From Fleet to Public Works: How One Man Turned Fleet Management into a Leadership Launchpad
This article is based on a recent episode of The Fleet Success Show podcast. Watch the full episode here:
Fleet management isn’t just about PM schedules and downtime metrics; it can be a career launchpad into executive leadership.
In a recent episode of The Fleet Success Show, we sat down with Harold Siguenza, Assistant Director of Public Works for the City of Avondale, to explore how his journey from car dealership assistant to public sector leadership offers a roadmap for ambitious fleet professionals. If you’ve ever asked, “What’s next after fleet manager?” … this article is your answer.
From Selling Cars to Fixing Budgets: The Unexpected Route into Fleet
Harold Siguenza didn’t grow up dreaming of fleet management. In fact, his early days were spent cleaning and selling cars at his family’s used car dealership. But after earning a Master’s in Public Administration, he found himself sitting in a budget office wondering, “What does a fleet department actually do?”
That curiosity led him to Maricopa County’s Equipment Services department, where he was thrust into the world of fleet maintenance management software, vehicle replacement cycles, and parts, fuel, and upfitting operations.
Despite having zero mechanical background, Harold was ready. “I had to learn quickly,” he said. “About technicians, preventive maintenance, heavy-duty vs. light-duty, fuel systems, you name it.”
The Secret Weapon: Speaking the Language of Budget
What gave Harold an edge? He spoke fluent finance.
Fleet managers often struggle to advocate for more resources because they don’t know how to talk to finance. Harold’s background let him bridge that gap.
“Closed mouths don’t get fed,” he told his team. “If you don’t speak up, no one will know what you need.”
When Harold reviewed the county’s budget, he saw departments asking for only $3M in vehicle replacements—far short of what was truly needed. Why? Because they’d been conditioned to expect rejection.
He changed that narrative.
Armed with hard data and the ability to translate operational needs into financial justifications, Harold got more funding, increased replacement cycles, and improved availability and morale.
Trust First, Change Later: Leading a Legacy Fleet Team
When Harold took over fleet operations, he didn’t try to change everything overnight.
“The team didn’t pick me. I had to earn their trust,” he said. “So I gave it first.”
For the first 18 months, Harold focused on listening and learning—not launching initiatives. That trust-first mindset paved the way for a stronger preventive maintenance (PM) program, better customer service standards, and strategic decision-making.
His advice for new fleet leaders?
- Trust your people.
- Ask questions instead of giving orders.
- Always lead with humility.
The Fleet Pros Factor: Why Industry Associations Matter
Harold’s career accelerated thanks to Fleet Pros: A nonprofit association focused on education, networking, and leadership development for fleet professionals.
He didn’t volunteer initially. Like many, he was voluntold. But it ended up being the most transformative part of his career.
Through Fleet Pros, Harold learned soft skills like negotiation, board governance, and the value of mentorship. Today, he’s helping lead their Fleet Management 101 Series, a training program designed to help technicians and supervisors prepare for leadership.
“If someone wants to be a tech forever, great. But if they want to grow, we owe them a path.”
The Mandate for Succession Planning
One of the biggest themes in Harold’s story? Succession planning.
He believes that training your replacement is your legacy. It’s not a threat, it’s a responsibility.
“When someone on my team says they want to be a director one day, I say, ‘Awesome. Let’s get you there, even if it’s not here.’”
This mindset doesn’t just create stronger organizations. It creates exponential career impact. People Harold mentored go on to lead other teams and spread the same culture of growth.
Key Takeaways for Fleet Managers Ready to Lead
If you're managing a shop and wondering what's next, here’s what Harold’s story teaches us:
- Master fleet maintenance software and operations, but don’t stop there. Learn finance, HR, and leadership.
- Build trust before making changes. It earns buy-in and prevents friction.
- Speak up for what your fleet needs. Budget offices can't approve what you don’t ask for.
- Join an association. Fleet Pros, NAFA, APWA, whatever fits your goals. These groups are growth accelerators.
- Invest in people. Training your team is your best contribution.
- Reflect on your purpose. If you’re unfulfilled, maybe it’s time to step into a bigger role, whether that’s public works, operations, or city leadership.
Final Thoughts: Fleet Isn’t a Dead End. It’s the Launchpad
Fleet professionals manage people, processes, parts, and politics. You’re already operating at a high level of leadership. With the right mindset and mentorship, the path to director, assistant city manager (or even city manager) isn’t a fantasy. It’s a plan.
Start advocating. Start trusting. Start building your replacement.
You’re not “just a fleet manager.” You’re a future leader in the making.