges: distracted driving. At Lifesaver Mobile, he's helping fleets prevent phone use behind the wheel through patented real-time technology that's reshaping how companies approach driver safety. From major partnerships to measurable impact, Ted is driving real change in an industry where phone distraction has become the number one cause of crashes. In this episode… Distracted driving continues to surge as the leading cause of fleet crashes, yet traditional solutions often fall short of meaningful prevention. Video telematics may capture risky behavior, but coaching resources are limited, and drivers consistently find ways to work around monitoring systems. With mobile devices designed to be addictive and phone usage occurring on virtually every drive, how can fleets move beyond reactive data collection to proactive prevention that actually works? According to Ted Chen, the answer lies in "engineered safety" solutions that eliminate choice rather than rely on willpower alone. He highlights how software-based restrictions can be configured to match any company policy while maintaining productivity, creating accountability through comprehensive reporting, and addressing the unique challenges of personal device usage alongside company equipment. Unlike other distractions, Ted explains, phone use requires restriction-based enforcement because the technology was specifically designed to be addictive — making traditional training and awareness insufficient on their own. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Ted Chen, co-founder and CEO of Lifesaver Mobile, to discuss how engineered safety solutions are transforming fleet approaches to distracted driving. They explore the limitations of video telematics for phone distraction, the balance between safety and productivity through configurable policies, and strategies for addressing both company and personal device usage. Ted also shares insights on building comprehensive safety programs, the role of voice technology in real-time alerts, and practical steps fleet managers can take to create lasting change in driver behavior.

Mike Roeth is the Executive Director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), a nonprofit organization that promotes the adoption of technologies and practices to enhance freight efficiency and sustainability across North America. With nearly 40 years in the commercial vehicle industry, he specializes in bringing green truck technologies into real-world applications at scale. Mike also serves as the trucking lead at RMI and has held leadership roles at Navistar and Behr/Cummins. Recognized as an industry influencer by FleetOwner and honored as the 2020 SAE L. Ray Buckendale Lecturer, he is a prominent voice in advancing freight efficiency and decarbonization. In this episode… Fuel prices are rising, driver stress is mounting, and environmental pressures are reshaping the freight landscape. Amidst all this, how can fleets find a balance between cutting costs and keeping drivers safe and effective behind the wheel? According to Mike Roeth, a long-time industry leader and efficiency advocate, the key lies in smarter, safer driving habits that naturally improve fuel economy. He highlights how even small behavior changes — like reducing speed or using predictive cruise control — can create a ripple effect across fuel savings, maintenance costs, and driver well-being. These incremental adjustments not only support bottom-line performance but also help fleets prepare for new technologies like electric trucks. By aligning safety with operational efficiency, fleets can reduce burnout and navigate the messy middle of decarbonization with greater confidence. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Mike Roeth, Executive Director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), to discuss how safer driving leads to lower fuel costs and longer-lasting trucks. They explore the cultural mindsets around speed, the role of driver training in energy efficiency, and how fleet habits are evolving with electrification. Mike also shares how simple actions today can prepare fleets for tomorrow's technologies.

Justin Copeland is the Vice President of Safety at United Road Services, a leading North American provider of vehicle and heavy-haul transportation. With over two decades in the trucking industry, he began as a professional driver and advanced through operations and safety leadership roles. At United Road, he leads initiatives to improve fleet safety, regulatory compliance, and driver training. Justin also serves on the American Trucking Associations' Safety Management Council and is part of the 2025 LEAD ATA class. In this episode… Keeping drivers safe isn't just about avoiding crashes; it's about understanding every moving part of the system. From training to inspections to loading cargo, the margin for error is razor-thin. So how does a top transportation company ensure high performance while protecting drivers and cargo? According to Justin Copeland, a seasoned leader in transportation safety, it starts with measuring quality — not just compliance. He highlights how tracking cargo damage rates, driver behavior, and operational consistency helps build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. This approach doesn't just prevent losses; it boosts trust across the board, from leadership to drivers to customers. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Justin Copeland, Vice President of Safety at United Road Services, to discuss how quality metrics shape a safer, smarter fleet. They dive into the hidden risks of car hauling, the power of clear communication and ongoing training, and how data drives driver engagement. Justin also shares how a bold "stand down" policy turned compliance issues into measurable gains.

