The Fleet Success Show

Episode 202: Fleet Management 101: The Critical Metrics That Separate Good Fleets From Great Ones

Episode Summary

Learn how to take your fleet from reactive to high-performing with this deep-dive into foundational metrics, PM compliance, customer service strategy, and working on the business—not just in it. Featuring fleet expert Bill Griffiths.

Episode Notes

In this episode of the Fleet Success Show: Fleet Management 101 Series, Fleet Success Ambassador Facundo Tassara sits down with Bill Griffiths, Fleet Administrator for the District of Columbia, to unpack the essentials every fleet professional needs to succeed. With over 30 years in the game, managing fleets from the Smithsonian to Montgomery County to the nation's capital, Bill reveals how he transformed underperforming fleets with one radical principle: get the fundamentals right.

From crafting a killer elevator pitch to navigating NTSB investigations, from PM compliance to creating scorecards that drive accountability—this episode is an unfiltered masterclass in fleet management done right. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned veteran, this conversation will challenge your thinking and upgrade your strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Fleet Fundamentals: Why missing the basics—like asset classifications, accounting codes, or PMs—can cripple your operation.
• The Power of Metrics: How to choose the right KPIs (and what 5 Bill thinks are non-negotiable).
• Elevator Pitch Mastery: Why every fleet leader should be ready to present fleet value in 30 seconds or less.
• Customer Service as a Fleet Strategy: How proactive service communication builds internal trust and budget support.
• Scorecards That Drive Culture: How Bill uses shop-level scorecards to increase ownership, technician efficiency, and fleet availability.
• Working On the Business: The difference between reacting to problems and planning for a future with EVs, telematics, and shifting tech.
  
   

Speaker Bios:

Facundo Tassara

Fleet Success Ambassador, RTA
With 25 years of experience across government and private fleets, Facundo is a champion of operational excellence. As RTA's Fleet Success Ambassador, he brings a unique blend of hands-on experience and tech innovation to help fleets run smarter, leaner, and more effectively.

Bill Griffiths

Fleet Administrator, District of Columbia
A fleet industry veteran with 34 years of experience, Bill has led transformative fleet initiatives at Montgomery County, the Smithsonian Institution, the MBTA, and now Washington D.C. He’s known for his strategic mindset, obsession with data-driven decisions, and no-BS approach to leadership and fleet accountability.