Ryan Rebman is the Senior Director of Health and Safety at Conagra Brands, a leading American food company known for producing popular packaged and frozen foods under brands like Healthy Choice, Slim Jim, and Marie Callender's. Ryan brings extensive experience in corporate safety leadership, including a previous role at Ecolab, where he helped implement a unified driver safety program across business units. At Conagra, he is responsible for developing and executing environmental, health, and safety strategies to foster a world-class safety culture across the company's operations. In this episode… While many organizations focus on lagging indicators and compliance checklists, others are finding greater success by embedding safety into the fabric of everyday work. But what does it take to shift safety from a box to check into a driver of business success? According to Ryan Rebman, a seasoned safety leader, the key lies in making safety an inseparable part of daily operations. He highlights the importance of proactive, risk-based approaches that prioritize leading indicators over reactive metrics. When safety is seen not as an add-on but integral to how work gets done, organizations can improve performance, reduce incidents, and foster a stronger culture. Ryan also emphasizes the power of leadership alignment and frontline engagement in making safety sustainable. Creating a system that empowers people, rather than punishes them, unlocks long-term momentum and trust. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Ryan Rebman, Senior Director of Health and Safety at Conagra Brands, to talk about why good safety drives good business. They explore how to shift from compliance to culture, the value of embedding safety into the operational flow, and why leading indicators matter more than lagging ones. Ryan also shares advice for influencing leadership and sustaining momentum over time.

Pam Chandler is the Regional Fleet Operations and Health and Safety Manager at Syngenta, a leading global agricultural technology company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, that specializes in crop protection, seed, and digital farming solutions. She leads Syngenta's North America Fleet Operations Team, overseeing a fleet of 2,000 vehicles with a focus on driver safety, incident reporting, and adherence to fleet policies and programs. Pam's work ensures operational efficiency and safety compliance across the company's extensive vehicle operations. Her leadership contributes to Syngenta's broader mission of helping farmers grow safe and nutritious food while caring for the planet.​ In this episode… When it comes to improving driver safety and fleet management, is there ever just one solution that guarantees success? Many companies hope a new technology, policy, or training method will instantly transform their outcomes. But is real, lasting improvement ever that simple? According to Pam Chandler, a seasoned fleet operations and safety expert, no single strategy can eliminate all risks or challenges. She highlights that achieving a safer, more efficient fleet requires a layered approach — combining leadership engagement, the right technology, consistent training, and a strong culture of care. This integrated effort dramatically reduces incidents and empowers drivers to make better decisions on the road. Pam also explains how new technologies like hands-free driving tools can help when properly supported, but they must be paired with human vigilance and company-wide commitment to truly make an impact. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Pam Chandler, Regional Fleet Operations and Health and Safety Manager at Syngenta, to discuss why there are no silver bullets in fleet safety. They explore building a culture of responsibility, leveraging driver-assist technologies, and overcoming challenges with leadership and insurance buy-in. Pam also shares advice for managing driver fatigue during the busy season.

​Jim Davis is the Vice President of Insurance and Risk Management at Waylens Inc., a company dedicated to advancing fleet safety through innovative AI video technology. In his role, he focuses on insurtech innovation and developing strategic partnerships within the insurance industry. Under Jim's leadership, Waylens has launched a predictive safety platform that integrates AI-powered video telematics with risk intelligence, enabling fleets to proactively manage driver safety. In this episode… The road to safer fleets is paved with data. But are fleets actually using it to its full potential? As AI and telematics systems flood managers with real-time driver behavior and risk signals, the real challenge is no longer data collection but action. What does it take to truly "close the loop" on safety and turn insight into meaningful, measurable change? According to Jim Davis, a seasoned leader in insurtech and fleet risk management, closing the loop starts at the edge — right in the vehicle. He highlights how AI-powered cameras can now detect risky behaviors like phone use or unsafe following distances in real-time and trigger customized responses, reducing the need for manual coaching. The result is a proactive safety model that prevents crashes before they happen. This shift not only reduces liability and improves driver performance but also empowers fleets to better align with insurers. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Jim Davis, Vice President of Insurance and Risk Management at Waylens Inc., to talk about real-time risk mitigation at the edge. They explore how AI cameras drive down claims, why inaction on data can increase liability, and the critical role of automation in fleet safety. Jim also shares how fleets can gain insurers' trust and unlock long-term ROI.

​Jeff McKinney is the Vice President of Safety at The GTI Group, a company revolutionizing the future of freight by delivering comprehensive, end-to-end logistics solutions. With over 30 years of experience in the trucking industry, Jeff has been instrumental in enhancing safety protocols and significantly reducing accident frequencies. His leadership and commitment to safety were recognized when he was named the Truckload Carriers Association's 2024 Safety Professional of the Year. Jeff's career began as a professional driver, and he has since held various roles, including Director of Safety & Operations at General Logistics, before joining Jetco Delivery in 2007. In this episode… Safety in trucking isn't just about following rules. A fleet can check every compliance box and still have accidents, unsafe drivers, and costly mistakes. So what really makes the difference between a company that just meets standards and one that truly prioritizes safety? According to Jeff McKinney, a safety leader with decades of experience in fleet operations, compliance is only the baseline, not the solution. He highlights that true safety comes from changing behavior, not just enforcing regulations. Without a strong culture and driver buy-in, policies become meaningless. Jeff shares how hands-on training, real-time feedback, and a people-first approach create safer drivers and reduce accidents. When teams understand why safety matters — not just what the rules are — their actions follow. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Jeff McKinney, Vice President of Safety at The GTI Group, to discuss why compliance doesn't equal safety. They explore how to shift driver behavior beyond the rulebook, why management buy-in is critical, and how humor and engagement improve training retention. Jeff also shares his approach to coaching drivers through positive reinforcement rather than punishment.

Gary Johnson is the Head of Safety and Compliance Strategy at Motive, a technology company that develops AI-powered applications to improve the safety, productivity, and profitability of businesses across various industries. With over 40 years of experience in the transportation industry, he has held leadership roles in safety and compliance at companies such as Ryder Systems Inc., FedEx, and Transport Corporation of America. Before joining Motive in January 2023, Gary spent eight years at Lytx, focusing on safety and compliance. He is a Certified Director of Safety (CDS) and has presented at various industry events and forums. In this episode… Fleet safety isn't just about following rules; it's about creating a culture that prioritizes proactive risk management. But with so many moving parts, from driver training to compliance regulations, how can companies ensure their fleet operates as safely and efficiently as possible? What role does technology play in shaping a stronger safety program? According to Gary Johnson, a veteran in fleet safety and compliance, companies often mistake compliance for true safety. He highlights that while meeting regulatory standards is necessary, a truly effective safety program goes beyond checklists and focuses on behavioral coaching. By leveraging AI-driven insights and real-time data, fleets can shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one, addressing risks before they become costly incidents. Gary also emphasizes the importance of treating drivers like professional athletes — giving them the right tools, coaching, and feedback to continuously improve their performance. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Gary Johnson, Head of Safety and Compliance Strategy at Motive, to discuss how fleets can build a smarter, more effective safety strategy. They explore the shift from reactive to proactive safety programs, how AI-powered technology is transforming fleet management, and why data should be used as a coaching tool rather than a disciplinary measure.

Sean O'Bryan is a Professional Safety Consultant at Verizon Connect, a fleet management technology company that helps businesses improve safety, efficiency, and compliance through telematics solutions. With a background in risk management and fleet safety, he works with companies to implement data-driven safety programs that reduce accidents and operational costs. Sean has experience leveraging telematics, driver coaching, and gamification strategies to help fleets create safer road environments. In this episode… Every fleet is unique, much like fingerprints. From driver behavior to operational risks, each fleet presents its own distinct challenges. So how can companies tailor their safety strategies to fit their specific needs instead of applying one-size-fits-all solutions? According to Sean O'Bryan, a professional safety consultant with years of experience in fleet risk management, the key is understanding that decisions should be based on data, not assumptions. He highlights that many fleets invest in safety technology but fail to use it effectively, either by not engaging drivers or by misinterpreting telematics data. Instead of blindly implementing new tools, companies must take a step back, assess their specific pain points, and develop a safety program that fits their fleet's unique patterns. When done right, fleets can see measurable improvements in driver behavior, fewer accidents, and long-term cost savings. In this episode of Roadrageous, Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Sean O'Bryan, Professional Safety Consultant at Verizon Connect, to discuss why every fleet requires a tailored approach to safety. They explore common mistakes companies make when rolling out safety programs, how telematics data can be leveraged for meaningful change, and why driver buy-in is essential for long-term success. Sean also shares how gamification and a strong safety culture can make fleets safer and more efficient.

Brian Fielkow is the Executive Vice President of Risk Resources at Acrisure, a global Fintech and insurance company. With over 25 years of experience in fleet safety, transportation, and logistics, he served as the CEO of Jetco Delivery, a trucking and logistics company. Brian has also worked in waste management and recycling, where he developed a strong foundation in safety culture. He is also the co-author of Leading People Safely and frequently speaks about risk management and workplace safety. In this episode… Safety isn't just about policies and procedures; it's about culture. Yet, in many companies, safety is still treated as a standalone department rather than an organization-wide commitment. How can companies integrate safety into daily operations? According to Brian Fielkow, a nationally recognized expert in safety leadership and risk management, safety is not a department; it's the foundation of operational excellence. When companies treat safety as a separate function, they lose accountability and allow dangerous practices to emerge. True safety culture thrives when leadership and operations take ownership, embedding safety into every decision. The biggest mistake companies make is assuming safety hinders productivity. Instead, a strong safety culture reduces costs, improves efficiency, and enhances workforce morale. In this episode of Roadrageous, Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Brian Fielkow, Executive Vice President of Risk Resources at Acrisure, to discuss why safety must be an operational priority, not just a checkbox. They break down the myths that prevent companies from achieving safer workplaces, explore how technology like in-cab cameras can enhance rather than punish driver performance, and reveal why companies that prioritize safety attract and retain top talent.

Jim Noble is the Global Director of Insurance and Head of The Americas at Greater Than, a company that uses AI-driven analytics to assess driver risk and predict crashes. With over 40 years of experience in commercial transportation, insurance, and risk management, he has held leadership roles in fleet safety, underwriting, and technology innovation. Starting his career in his family's trucking business, Jim has dedicated his expertise to integrating data and safety strategies to improve driver performance and reduce costs for insurers and fleets. In this episode… Fleet safety should be about compliance and a core driver of efficiency and risk reduction. However, many companies separate safety from operations. Could integrating the two be the key to preventing crashes before they happen? According to Jim Noble, a seasoned expert in commercial transportation and risk management, safety is not a department; it's the backbone of a successful operation. He highlights how many companies mistakenly separate safety from productivity, creating unnecessary friction. Instead, proper safety integration starts with understanding that good driving habits are professional skills that must be trained, reinforced, and measured, just like in any high-performance industry. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Jim Noble, Global Director of Insurance and Head of The Americas at Greater Than, to discuss why fleet safety and operations must work hand in hand. Jim explains why safety managers are often seen as the enemy, how insurance models are shifting from historical data to real-time driver behavior, and why more people drive professionally than ever before. He also shares how eco-driving ties into risk and efficiency.

Bill Vargo is the Senior Director of Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability Solutions for North America at DSV, a global logistics and transportation company. He has over 30 years of experience in risk management, workplace safety, and regulatory compliance across industries like logistics, automotive, and consumer services. Bill has led safety programs for thousands of drivers, implemented large-scale defensive driving initiatives, and helped reduce incident rates through training, technology, and operational strategies. In this episode… What does safe driving have in common with a well-made Bolognese sauce? Turns out, quite a lot. Both require the right ingredients, the right timing, and constant attention — miss a key element, and the result is a disaster. When it comes to fleet safety, what are the essential components that keep drivers engaged, reduce risk, and ensure everyone gets home safe? According to Bill Vargo, a seasoned expert in environmental health, safety, and risk management, a successful fleet safety program blends frequent training, leadership buy-in, and behavioral accountability. He highlights that training must be consistent — short, engaging, and reinforced regularly, not just an occasional compliance exercise. Bill also emphasizes that technology like telematics and AI cameras should be used as coaching tools rather than punitive measures. The impact? Companies that adopt a holistic, proactive approach to fleet safety see reduced collision rates, improved driver engagement, and a stronger safety culture across the organization. In this episode of Roadrageous, hosts Liam Hoch and Chad Lindholm sit down with Bill Vargo, Senior Director of Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability Solutions for North America at DSV, to discuss how smart training strategies keep fleet drivers safe. They explore the importance of frequent training, how technology can shape driver behavior, and why gamification improves safety. Bill also shares how post-pandemic driving habits have changed and what companies can do to address rising road risks.